D.J. Trahan and Steve Azar Win Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters

The sun was shining, the stars were out, and the 16th annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am enjoyed one the best days in tournament history.

A sellout crowd of more than 6,000 people packed the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort and Golf to watch a team led by PGA Tour pro D.J. Trahan and country music singer Steve Azar win the event with an 18-under par effort.
 
There was a five-way tie for second at 17-under par. Among the teams in second were squads led by PGA Tour star Jim Furyk and Hootie and the Blowfish lead singer/country music star Darius Rucker, and Myrtle Beach resident/PGA star Dustin Johnson and Hootie drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld.

On an idyllic afternoon in Myrtle Beach, the emphasis for spectators was on star-gazing and autographing hunting. The star-studded field was headlined by the likes of Dan Marino, John Daly and Branford Marsalis.

One of the primary reasons for the event’s popularity is the interaction between the celebrities and fans. The first, fourth and 10th tees were engulfed by fans and celebrities typically signed autographs, posed for pictures, and bantered with the crowd.

The first tee, home of the long drive contest, was anchored by the tournament’s MCs, NBC news anchor Craig Melvin and Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt, who were equal opportunity needlers, making (good-natured) fun of both fans and celebrities. The 10th tee was home to a grill and a pair of guitars that led to impromptu performances by many musicians and some golfers (see John Daly video below).

Fans weren’t the only people flocking to the event. The Golf Channel was in town filming a one-hour special on the tournament, ESPN.com covered the event, and radio stations from New York City, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Columbia broadcast live. Comcast SportsNet-DC was also on-site filming a 30-minute special on Myrtle Beach golf and the tournament.

All proceeds from the event go to the Hootie and The Blowfish Foundation, which benefits education and junior golf in South Carolina.

The 2010 Monday After The Masters Tournament featured one of the most star-laden fields in tournament history. Professional wrestling legend Ric Flair, NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino, former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, NASCAR drivers Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip, and LPGA golfer and Conway native Kristy McPherson played.
 
Representing the music world were country sensations Colt Ford, Jack Ingram and Johnny Lee, R&B singer Javier Colon, singer-songwriter Edwin McCain, musician Branford Marsalis, Alter Bridge drummer Scott Phillips, Andrew Copeland of Sister Hazel and Dan Tyminski of Union Station. Actors included Tom Berenger and Paula Trickey.
 
Former NFL players George Rogers and Sterling Sharpe competed, along with former Major League Baseball stars Mickey Tettleton and Chuck Finley.
 
The PGA Tour was represented by Woody Austin, Ricky Barnes, Ben Bates, Rich Beem, Mark Blakefield, Kris Blanks, Josh Broadaway, Scott Brown, Kris Cox, Chris DiMarco, Ken Duke, Matt Every, Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, Robert Gamez, Bill Kratzert, Cliff Kresge, Spencer Levin, Mark Lye, John Maginnes, William McGirt, Jim McGovern, David Mobley, Garth Mulroy, Larry Rinker, Lee Rinker, Charlie Rymer, Darren Stiles and Nicholas Thompson.

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