By Dane Anderson, Staff Writer

A cocktail karaoke party Thursday at El Arroyo restaurant at 1624 W. Fifth St. from 6 p.m. to midnight kicks off the 30th annual Lone Star Classic celebrity golf tournament organized by Westbank native Doug English and hosted by comedian Bill Engvall and his wife, Gail. 

The golf tournament concludes with a comedy awards banquet tomorrow at the Four Seasons Hotel. Funds raised by the popular two-day event help research on treatment for spinal cord injury.

In 1985, Detroit Lions defensive-tackle-turned-nose-tackle English, a former All-American University of Texas player, suffered a career-ending neck injury in a game against the Chicago Bears. English recovered, thanks to state-of-the-art medical treatment. He credits the Ford family, owners of the Lions, with his access to that treatment. 

English’s injury spurred a life-long interest in spinal cord injury and focused him on what he perceived as a disparity in medical treatment available. In 1988, English joined efforts with friend Kent Waldrep in volunteer support of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, a group of people working hard to find a cure for SCI. Waldrep, a quadriplegic and former running back for Texas Christian University, also suffered a devastating injury in a 1974 game against Alabama. Not as lucky as English, Waldrep has been working tirelessly to fund SCI research from a wheelchair for 35 years. 

English considers Waldrep a hero.

“I have been blessed to meet many, many more heroes like him that are living in a wheelchair and inspiring everyone whose lives they touch,” he said.

English and Waldrep hope to raise $250,000 this year for the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, primarily through their biggest fundraiser, the Lone Star Classic tournament. 

“Obviously, you don’t raise that kind of money with the golf game alone,” said English. “The tournament relies on the generosity of many caring friends and neighbors who donate valuable items for our auctions, as well as folks that just send a donation because they read or hear of what we are doing around the Lone Star Classic time and like it.”

English said the largest donations the foundation receives come from individuals who give toward the purchase of certain pieces of equipment or scholarships. 

Engvall believes in the foundation’s goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injury in the next 10 years. He donates time out of his schedule every year to add some humor and sparkle to the golf tournament.

“Initially, we got involved because of our friendship with Doug,” Engvall said. “However, over the years, we have become believers that this is a goal that can be achieved. We are all very excited about the huge leaps that have been made in spinal cord injury research and will continue to lend our support.”

English and Engvall will be joined at the event by former Dallas Cowboy great Walt Garrison, and current and former NFL and Longhorn stars such as Roosevelt Leaks, David McWilliams and Major Applewhite. Guests include actors Burton Gillian and John Castellano and comedians Jackie Flynn and Dave Coulier.  

The tournament begins with a 10 a.m. shotgun start tomorrow. For more information on golf teams and tickets to the banquet, call 673-7823 or visit lonestarparalysis.org.