PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — Before approaching their first tee shots, golfers paid homage to one of the first Vikings.

When Vikings Legends joined partners for the annual Minnesota Vikings Foundation Golf Tournament last month, John Randle opened the pristine day with a moment of silence for Jim Marshall, who had passed away the day before at age 87.

Marshall's impact on the Vikings organization — which included starting every game of the franchise's entire first two decades — and Twin Cities community through philanthropy reverberates still.

"Jim was not just another Viking. He was a guy who would help me immensely on and off the field. Jim was a man's man, and I miss him dearly. I think most of all, Jim was the pedestal of the Minnesota Vikings," Randle addressed the group. "We know he got here in the beginning, and he helped establish this organization. And most guys out here, we all think about offense and stuff like that, but for me, it's defense, and we wouldn't be who we are without the Purple People Eaters and especially Jim Marshall."

It was a fitting tribute for Marshall, who co-founded The Link with former Vikings teammate Oscar Reed, before golfers hit the links at The Meadows at Mystic Lake for the annual fundraiser presented by Molson Coors.

And while memories of Marshall stirred, golfers appreciated the opportunity for camaraderie and benefiting the community.

The event raised more than $310,000 for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation's programs that include the Vikings Table food truck, which launched June 13, 2019, and served up its 100,000^th meal with help from quarterback J.J. McCarthy this past March.

The foundation also is continuing a program in connection with the Science Museum of Minnesota to provide STEM education tours at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller said the curriculum allows youth in the community the opportunity to "see our incredible stadium, but also to hopefully be inspired about science and engineering and math through the sport of football and through sports in general."

Angela Heikes, President and CEO of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Enterprise, said the SMSC and Mystic Lake were excited to again host the tournament.

"We here at the SMSC really value this shared commitment to giving back," Heikes said. "It's very important to us. We have seen that in the Minnesota Vikings, and it's just really demonstrated today in this event."

James Nanney, Director of Field Marketing for Molson Coors said, "As a dedicated partner for the past 15+ years, Molson Coors is proud to support the Minnesota Vikings Foundation."

"We are excited for this year's charity golf tournament and the opportunity to serve up some fun while giving back to the communities where we live and work," Nanney added.

Minnesota Vikings Foundation Executive Director Brett Taber expressed appreciation to Mystic Lake for hosting, as well as to event partners and Vikings Legends for their help in advancing the foundation's work.

"Our Minnesota Vikings Legends have always been tremendous about giving back, not only off the field, but the work that they did on the field and laying the foundation for the Vikings organization," Taber said. "Seeing great players from as recently as Riley Reiff and Chad Greenway out here to some of our former players like Paul Krause and John Randle and Randall McDaniel has been tremendous.

"Since the Vikings Foundation began, and with its commitment to youth, health and education, Vikings Table was one of our first programs that we launched, helping deliver healthy, nutritious meals and nutrition education to kids that need it the most in our community," Taber added. "Having hit that milestone earlier this year of 100,000 meals delivered is something that's truly special. But we're not just measuring the impact on every meal. What we're really looking at is the impact that we have on the lives of these young people, and knowing that we can make a tremendous difference in the opportunity for them to have access to healthy foods, to teach them about the outcomes that come from having a nutritious diet and living healthfully every single day is something that I think is going to have big dividends in the future, and it only inspires us more to continue that great work."

Reiff, who started all 58 regular-season games he played from 2017-20 for the Vikings, traveled from South Dakota to participate in the tournament for the first time as a legend.

"The Vikings have always been top-notch about the fundraising and helping out local charities, even going back to my time there, they were on top of the game," Reiff said. "I'm just thankful that I got invited here. I want to thank the Wilf family, the Vikings, everybody for doing what they do."

Although they didn't directly overlap at Iowa or with the Vikings, Chad Greenway (2006-16) was quick to point out the South Dakota connection with Reiff.

"We've got to stick together," Greenway mused after sinking a putt for his team. "Riley is one of those guys that I saw when he came into Iowa just after me. I just missed him in Minnesota, as well, as I retired before he came over [from the Lions], but he's one of those guys who just shows up, lunch pail, does his job. People are like, 'Oh yeah, Riley Reiff, he was a great player, right?' And he really was."

Greenway recalled being asked as a rookie how he envisioned using his Vikings platform to give back.

"That shows it was a priority back in 2006 when I started with the team, and then as I started my [Lead the Way Foundation] and continued to grow in my world and community, they continue to support my events to give back to the community in different ways," Greenway said. "The Vikings do an incredible job of supporting this community on several levels."

The Dakota Sweeping and Maintenance Company (Lien Sarles, Nathan Olson, Tigh Surdez, Matt Broderson and former Gophers hoopster Willie Burton) obliterated the course with a 15-under-par 57 to win the tourney.

A team organized by Mike Crooks of SMSC (John Elasky, AJ Michaels, Charlie Braniff, Erik Pille and Vikings Legend Leo Lewis) also shined but finished one stroke off the lead.

The iHeart team (Andrew Metzen, Eric Lonnquist, Dave Forhrenkamm, Brian Heller and former NHLer Ryan Carter) shot a 59 and won a tiebreaker for a bronze finish.

Regardless of where the teams landed, all participants agreed it was a great day for an even better cause.

"The Vikings, across the NFL, are known for their charity work and how they give back in the community," Vikings Legend Stu Voigt said. "And this is yet another fine example of what they do on a year-in, year-out basis, not just during the football season, but all year long. They really get the alumni like myself and present-day players and their staff to get involved with the community."