When it comes to charity golfers and charity golf tournaments, nobody does it better than Alice Cooper.

For the 10 th straight year, the Alice Cooper Celebrity-Am was a smash hit. The latest edition brought the overall total to $1.5 million and counting for Cooper’s Christian faith-based Solid Rock Foundation.

Sure, the Cooper extravaganza has 210 volunteers and a caravan of sponsors. But it’s the main man, Alice, who sets the tone that every participant is special.

“Our success proves you can do a tournament that is wholesome and still have fun,’’ Cooper pointed out. “Over the years, we’ve turned down almost every beer and cigarette company there is (for sponsorships), because we don’t want to be hypocrites with the kids we’re trying to help.’’

It’s the paradox of being Alice Cooper, whose dark rock-star persona has shocked millions of parents over the years via poison needles, whips and chains, as well as an occasional python or two. More than one mom and dad have assumed Alice was on drugs, or perhaps into “drag.’’ As it turns out, no one could be more opposite of, say, Marilyn Manson.

How Cooper came to be known as the consummate charity golfer and host also seems a bit of a reach.

“I gave up one addiction for another addiction,’’ explained Alice, who 25 years ago underwent treatment for alcohol abuse only to get hooked on golf during the recovery process.

“I think you’ll find that a lot of guys who quit drinking and doing drugs, if they’re going to escape them, they need another outlet to get ‘addicted’ to. That’s especially true of musicians.

“All I can say is, golf is definitely my addiction, but fortunately, a much healthier one.’’

Cooper hardly ever stops chasing the little white ball, playing 200 to 250 rounds a year. He also works the celebrity/charity circuit, playing 20-plus events across the country, and “hundreds over the years.’’

“In the end, it was impossible for Alice Cooper not to do a golf tournament of his own,’’ said Coop, who is currently a 5-handicap “because I couldn’t win any money when I was a ‘2.’ ’’

Also lost in the macabre mystique of Alice is that the Cooper is a deeply religious man. Born in Phoenix in 1948, his Christian background is what launched the Solid Rock Foundation, which funds programs and opportunities for teen-agers and inner-city youths.

“I didn’t find religion (following alcohol treatment). It was more like I was the prodigal son,’’ said Cooper, whose grandfather was an evangelist, and whose father was a missionary on the San Carlos Apache Reservation near Globe.

“So I grew up in the church, left it to be the poster boy for everything that was wrong with the world, and then came back to my faith. At t he same time, it’s not necessarily an easy thing to have a No. 1 record at age 21 and not try to kill your self in the process.

“But, somehow, I survived whereas guys like Jimmy Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Keith Moon didn’t. I think the reason I made it was because my parents prayed for me. Really, a mother’s and father’s prayers are pretty strong stuff.’’

Not that Cooper pushes religion, or himself. He is a humble, unassuming rock star if ever there was one, said the tournament’s long-time director, Chuck Savale.

“Alice is one of the few celebrities who does much more than just add his name to an event,’’ noted Savale, an ordained pastor who works year-round on the golf tournament as well as Cooper’s other major fund-raiser -- Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding.

“Sure, the name Alice Cooper opens doors, but he doesn’t stop there. Alice keeps giving of himself, over and over.’’

Whether it’s an autograph or photograph, Cooper takes his time with each and every fan. And he always lifts his head and acknowledges the well-wisher when someone yells, “Hit the ball, Alice,” or “We’re not worthy!” a line he’s associated with from “ Wayne’s World.’’

“What I’ve found over the years is that golf is such a common denominator, it cuts through everything,’’ Cooper said of his love for the game. “For instance, Dennis Hopper is one of our celebrities this week, and I don’t know Dennis Hopper at all except I love his movies. Still, whenever we get together, usually at deals like this, all we talk about is golf.’’

As Cooper pointed out, it’s a game of simple pleasures with a sole purpose.

“Celeb or regular guy, we all are trying to get the ball in the hole some way, some how. It’s why I’ve always felt golf is a lot like life itself.’’