A Summer on the Green With Vlasic Classic Charity Golf Tour

The Vlasic Classic golf tour is growing into a uniquely powerful networking
event. Founded by cannabis entrepreneur Willy Vlasic, the annual nationwide
charity golf tournament is a movement built on purpose, community and
philanthropy, all while spending a day on the green—literally and
figuratively.

Now in its third year, Vlasic Classic supports organizations like the Last
Prisoner Project and Freedom Grow to secure the freedom of those unjustly
incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses. The tour made stops in both
Michigan and Missouri, bringing together industry leaders for a weekend of
golf, connection and charity.

*The Michigan Classic*

The first stop was the Cardinal Golf Course at St. John’s Resort in
Plymouth, Michigan, on June 28. The venue was a deliberate choice, as the
resort itself is a nonprofit, with all funds supporting local and
international humanitarian efforts.

As one participant noted, it’s rare for cannabis brands to get to play on
such an impeccable course, and the opportunity was not lost on the
attendees. The location also holds a key connection to the broader golf
world, as the course is a host for the LIV Golf Team Championship, making
it a powerful landmark in both the sports and cannabis spaces.

The atmosphere was a unique blend of professionalism and personal touch.
The entire event was a family affair, produced with the intimate, hands-on
involvement of Willy Vlasic and his team. Willy’s father and nephew even
came out to welcome players before the first tee-off. This personal touch
extended to every detail, from the laid-back, friendly atmosphere to the
generous and thoughtfully curated gift bags.

Beyond the course, the event included a lively welcome party sponsored by
Kushy Punch and a culminating after-party at Willy’s home, complete with a
live rosin-press demo by Access Rosin, pizza and a DJ. It was a perfect mix
of a professional, large-scale event with a personal, communal feel.

Activations at every hole—from a longest-putt contest with a weed stalk
putter to a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge—kept the energy high, all while
driving donations to the cannabis prisoners’ cause.

The blend of local Michigan brands, such as hardware company Vapin’ Ape,
and national companies like Sweed, an e-commerce platform for dispensaries,
also facilitated valuable interstate networking opportunities.

“Willy and his team put on an incredible event,” says Kellen O’Keefe,
president of Sweed. “What’s really great is that we’re dealing with the
decision-makers. We’re going straight to the qualified purchasers and the
people that we’re looking to sit down with. To be able to play golf with
them for four hours and talk about our product is an amazing opportunity.

Brandy, an account executive for Northern Michigan at Kushy Punch, echoed
the sentiment. “This is my second Vlasic event, and business-wise, today
went really well,” she said. “There’s a lot of really good possibilities
and potentials available, especially for Kushy Punch, just being able to
kind of re-establish themselves.”

Alex Sturton, owner of Vapin’ Ape, highlighted the shared values, saying,
“We really like the intersection of sports and cannabis of the Vlasic
Classic. There are a lot of people who like to smoke and go and participate
in something competitive.”
*The Missouri Classic*

The Third Annual Missouri Vlasic Classic continued the mission August 22-24
with a weekend of golf, fun and philanthropy at Old Kinderhook. The event
was a testament to the community’s support, with 124 golfers and 37
sponsors, representing over $1 billion in annual revenue from across the
Missouri cannabis industry and beyond.

The tournament’s playful energy, featuring rocket ball launchers, drone
drops and a “Beat the Pro” hole, was balanced by its serious philanthropic
goals. The event successfully raised over $16,000, with $10,000 going to
Freedom Grow, $5,000 to the Last Prisoner Project, and $1,300 to Deshaun
Durham to help him start his pre-law degree. The weekend culminated with a
huge raffle, including a 3-day golf trip to Kiawah Island.
*A Champion’s Perspective: An Interview With Ricky Williams*

Among the sponsors in Missouri was Highsman, the cannabis brand founded by
NFL legend and Heisman and NFL MVP winner, Ricky Williams, one of the
pioneers of the evolving relationship between professional sports and
cannabis advocacy.

Williams sees his partnership with Vlasic Classic as more than just a
business move; it’s an extension of his life’s work. “I’ve never seen
cannabis as just a brand play; it’s always been about healing and making
things right after decades of prohibition,” he says.

For Williams, Highsman’s support for the Last Prisoner Project and Freedom
Grow isn’t charity, but “justice in action.” He believes in the power of an
event like this to create real equity in the industry, and it’s a mission
that resonates deeply with him.

The vibe on the course was a perfect representation of Williams’s brand
ethos, “Spark Greatness.” He says that the atmosphere was one of “pure
competition, but with a lot of laughs and good energy.” He believes this is
the “sweet spot” where having fun and pushing yourself can be done for a
larger purpose. “As an athlete, I know connection comes from playing
together, and when that same spirit fuels philanthropy, the impact is
real,” he says.

When discussing the impact of the Vlasic Classic, Ricky Williams emphasizes
that “impact is what matters.” He finds it deeply meaningful to see
tangible results from the event’s fundraising efforts. “When I see real
dollars going to free people and support equity in this industry, that’s
when advocacy earns respect,” he says. “It’s powerful to watch change
actually happen. That’s what keeps me grounded in the work.”

Williams believes that the cross-state unity on display at the Vlasic
Classic is “absolutely essential” for the future of the industry. “It’s how
we create scalable change, shift public perception, and level the playing
field,” he says. “When industry players join forces across borders, we’re
not just growing revenue—we’re rewriting the rules for equity, access and
innovation.”

For a man who has constantly challenged norms, from his football career to
his personal life, being an advocate in the cannabis space is a natural
fit. “I’m not here just to put my name on things, I’m here to disrupt, to
empower and to be real,” Williams says. “It’s about paving a new path so
the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles.”
*The Power of the Green*

The Vlasic Classic is about so much more than a golf tournament. As Willy
Vlasic stated, their mission will continue “until everyone is released from
prison for non-violent cannabis offenses.” It’s a bold promise that is
being backed up by real action, one swing, one sponsor and one freed
prisoner at a time.

The event is a celebration of the power of the cannabis community, showing
that when the industry comes together for a purpose, it can make a tangible
difference that resonates far beyond the green.

The next round of the Vlasic Classic gold tournament tees off again on
November 8 at Vegas Vlasic Classic with Nuwu. Expect a day filled with
golf, good causes and a whole lot of green at the The Wolf Course at Paiute
Resort.

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