March 10 -- Ed Roland, the lead singer for the rock band Collective Soul, has made a name for himself with his ability to rock-and-roll. But the question to be answered this week was, can he "roll the rock?"

Whether hitting the right shots or the right notes, Ed Roland from Collective Soul is eager to make a difference. (Photo: courtesy Arby's Charity Tour)

"Golf is very important to me," the singer explains. "I take my game serious enough to want to play well, but I know where my talents are. Hey, if I were as good as I'd like to be, I'd be teeing it up in Florida this week with the guys on the PGA Tour instead of up here."

But the purpose of Roland's golf may have as much impact as what takes place on the PGA Tour -- at least it might this week. Roland and his band are headlining a two-day music and golf extravaganza designed as part of The Arby's Charity Tour, a nationwide series of golf tournaments, auctions and Arby's restaurant fundraising, which raises money for a variety of youth-mentoring organizations. There are 25 cities on the 2008 tour, with this week's event in Atlanta serving as the kick-off event.

"With success comes the obligation to give back," says Roland. "Because I've been blessed to live my rock 'n roll dream, I feel compelled to pay it forward to help ensure the future success of kids who don't have what I had."

Roland's love affair with golf was inspired by another Rock icon who passed along words of wisdom that inspire him to this day.

"In the early 1990s, we were touring with Van Halen," he explained. "Eddie Van Halen told me that all hotel rooms on the road are going to look the same; a bed, a tv, a bathroom. And he was right. He told me that the monotony of touring could really wear on you if you didn't find a good outlet. His was golf and he encouraged me to play, that it was an ideal way to really relax and enjoy being out in the world, seeing the landscape and meeting the locals. I've been hooked ever since."

And thus, with his talent for writing, singing and performing, Roland (and his group) has now become a mainstay of radio playlists and boasts a worldwide following that craves the group's next song, album and concert. And it's also given them the opportunity to represent organizations and charities that can capitalize on their love of golf to create better communities all around the country. Organizations like Arby's and the Arby's Charity Tour.

The Arby's Charity Tour is one of the largest series of golf tournaments in the country, a pivotal arm in meeting the youth mentoring goals set forth by the Arby's corporation. Arby's is a major partner for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) programs around the country and this week's event is a key fund-raising opportunity for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.

"We're on a mission to bring the communities that we serve together to help children realize and achieve their dreams," says Greg Hawkins, Senior Vice President, Community Partnerships, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.

Even those who regularly participate in charity fundraisers could not help but be impressed with the commitment and magnitude of the efforts for the tournament.

"Golf is more than just a recreation and a passion," explained Chip Spiler, the PGA Director of Golf at Chateau Elan, the host course for this year's Arby's Charity Tour Atlanta event. "It can be a tool to do so much good, to make our lives and others lives easier and better. It's always a thrill to host a tournament like this, to see the fun and camraderie on one hand and the incredible results that a day like this produces for such wonderful organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters on the other."

And the efforts do make a difference. Since its inception in 1996, the Arby's Charity Tour has raised over $22 million. Last year, the Atlanta event raised over $250,000. This year, they beleive they can do better. Even more, throughout the week of March 10, the Arby's Foundation bus will be traveling around Atlanta hosting a series of community events, recruiting drives and awareness generating promotions to attract BBBS mentors.

"We are very fortunate to have a corporate citizen as actively involved as Arby's in making a difference in the lives of Atlanta's children," said Janice McKenzie-Crayton, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. "We want to thank Arby's for their longstanding support, Collective Soul and all of our sponsors for making this year's Arby's Charity Tour one of the largest events to date."

In summary, very few people will know the thrill of winning a major championship or collecting million dollar paychecks for their golf skills -- but all golfers can turn their passion for golf into something that benefits their community. There are millions of children in the nation who may have never heard of Collective Soul or eaten at Arby's, but they will greatly benefit from the efforts of these two groups and many more who have turned the passion of golfers into a greater good for all. And that is music to anyone's ears.