Golf star Jack Nicklaus helps raise money for Detroit Cornerstone Schools

DETROIT (WJBK) - One of the biggest names in the history of sports is in Metro Detroit raising money for a good cause.

Golf icon Jack Nicklaus will headline the Turning Point Invitational at the Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms on Monday to help raise money for Detroit-based Cornerstone Schools.

The event is in its 13th year and was created to help the school reach its fundraising goals.

Nicklaus, who has won 18 professional major-championship titles, spoke of his passion for the children of Detroit at a pre-reception for the event Sunday.

"It's a cause that's important to a friend of mine called Fred Ridley," Nicklaus said. "I don't know if you know Fred or not, but Fred is the former president of the USGA. ... Fred said, 'We're doing an event, to raise a lot of money to help a lot of kids in need in Detroit, will you help?' Fred has done so many favors for me, I said, 'Absolutely, I'm there.'"

The 76-year-old is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, but he said it's his five children who keep him grounded.

"We almost lost one of our daughters actually to choking on a crayon back when she was 11 months old, and she (spent) seven days in the intensive care," he said. "We didn't know whether she would make it or not. And she did make it."

Nicklaus said he's using that experience and his platform to play in the one-day pro-am Invitational at the Country Club of Detroit as part of an effort to raise $3 million for Cornerstone Schools.

"We've been involved with (helping) kids for a long time and we enjoy doing it all over the world," he said.

The goal is to help Cornerstone expand to educate 5,000 children in the city. If you would like to attend the invitational, tickets are available for $30 on the grounds of the Country Club of Detroit starting at 9:30 am. Monday.

The invitational starts at 10 a.m., and if you're there early, you'll be able to catch our FOX 2's own Dan Miller, who is also competing.