Darrel Chaney, born March 9, 1948, in Hammond, Indiana, is an American former player/announcer in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves from 1969 to 1979. In the early 1980s he worked for the Braves as an announcer along with Ernie Johnson, Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren. He was on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network as well as WTBS-TV. Chaney was a graduate of Morton High School in Hammond, Indiana, where he was a three-sport athlete and an All-American football player and was named the Northwest Indiana Times Athlete of the Year in 1966. His wife Cindy is also from Hammond and is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School.  He had several football scholarship offers from Big Ten schools but signed with Ball State University because there he could play both football and baseball. However, he was selected by the Reds in the second round of the 1966 draft.  Darrel broke through and led the Southern League with 23 home runs in 1968, earning him a spot on the Reds' roster in 1969. Chaney continued with the Reds in the 1970s. Darrel played in three World Series for the Reds' "Big Red Machine" teams, in 1970 and 1972 and on the World Series-winning team of 1975.  Chaney said he was fortunate to be part of the "Big Red Machine," the team included Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Joe Morgan."We were the best team in that era and I was glad and fortunate to be a part of it," Chaney said. "Three World Series and one world championship. Not bad."  Chaney was traded to Atlanta after the 1975 season and in 1976 batted .252 with one home run and 50 RBI as the Braves' regular shortstop.  In 915 career games, Chaney hit for a .217 batting average, with 14 home runs, 190 runs batted in,
237 runs scored, 458 hits, 75 doubles, 17 triples and 19 stolen bases. 
It is because of Darrel Chaney that we have the pleasure to enjoy this tournament every year and without him this event would not be possible. Your host Darrel works many hours to ensure this event is the best it can possibly be. Thank you Darrel.
Darrel has been a motivational and inspirational speaker since 1969 and is available to speak on a wide range of topics. From church
​groups to corporate meetings to national conventions and appearances,
Darrel will inspire and motivate your audience to recognize their own significance.
The United Way of White County Celebrity Golf Committee wants to say Thank You "Darrel Chaney" for your continued leadership with the United Way Celebrity Golf tournament. Darrel started this tournament over 23 years ago with a couple of players. To date, this tournament has become one of the most popular tournaments in North Georgia, raising over 60K each year for United Way of White County. Celebrities come from all over the country each year to participate. The committee has changed the name of this tournament in recognition of Darrel to
​"The Darrel Chaney Invitational". "The Darrel Chaney Invitational" Benefitting the United Way of White County! ​

Schedule & Information

Monday, April 14th, 2025
  • 3:00 PM Hotel Check-In at Holiday Inn & Suites, Helen GA
  • 6:00 PM Tourney Kick-Off, Ice Breaker and "Meet the Celebrities" at Bigg Daddys (Public Invited)
Tuesday, April 15th, 2025
  • 8:00 AM Registration/Breakfast at Valhalla Golf Club Opens
  • 8:30 AM Shotgun Start
  • 12:00 NOON Lunch
  • 6:00 PM Awards Dinner & Auction at Holiday Inn & Suites  / Helen Convention Center
ABOUT  THE  COURSE Valhalla Golf Club is nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, a scenic drive from Atlanta. The facility is located in the Alpine community of Helen and offers some of the most breathtaking mountain views in Georgia. Valhalla Golf Club is a championship golf course designed by Bill Watts and was voted "One of the Best Resort Courses in the Country" by GOLF DIGEST. Valhalla Golf Club was designed to be a challenging round for the avid golfer, as well as a pleasant round for the novice while keeping the natural terrain with its abundance of local wildlife.
Team Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams

Darryl Chaney Invitational Sponsors

The United Way of White County is thrilled to have an amazing group of sponsors for the 2025 Darrel Chaney Invitational. We truly wish especially to thank BitRail for being our title sponsor for 2025.

Become A Sponsor

Email or fax it back to Carol Powell [email protected] or fax 706 878 2331
Sponsorship & Participation
Platinum $5000 or above
  • Sponsor identification on all advertising
  • Sponsor identification on signage at events
  • One team (3 participants each) with a celebrity captain
  • 12 Tickets to VIP Reception
  • 12 Tickets to Awards Dinner and Celebrity Auction
  • Sponsor listed in program
  • Golf Cart Sponsor with Video on Cart
Gold $1,000 to $4,999 
  • One team (3 participants each) with a celebrity captain
  • 8 Tickets to VIP Reception
  • 8 Tickets to Awards Dinner and Celebrity Auction
  • Corporate name in programs
  • Golf Cart Sponsor with Video on Cart
  • Sponsor listed in program
Teams $675
  • One team (3 participants each) with a celebrity captain
  • 3 Tickets to Awards Dinner and Celebrity Auction
  • * Individual registrations may be available - Call for details.
More information call Bill Sutton at 706-244-6717 or Judy Granger at 706 892-6507

Valhalla Golf Club

The home of the The Darrel Chaney Invitational is the beautiful Valhalla Golf Club in Helen Georgia. Valhalla Golf Club is nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, but still a scenic drive from Atlanta. The facility is located in the Alpine community of Helen and offers some of the most breathtaking mountain views in Georgia.
Valhalla Golf Club is a championship golf course designed by Bill Watts and was voted "One of the Best Resort Courses in the Country" by Golf Digest. Valhalla Golf Club was designed to be a challenging round for the avid golfer, as well as a pleasant round for the novice while keeping the natural terrain with its abundance of local wildlife.
To get a hole by hole view and learn more about the this wonderful course visit the Valhalla Golf Club GA website

Rocky Shipes- Trick Shot Champion

On hand at the Darrel Chaney Invitational event this year will be Rocky "Rockstar" Shipes.
Rocky is a four-sport collegiate athlete, three sport pro athlete, five-time trick shot champion with three world records, and a pro golfer with twenty pro wins after the age of 50. Also, a former pastor and firefighter with three amazing kids who were D1 multi-sport athletes. 
Rocky will entertain us with an exhibition prior to the shotgun start and also hit participants drives for charitable donations on a par 4 or par 5. In the event that he gets get a hole in one on a par 4 the foursome will win Master’s tickets.

Special Events

There are several special events that coincide with the The Darrel Chaney Invitational.
1) Tournament Kick-Off, Ice Breaker and “Meet the Celebrities” at Bigg Daddys (Public Invited)
Come along along mingle, meet and greet all the celebrities coming to the event at Bigg Daddys. Commencing at 5.00pm its sure to be loads of fun and good times as old friends meet up and new friendships are found.
Bigg Daddys - Monday 14th April 2025 6.00pm
807 Edelweiss Strauss
Helen, GA 30545
(706) 878-2739
www.biggdaddys.com
2) Registration/Biscuit Breakfast at Valhalla Golf Club (Players & Guests Only)
Get up and going early for the big day with breakfast at the Valhalla Golf Club (Dont forget shotgun start at 9.00am)
Valhalla Golf Club - Tuesday 15th April 2025 8.00am. 
664 Bahn Innsbruck
Helen, GA 30545-2929 (706) 878-2106 
www.valhallaresorthotel.com
3) VIP Reception (Invitation only) ~ Awards Dinner & Celebrity Auction at Holiday Inn & Suites (Tickets Available)
Sponsored by BiggDaddys Tavern
Holiday Inn & Suites - Tuesday 15th April 2025 6.00pm
8100 South Main Street
Helen, GA 30545 
(706) 878 2201
www.ihg.com/helen