Golf entertainer Joey ‘O’ to perform at GCRO
Marion, Iowa // July 9, 2014
World renowned golf entertainer and award-winning author Joey “O” will give two free performances later this month at the 16th annual Greater Cedar Rapids Open (GCRO) at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion.
The truly impressive acrobatic golf feats of the Cedar Rapids native will be one of the highlights of this year’s 54-hole tournament, which begins with an invitation-only tee-off dinner on Tuesday, July 22. Two pro-am tournaments will be held Wednesday, July 23, followed by the tournament Thursday, July 24, through Saturday, July 26. The tournament is ending on Saturday for the first time in its history.
Described by many as one of the best entertainers in the world, including golf professionals and celebrities like the late Bob Hope, Joey “O” is looking forward to the event. Usually performing in front of corporate or club audiences where the public is not invited, he says doing his show in front of hometown friends will be special.
“I love performing in town,” said Joey “O”, who has been showcasing his talents for more than 35 years. “I always welcome the chance whenever I get to perform (in the Cedar Rapids area). It will be good to see all my friends from Iowa. It’s an opportunity to give happiness, make people smile and laugh and entertain them.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said the 1980 University of Iowa graduate. “(Most) people don’t get a chance to see what I do. This is an opportunity to make a lot of people in my hometown smile.”
Joey “O”, who in his earlier years trained 14 hours a day to hone his talents, has cut back a little in that category. Joey “O”, 56, comes back to Cedar Rapids in the summer and, in fact, was doing one of his training sessions hitting balls at St. Andrews Golf Club in Cedar Rapids before rain curtailed things. He spends his winters, when he’s not performing, in Mesa, Arizona.
Also an award-winning author of the inspirational book “The Dream Seed,” which has more than 250,000 copies in print, Joey “O” has performed at many PGA Tour stops, including the Phoenix Open and the New Orleans HP Classic, and has been chronicled in Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, Golf Digest Japan, Golf Illustrated and Arizona Golfer.
“Joey ‘O’ is a true entertainer,” former PGA Tour player and now golf analyst Peter Jacobsen is quoted as saying on joeyogolf.com. “(He’s) always ready with a smile, very engaging and wonderful with people of all ages. One of the most incredible displays of golfing talent I’ve ever seen. A great show!” Tournament co-founder Jim McPartland said the GCRO is ecstatic about sponsoring Joey “O’s” appearance.
“By allowing people to come out and see Joey ‘O’ perform for free, we’re just standing by a couple of the main principals for why we hold this tournament each year,” said McPartland. “We’re promoting the game of golf and giving back to our community – and with one of our very own.
“Joey ‘O’ is from here and he’s made himself a career of entertaining many, many people through the game of golf,” he continued. “It couldn’t be a better fit for us.”
The Joey “O” shows will be at 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, and 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 23. The GCRO has dubbed Wednesday “Kids Day.” All kids in attendance will receive a complimentary copy of The Dream Seed. The book distribution is sponsored by Dr. Jeffery Wilharm.
“It’s a true story and I wrote it because I’ve been so grateful for the life I’ve lived, which is the life I imagined living,” said Joey “O” of the book, which has a forward by his late friend, Bob Hope. “I thought I could help people live their dream, live the life they imagined.”
For more information about the GCRO, visit www.gcropen.com. To volunteer, send an email to gcropen@gmail.com. You also may contact Jim McPartland at 319.310.5745. For more information about Joey “O”, visit www.joeyogolf.com.