FRANKLIN — For the third straight year, Kenny Perry dropped by his hometown of Franklin in hopes of raising a little money and having a little bit of a good time.
Perry hosted the third annual Kenny Perry Charity Golf Scramble on Thursday at Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course. The event benefits the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America.
“It’s just a great week, great tournament,” Perry said. “The turnout’s not as good (today) as I’d have hoped, but we raise all the money for the Boys and Girls Club here in Franklin and that’s something that’s dear to my heart. I’ve been helping ever since we got it going.
“I’m a kid guy. I love the kids. I love giving back to the kids. To me that’s where it’s at. I get the most enjoyment helping the kids.”
While golfers played in hopes of winning a selection of prizes, such as a football signed by University of Kentucky coach Joker Phillips – who was scheduled to attend but could not due to a scheduling conflict – children from the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin were treated to lunch as they waited for a concert by Danville native and country music artist John Michael Montgomery.
It’s the type of day that was hard to come by when he was growing up in the 1970s, Perry said. Now the Boys & Girls Club has a computer lab and a gym to help keep children active.
“When I was raised here, the kids never had anything,” he said. “We either had to go to Bowling Green or Nashville to do stuff. … We just want to get them out being active and interacting with other kids. I think kids are too cooped up nowadays – too much video-gaming, too much in the house and not enough activity.”
As for Perry, Thursday was also a day he said he now favors. The 50-year-old has played in 10 professional events this season – the last being the Travelers Championship this past weekend where he missed the cut – and compared his playing career to a state of limbo.
“I’m just slowing down,” he said. “I’ve traveled and traveled my whole life and been under pressure my whole life. Every shot meant something and I’ve got a lot of gray hairs from all that. I’ve just been enjoying kind of hanging out, kind of sitting back reflecting on my life a little bit and what my future is. And I’m excited, there’s other things I want to do in life besides play golf.”
Playing both PGA Tour Events and Champions Tour events, the former Western Kentucky University golfer has made the cut three times in the 10 events he’s played since January.
“I don’t feel like I belong on the PGA Tour but I don’t feel like I belong on the Champions Tour,” he added. “I’m just trying to find my niche out there right now and just enjoy life a little bit.”
And part of enjoying life for Perry was a day like Thursday, when he was able to take time with old friends and make some new ones by giving some swing pointers on the driving range.
“You know, Franklin’s a small town, small community, so you kind of know everybody,” Perry said. “It’s neat when everybody gets together and tries to make something worthwhile and make it happen.”
By CHAD BISHOP, The Daily News, cbishop@bgdailynews.com/783-3231
Friday, July 1, 2011 11:07 AM CDT
