Celebrities Hit the Links for Kidney Disease

Golf addict Cheech Marin said he came for his fix, but he and more than a dozen other celebrities also were motivated by a higher goal: kidney disease research.

Marin, Jack Nicholson, Marcus Allen and others put their love for golf and children on display at the fourth annual Hard Rock Cafe Celebrity Golf Tournament at Sherwood Country Club Monday.

In the process, they raised about $370,000 for children’s kidney research, said Sterling Ball, the event’s organizer.

Ball, whose 10-year-old son Casey suffers from kidney disease, said this year’s event was the most successful ever. “I think it was incredible,” he said.

Tournament supporter Bill Murray described the day’s event simply. “It’s a win-win situation,” the comic actor said. “It’s what we call a no-brainer in the celebrity golf world.”

All proceeds from Monday’s event, including entry fees and corporate sponsorships, will benefit the UCLA Children’s Hospital, where Ball’s son was diagnosed with his condition. The tournament has raised more than $1 million for the hospital in the last four years.

Ball, president of guitar company Ernie Ball Inc., has done more than raise money for kidney disease research. Four years ago he donated his kidney to save his son’s life.

Rock singer Alice Cooper, a regular at charity golf events, said this tournament is different because of Ball’s dedication to his son.

“The fact that he gave a kidney for his son, that buys a lot of respect,” Cooper said.

But Cooper clearly was motivated by the means as well as the ends of the tournament.

“What’s the best thing in the world?” he asked.

He answered, without missing a beat, “You play golf and raise money for sick kids or charities.”

While the day was mostly about giving, there was the scent of competition in the air.

Second and third shots were not uncommon, and a few errant ball were nudged by clubs, as well as shoes.

But, in the end, the day was about fund-raising--and golf. “I’m addicted to golf,” said Marin, who co-starred in the golf film “Tin Cup.”

“But it’s also a chance to use your celebrity for a purpose.”