The 21st edition of Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic, held May 30-31 at the Riverwind Casino in Norman, Okla., has raised $1.4 million for charity.
The Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic was started 21 years ago as a way to continue the foundation’s charitable endeavors. The event has raised a total of $20 million to date. Keith calls his charitable efforts “my best gift I’ve ever given to the world.” The country legend died on Feb. 5, 2024 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer.
The annual event raises money for the Toby Keith Foundation, which Keith started in 2006. Through that organization, Keith opened the OK Kids Korral in 2014 — an organization which still provides aid to children and families who are receiving medical care for critical illnesses.
The gala raised more than $100,000 in the first two minutes alone, per a press release. This year’s classic was hosted by Keith’s friend Sammy Hagar, who donated $10,000 during the annual gala. An additional $25,000 was donated by Keith’s widow Tricia Covel, as well as another generous $25,000 anonymous donation. Hagar said: “Now that’s the way to start a fundraiser! I had a blast … would be happy to do it again. Toby would’ve done that and more for me any day.”
In addition, a live auction generated $600,000, with items up for bids including a Toby Keith Limited Edition Military Guitar (which went for $35,000) and a cowboy hat autographed by George Strait, which sold for $7,000.
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