Charities big winner in Johnson, Lachey golf tournament

NEW YORK (Feb. 2, 2009) — Three-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey teed-off in their second annual Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic at the TPC Tampa Bay Golf Club this past Super Bowl weekend. Proceeds from the event totaled close to $200,000 and will benefit multiple charities including the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Nick Lachey Foundation, the March of Dimes, the Boys and Girls Club and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Joining Lachey and Johnson on the green were stars of stage, screen and sport, including Jerry Rice, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Ken Griffey Jr., Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz, NSync’s Chris Kirkpatrick, Drew Lachey, New York Giants’ Justin Tuck, New York Jets’ Jay Feely, and NASCAR’s Brian Vickers. Super Skins weekend kicked off at a special pre-party at the Hula Bay Club on Friday evening. "Both Jimmie and myself were blown away by the support we got at this year’s Super Skins," Lachey said. "We are facing tough times where, unfortunately, important charitable and non-profit organizations get hit the hardest. We are so thankful to all the celebrities who came out and our supporters for helping Super Skins have another successful year and driving much needed funds to causes that so desperately need them." “The way our racing season falls, the Super Bowl is always one of the sporting events I get to enjoy," Johnson said. "Now that Nick and I started Super Skins, the weekend has taken on a whole new meaning. Again, we want to thank everyone who supported our efforts this entire weekend and helped to get some well deserved funds to some great organizations." Super Skins partnered with Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Bank for the Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic. “Fifth Third is thrilled to be a part of this event,” said Brian Keenan, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank - Tampa Bay Affiliate. “It is an honor to partner with this amazing group of celebrities to give back to so many worthy causes.” The Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic challenged celebrities to win individual holes in a team-skins format. Winning celebrities played for a charity of their choice including: Ken Griffey Jr for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Tim Brown for the Tim Brown Foundation, Marcus and Brian Giles for the 1st Touch Foundation and the March of Dimes (in honor of Lundyn Giles), Nick Lachey for the Nick Lachey Foundation, Jimmie Johnson and Brian Vickers for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Rob Konrad for the Miami Dolphins Foundation, Jay Feely for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Greg Raymer for the Bubel Aiken Foundation, Jamie Moyer for The Moyer Foundation, Anthony Munoz for the Anthony Munoz Foundation and John Smoltz for the John Smoltz Foundation. The Annual Super Skins Super Bowl weekend will continue on to Miami in 2010. For further information on Super Skins weekend, go to www.superskinsgolf.com.