The 17th annual Doc Ayers/Ray Beck Celebrity Golf Tournament, that benefits the Polk County Community Foundation, Inc., will be held on Friday, May 16 at the Cherokee Golf and Country Club. A shotgun start will be held at 11 a.m. and 30 teams will participate.

“We have room for a few more teams,” Ayers said. To sign-up, call Debra Sims at 770-748-3870.

“A great silent auction that runs all day Friday will be held as well,” Ayers said. “Ann Davidson is in charge of the auction and she has brought in many beautiful portraits of sports celebrities as well as autographed balls and many other items.”

The annual event is held to raise money for the Polk County Community Foundation, Inc., but it would not be possible without two of the biggest names in Northwest Georgia hosting the event.

Howard “Doc” Ayers, one of the hosts, was the head football coach at Cedartown High School in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. His teams won many sub-region and region championships and in 1963 Ayers guided Cedartown to their only state championship.

In 1964, Ayers was hired as the first coach for Vince Dooley when he was hired as the Head Coach for the University of Georgia. Ayers coached until his retirement in 1981. Ayers is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and is very active in state and community services.

Ray Beck, the other host, attended Cedartown High School from 1944-48. From a scrappy 125-pound freshman guard he became one of Cedartown’s all-time great football players. He played guard and end his senior year, calling all offensive and defensive signals.

He went to play football at Georgia Tech where he made All-American. After his college career, Beck played for the New York Giants for four years. Beck is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and a member of the NFL Alumni.

Beck passed away on January 9, 2007.

Some of the sport celebrities attending the event this year are:

Tommy Nobis, an All-American for the Texas Longhorns. First draft choice for the Atlanta Falcons. All-Pro linebacker and played in several pro bowls.

Billy Martin, an All-American end for Georgia Tech. Member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Member of Georgia Tech Hall of Fame. Played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons.

George Patton, an All-American at the University of Georgia. Member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Was a two-time All-American and played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons.

Leon Hardeman, an All-American running back at Georgia Tech.

Ray Donaldson, two-time All-American at the University of Georgia. He spent 17 years in the pro’s and played in six pro bowls.

Wendell Couch, a member of the Golf Hall of Fame and the Chairman of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Jeff Burger, a former Cedartown High standout and an All-SEC quarterback at Auburn.

Pete Cox, an outstanding golfer who won over 100 amateur tournaments and is now a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Bucky Ayers, a defensive back at Auburn University and captain of the Auburn golf team. Ayers was also a golf pro.

Jackie Roberts, an athlete who played at the University of Georgia and is now in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Kermit Perry, an outstanding track and field performer, was also the captain of the University of Georgia track and field team.

Dan Pitts, a former high school football coach who has more wins in the state of Georgia than any other coach.

Preston Herring, a golf pro at Prospect Valley Golf Course.

Jimmy Hightower, a former high school and college coach.

M.L. Langston, golf pro at Cedar Valley Country Club.

Jan Powell, a former lineman at the University of Auburn.

Bill Chappell, a former football coach at Dalton High School who is now in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Ron Bradley, a former basketball coach, who is the winningest basketball coach in Georgia history with 1,280 wins. Holds the national record for consecutive wins on his home court with 129. Member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Ray Lamb, a coach at the University of Georgia.

Kevin Bullard, a long drive professional. A Cedartown High graduate who played briefly in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league organization.

Van Tanner, a golf pro.

Robert Miller, a defensive end for Auburn University.

Elliott Gammage, a former standout football player for the University of Tennessee.

Many other sport stars are scheduled to attend as well.

“It’s going to be an exciting day and for a great cause,” Ayers said. “Even if you do not want to play in the golf tournament, you can still come out and meet a lot of legends and be a part of this wonderful event.”