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Titans offensive lineman Michael Roos, who always finds himself front and center at these events, spoke about the classic. "Anything I can do to help out, especially for a great cause. Golf is a fun game and we come out here in nice weather and have fun with some of the guys," Roos said before teeing off at 11 a.m.
Roos agreed with the masses that punter Craig Hentrich was the best player, but when asked who the worst was he simply replied. "It may be me."
Defensive back Nick Harper commented on the game of golf. "Football is a team sport," Harper stated. "Golf, you are out here by yourself and when you make a bad shot, everybody knows."
Harper also commented on playing with Craig Hentrich.
"You know I played with him one time, and after the third hole I was ready to quit. I got tired of seeing him hit perfect shot after perfect shot." Harper laughed. "Next year, I am going to buy a group and recruit him (Hentrich) and every punter from every other team and we are going to win this tournament."
Head Coach Jeff Fisher met with the press before the Classic and had a chance to speak about the game. "You know, I always wanted to work for a head coach that was a golfer. Now that I have a chance, I don't have time," Fisher quipped. "If I have some coaches that are playing pretty good golf, then I may have to reevaluate their off-season."
It was Coach Fisher's job during the Classic to extend each teams second shot on the par five 15th hole, where each group had their team photo taken with Fisher.
Hentrich played with Dr. David Kemp's team, composed of four great golfers who play together on a regular basis. Dr. Kemp's team has won the Titans Charity Golf Classic six times in 10 years and claimed this year's event by a four-stroke margin with a score of 53. Dr. Kemp has fielded the same team for each of his six tournament wins. Dr. Johnny King, James McCord and Nick Shelton joined Kemp to receive six first-place trophies since 1999.
This marks the third time that Hentrich has been a member of Kemp's winning team. Head Coach Jeff Fisher was a Kemp team member for two of his wins with special teams coach Alan Lowry the Titans celeb for Kemp's other victory.
Hentrich still enjoys playing the course for a good cause.
"Golf has been my passion for a long time," Hentrich said. "I enjoy playing in these tournaments for a lot of reasons. First, it is for a great cause; and second you get to meet some great people and we have a lot of fun out here. It doesn't matter which charity you are playing for because you remember that it is for a good cause."
Hentrich also spoke about retaining the title after quarterback Kerry Collins' team won the Classic last season. "It's going to be easier this year because Kerry has been giving me grief all year," Hentrich said. "It will be a little easier for me in the locker room this year."
"This is just a great tournament," Kemp stated. "The Titans do a great job; we are delighted to be a part of it. This is a great event. We are always happy to give back and are delighted to be a part of this community. We are so thankful that the Titans are able to put on an event like this. What a great opportunity for us to give back to the community."
Dr. Kemp also enjoyed Head Coach Jeff Fisher's help on the 15th hole. "We absolutely enjoyed his help. We made an eagle on the hole."
More than $1.3 million dollars has been raised for charity since the tournament's inaugural event in 1999 with this year's total expected to be near $100,000 for the Titans Foundation!
