By Barbara Palmgren
As I write columns about our area golf courses, often describing the physical challenges of the layout of the course itself, I am reminded that these acres of green represent more than opportunities to enjoy a sport. They are opportunities for the community to help non-profits and charities in a special way.
I have several friends who are fighting battles with cancer. I personally understand what it feels like to have the doctor tell you that you have cancer. I know what it’s like to be hooked up and injected with bags of chemical during chemotherapy. I know what it’s like when the doctor tells you that you are in “remission.” I know.
What I don’t know is what a parent must feel when their precious child is diagnosed with cancer. How do they feel? How do they explain this to their child? What do they do? Where do they go?
So, when I read in Destin Life that there was a golf tournament to support this fight against cancer, I knew I had to learn more about this cause.
On Friday, September 12 at The Raven Golf Club over 70 golfers responded to play golf in the 2nd Annual Golf4TheCure- Gulf Coast Tournament. I reached out to Scott Erby, co-sponsor with Kellyanne Bartleson to tell me more. Hosted at The Raven Golf Club at Sandestin in Miramar Beach, Florida, golfers were sure to enjoy the outing in perfect autumn weather.
Scott shared the background for this unique fundraiser that began with a devastating experience no parent should have to face.
In 2009. Scott’s young son, Cooper, just 4 years old, was diagnosed with a rare brain stem tumor- Ependymoma. Over the next three years, thanks to groundbreaking research and care at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with 64 radiation treatments and 10 months of chemotherapy, Cooper was cured. Today, Cooper, 21 years old, is pursuing his undergraduate degree at the Business School at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Inspired by his journey, Scott and others founded Golf4TheCure in the Westhaven community of Franklin, Tennessee. Did you know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? Yes, the focus every year in September is on curing childhood cancer. This golf nonprofit raised over $1 million dollars from 2009-2016 for St. Jude. At St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital families never receive a bill for treatment, travel housing or food.
To continue raising awareness and support, Golf4TheCure Gulf Coast was launched in 2024 with the Sandestin community.
The tournament was organized in 2 person and 4 person teams. Winners of the two-person teams were as follows:
Danny and Marlo Thomas team: Brian Giacone and Steven Ross with a score of 59
Ronald McDonalod team: Jake Gonzales and Chase Pfohl with a score of 67
Make a Wish team: Raz Cuparencu and Shannon Merritt with a score of 71
Brain Tumor Research team: Jon Creinin and Jon Lovett with a score of 78
The first place four-person team winners of the St. Jude’s Heroes with a score of 57 was Liz Sibley, Brady Smith, David Smith and Pete Reichel.
In my golf articles I usually share photos or winners or folks hitting difficult shots. Today, I want to leave the reader with a photo that says more than words can ever say. It’s the lighting of the lanterns ceremony at the end of the tournament. Each lantern honors a cancer survivor or someone who has lost their life to cancer.
A special month indeed. The fight to eradicate cancer especially for children is one that must continue until a cure is found.
