Tournament History
The Five Star Celebrity Classic was started in 1989, by Jaime Kaplan, former
professional tennis player, as a 3-day tennis pro-celebrity tournament. While on the WTA Tour, Jaime met several actors and pro athletes who said they were interested in participating in this event to benefit select charities. Names like Franco Harris, Hank Aaron, Tony O’ Dell, Shirley Hemphill, Lyle Waggoner, and many more participated that first year and helped raise $23,000.
In 1991, Five Star Mazda came aboard and the Five Star Mazda Celebrity Classic was born. When golf was added in 1992, Macon native Kevin Brown started playing in the tournament. As his career blossomed, his involvement in the event did as well. After a few years, his name was added to the event.
In 2015, Macon native and PGA Pro Russell Henley joined the tournament and a third golf course was added to accommodate the growing event.
In thirty-four years, this event has netted over $12,600,000 for charities in middle Georgia.