Local legends again lend their names to Jolly McCarty Tournament

Gautier, Miss. (Feb. 16, 2006) – NFL veterans Shane Matthews and Terrell Buckley have once again teamed up to participate in the annual Jolly McCarty Memorial Golf Tournament.

Family commitments kept them away from the much-anticipated tournament kick-off today, but both men said they are looking forward to the gala and golf classic that bears their names.

“We’re going to make it a fun and exciting event,” Shane said.

Teammates at Pascagoula High School in the late ‘80s, the two became Grid Iron rivals when Terrell went to Florida State and Shane chose Florida. The two later enjoyed separate successes with the NFL. Shane most recently played for the Buffalo Bills, while Terrell postponed his retirement plans to spend a year with the New York Giants.

Now they’re teaming up once again to give back to their hometown by raising money for the Bacot/McCarty Foundation through the Jolly McCarty Memorial Shane Matthews/Terrell Buckley Celebrity Golf Classic. “This is a way that Terrell and I can both give back to the community we grew up in,” Shane said.

Terrell was impressed with last year’s attendance at the gala and tournament. “All the people that showed up shows what kind of heart these folks in south Mississippi have,” he said. “It’s great. It’s a whole community coming together.”

The two used their NFL connections to round up a few dozen celebrity athletes who signed autographs and posed for pictures at the gala, then grabbed their golf clubs and headed out for 18-holes at the award-winning Shell Landing. “I like to have a good time,” Terrell said. “I’m inviting guys who are fun and want to help me and Shane raise money for our hometowns.”

Though both men now live in Florida, they were each touched by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Shane’s father and Terrell’s mother both lost their homes as a result of the storm. Like thousands of others in Jackson County, they are in the process of recovery.

Shane and Terrell would like to see some of the money earmarked for rebuilding efforts. “Hopefully some of the funds can help victims of the hurricane as well,” Shane said.

It is because of the hurricane that Shane is encouraging increased participation in the gala and golf tournament. “With everything everybody has been through on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it will be time to relax, forget about things for a little while and have a good time,” he said.

Golf has become a passion for Terrell and he’s looking forward to facing his former high school teammate and college rival on the green. “Shane is a heck of a golfer,” Terrell said.

The Jolly McCarty Memorial Shane Mathews/Terrell Buckley Celebrity Golf Classic is set for April 29 at Shell Landing Golf Resort. The Isle of Capri Silent Auction and Reception will be hosted at Shell Landing Golf Resort’s new premier restaurant, OPUS. Emcee for the night is WLOX’s Jeff Lawson.