Irish Legends Golf Classic tees off

BRIDGMAN, Mich. -- The legends started to roll in on Sunday night in preparation for Monday's Irish Legends Golf Classic.

The event supports three charities: Kelly Cares, Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and the Lou Holtz Charitable Foundation.

ABC 57 News got a behind the scenes look at how the legends and the golf course are preparing for Monday's big event.

"I love the game of golf," said former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz. "I'm not very good. I got mad and threw my clubs and a guy once said, 'you're not good enough to do that. you're a bad golfer and the minute you understand that you'll enjoy it."

Coach Holtz teed off the golf tournament a bit early by playing a round of golf with some old friends on Sunday afternoon at the Lost Dunes Golf Club.

"It's a great opportunity for three coaches to get together," said Holtz. "I love Ara and we exchange ideas and visit with Brian Kelly. People come back; I have friends from Orlando who come up; so it's just a great time for a great cause."

Event officials said they expect about 150 people to participate in the round of golf and about 200 people for the dinner and auction. With all proceeds going to the charities, the Irish classic has become a new tradition.

"I really enjoy it, " said Holtz. "You know for me to leave my wife for a few days takes an act of congress but she heartily endorses it because she knows I enjoy it and what a great cause it is."