Just before history is made at Bristol Motor Speedway with the MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com on Saturday, August 2nd, the BMS chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities is hoping to set a record of their own for a golf charity event as they host the Speedway Charity Classic Golf Tournament on Monday, July 28, at the spectacular Olde Farm Golf Club in Bristol, Virginia.
The ultra-private, beautifully manicured Bobby Weed-designed 6,857-yard masterpiece will provide a stern test for all participants in the Speedway Charity Classic Golf Tournament. The tournament is being sponsored by Gregory Pharmaceuticals (UPM Pharmaceuticals and Blue Emu) and Baker’s Construction Services. Other sponsors for the event include Food City, who will serve as the Long Barn Sponsor; HS Williams as the Prize Sponsor; Ballad Health, who will participate as the Golf Cart Sponsor. Turtleson is the tournament’s gift partner.
The celebrity-focused tournament is being hosted by Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet who competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. Other celebrities who are entered in the event include fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie and four former Major League Baseball players. Those are Madison Younginer, Chadwick Bell, Jimmy Gobble and Kurt Seibert.
Younginer, from Augusta, Ga., pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 2016 and was drafted in the 2009 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants on minor league contracts.
Bell, from Knoxville, Tenn., was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2007 MLB Draft but didn’t sign and played for the Walters State Community College team. In 2008 he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians but also didn’t sign. He finally signed in the 2010 draft with the Texas Rangers. They traded him to the Detroit Tigers where he made his MLB debut in 2017 and pitched in 28 games during his time with the Tigers. In 2018 Bell was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and spent time in their minor system with the Gwinnett Stripers.
Gobble, from Bristol, Tenn., played in the majors with the Kansas City Royals in 2008 and the Chicago White Sox in 2009. After attending John Battle High School in Bristol, Virginia and recording a career total of 512 strikeouts in four seasons and three state tournament appearances, he attended the University of Kentucky before being drafted by the Royals. Gobble also signed minor league contracts with the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies before retiring.
Seibert from Cheverly, Md., played second base for the Chicago Cubs in September 1979. After attending Clemson University, Seibert was drafted by the Cubs in third round of the 1976 draft. The switch-hitter, who threw right-handed, played in seven games for the Cubs during his monthlong tenure with the team.
Team sponsors for the captain’s choice event include Sturdy Lite, Coca-Cola, Bank of Marion, JA Street and Associates, Clineholder Electric, Speedway Motorsports, Stowers CAT, Acorn Electrical and Mycroft Signs.
Tickets are available for the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway, a regular season game featuring the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, Aug. 2nd. The game is the first regular season game to be played in the state of Tennessee. Prior to the game fans are encouraged to explore a 220,000-square foot Fan Zone that opens at noon, and then just prior to the start of the game, a concert headlined by country legend Tim McGraw with special guests Pitbull and Jake Owen will get everyone’s engines revved up for some thrilling baseball.
To purchase tickets to the game please visit the MLB Speedway Classic website.
For more information about the golf tournament, please contact Betsy Holleman at 423-631-8171.
About SCC-Bristol
The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a 501©(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising funds for distribution to children-based nonprofit organizations, was established in 1997. Since its inception, the chapter has raised more than $21 million, awarding grants annually to more than 80 qualified child-focused organizations in the 18-county area surrounding Bristol Motor Speedway. The board of trustees for the Bristol Chapter consists of 18 members, a diverse group of individuals from across the region with wide-ranging backgrounds. The trustees, two staff members and more than 300 volunteers are responsible for hosting numerous events at Bristol Motor Speedway and throughout the Bristol (Tennessee/Virginia) community. For more information about the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, visit speedwaycharities.org/bristol.
