Nashville teed-off last Thursday, April 1, 2010, at the Hermitage Golf Course to show their support at the 10th Annual Waddell & Reed Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Fifty teams of four participated in the event with 32 celebrities joining sponsors and members of the community. Golfers played 18 holes on the picturesque course just outside Nashville and, hosts with the most, sharing in the fun, were the dynamic country music duo, Burns & Poe.

I find this kind of participation and friendship the greatest part of Nashville and the music industry.” Michelle Poe said. “Coming out, meeting fans and lending a hand, all in fun, to raise money is just one of the reasons I love this town!”

“My mother has rheumatoid arthritis and raising money for that charity in particular, which is so important to me personally, made the event even more special,” Keith Burns added. “Calling on friends to work AND play together strengthens country music, makes me happy and does leaps and bounds for the charities.”

Joining Burns & Poe and representing some of Music City’s best were legends Steve Cropper, Larry Gatlin, and Marty Raybon, award-wining songwriters and artists Ira Dean and Eric Heatherly, members of Ricochet, The Roys, Little Texas, LoCash Cowboys, The Grascals, Bo Bice,  Danielle Peck, Dustin Wilkes, Shane Thomas, Matt Gary, Lathan Moore, Scott Lindsey and Brother Trouble. Titan Craig Hendrix and LPGA golfer Clarissa Childs were among the athletes who lent their talents to the game.

Following golf, team members and attendees bid on unique memorabilia donated from Music Row. With the donations, participation fees and live auction items, nearly $20,000 was raised for The Arthritis Foundation and Christmas 4 Kids Inc. The item bringing the biggest price tag ($2,700) was a Rascal Flatts concert/bus trip (including an opportunity to join the guys on their road home). Dan Post Boot Co. also donated an assortment of boots to winning players.

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