Throughout his life, Jim Valvano kept a list of things he wanted to do on note cards in his pocket.  The last note card Pam Valvano pulled out of Jim’s sport coat pocket read, “find a cure for cancer.” Jim dreamed of an event that would raise significant funds for cancer research.  Fourteen years ago, that dream became a reality in the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic.

The Golf Classic weekend has been called “A Magical Weekend” by many.  When you mix together generous sponsors and outgoing celebrities, tug on a few heartstrings, and play lots of golf, you will surely find yourself having nothing short of a magical weekend. And proudly, we announce that after fifteen years of magical Golf Classic weekends, we have raised over fourteen million dollars for cancer research.  Those dollars help fund research grants at scientific and medical facilities nationwide that will one day help us reach Jim’s ultimate goal of finding a cure for cancer!

We have ALL been touched by cancer.  We have learned that what makes our event so unique is how personal the weekend has become. That’s why we believe that “Cancer is about people.” It’s about our parents and our children, our neighbors and our friends. It has touched our clients, it has touched our co-workers, and for some of us, it has touched that face in the mirror. Beyond all of the science and the statistics, the medicine and the treatments, are the people, their challenges and their triumphs.  The cures for cancer will be found in laboratories and research hospitals, but the battle against cancer is fought in neighborhoods like ours.  We have all been affected by this disease. By participating in The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic you CAN make a difference in this fight!

We invite you to join us for our sixteenth magical weekend as The Classic returns to the Triangle and a new venue!  In 2009, we are excited to hold the golfing portion of our event at the new Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NCSU’s Centennial Campus while our Wine dinner and Gala will both be held at the new Raleigh Convention Center.  As is tradition, the 2009 ESPN Presents the Pre-V event will again be played Ryder Cup-style on Pinehurst’s preeminent No. 2. For the first time, the ESPN Pre-V event will be open to any and all who would like to participate.  (see sponsorship page for details) The 2009 Classic, which will be held August 12-16th, offers a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities to both corporate and individual sponsors. Please visit our sponsorship page to find out details regarding our sponsorship packages, or feel free to or call 919.319.0441.

We cannot wait to see you!

Come help us raise money to find a cure for cancer;

See your old friends, make some new friends, and play a little golf too!

The Original Lemonade Kids

Every dollar given and every donation can make a difference.

The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic is well known for its generous sponsors, celebrities, and volunteers that have worked hard since 1994 to make the Classic a success. Yet since 1996, another group of hard-working people have donated their time and efforts to the cause.

The Lemonade Kids are a group of children from three different families who sell lemonade to thirsty golfers each year during the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. There is no set price for the lemonade, the kids accept any donations offered, and then give their donations to the Classic. This tradition that began in 1996 has since made about $2,500 dollars, a fine accomplishment considering that these proceeds are made from donations at a lemonade stand on one green at Prestonwood Country Club.

The idea of a lemonade stand began when Hannah Rafols, then age five, asked her mother if she could set up a lemonade stand for the participants in the Nike Tournament at Prestonwood Country Club. Her mother, Jennifer Rafols, agreed. When the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic began, they again decided to set up a lemonade stand and felt the money earned should be given to the fight to find a cure for cancer. Since 1996, they have set up shop at the 17th green, serving their ice cold, refreshing lemonade to cool off the Classic's participants.

The Lemonade Kids are Hannah Rafols, Haley Rafols, Sarah Parker, David Englert, Michael Englert, and Christopher Englert. One of the original seven kids, Ashley Parker, has since "retired" from her duties at the lemonade stand.

When asked about their favorite part of being the Lemonade Kids, the children answered that they enjoy meeting the different celebrities. Mothers Jennifer Rafols and Sue Englert said that they truly enjoy doing the lemonade stand each year, as they have both known people touched by cancer, and they feel that every dollar earned and donated can somehow make a difference.

The Lemonade Kids are a shining example of the hard work and generosity that so many people put forth into the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. This unique, seven year old tradition will hopefully continue for years to come. So spread the word about the extra special lemonade on the 17th green of the "Highlands" during the Classic, and keep your eyes peeled for The Lemonade Kids!

Since this story was first printed, we have had an overwhelming number of lemonade stands pop up on the Prestonwood golf courses the weekend of The Classic.  To all of you kids that are out in the hot sun selling lemonade to raise money for cancer, thank you!  You too ARE making a difference!