Lee and Carly flew in to Orlando (Carly in from Hawaii where she is attending college – rough life) a few days before Kelsey and I (Kelsey had a softball tournament) to get a jump start on organizing the registration process for the golf tournament. Kelsey and I flew in on June 8th, just in time to attend a dinner hosted by Dr. Jim Katsur and his sons, Josh and Justin. We met some new friends and Lee shared a few thoughts – even the tables were set with Wacky colors.
Monday morning, bright and early, we all headed out to Heathrow Country Club. The registration table was all set with Wacky goody bags, which included a Wacky golf shirt, a Wacky pin and a sleeve of Wacky ProV golf balls. Mary Ann, a local club member volunteering for the morning, sold “Wacky Super Packs” – this included four passes: a mulligan, kick down the fairway, toss out of the bunker and a 2′ string to move a ball closer to the pin. She sold over $1,000 worth!
Carly & Kelsey, my favorite volunteers
“GG” – an FD alumni who came out to volunteer
Loudmouth Golf reps shared a few of their tricks before the group headed out to their respective tees.
Brion Price, photographer, captured each foursome sporting appropriate Wacky attire, as well as a few that already knew what this tournament was all about.
Jim & Josh Katsur
Justin Katsur has his Wacky on!
Aloha, Dexter!
Fred Flinstone, complete with “bam bam” cleats, went on to win “Best Wacky Outfit”
While playing a scramble format, there was something crazy to do or a contest on each hole. From longest drive to closest to the pin; from using oven mitts when teeing off to putting with a pool cue; to teeing off with a tennis racquet to putting with a double handle putter. It was great!
Two handle putter
Hey, batta batta batta!!!
The golfers were treated to hors d’oeuvres and refreshments as they trickled in from the course. It was extremely hot and humid, but smiles were abundant.
Passing the time while waiting for the last group of golfers to finish up.
Once everyone was back in the clubhouse, I began by sharing our story along with a clip featuring Nick and First Descents. My voice wavered but my composure was restored by making eye contact with Lee, Carly and Kelsey – they are my strength. We also had a representative from CureSearch share a few words, as well as a First Descents alumni to help us explain how our support of the two charities impact lives. A Loudmouth rep expressed his appreciation for the majority of golfers participating in the “Beat the Pro” contest on hole #4, raising $300 to split between Wacky and their own foundation, Little Linksters. Lee then opened his heart and spoke more about the Nick’s legacy, Wacky’s vision and our heartfelt appreciation for the Katsur family in making this tournament a success.
Then came the fun part – the awards!
Baby floaties and scuba goggles are what this winner needed for hitting highest amount of golf balls in the water!
“Learners” receiving the award of badminton racquets,
indicating that perhaps golf is not where their athletic skill lies.
And more “learners” receiving “Golf for Dummies” to help them
improve their score for next year’s event.
“Beat the Pro” winner will receive a new pair of Loudmouth shorts!
2nd place winners actually received the 1st place award: $100 gift certificates!
The actual 1st place winners were scorned with shouts of, “Never trust 1st place winners…they cheat!” as they accepted Wacky golf towels to dry their crying eyes.
Everyone’s a comic!
The Katsur family surprised our family by giving us this amazing donation to Wacky Warriors – $25,000!!! I cried.
Carly, Kelsey, Angela, Justin, DJ, Lori, Lee, Jim & Josh
The entire motley crew!
The entire day left me with a very emotionally charged heart. The amount of money raised literally took my breath away. And at all Wacky events, there are those that feel safe in sharing their personal journey with me on how cancer has changed their lives, as well. I always feel so honored to hear their stories, so grateful that they would surpass their vulnerability and trust me to listen and understand the common ground we have walked. Then of course, watching Nick on the video clip and talking about him to others is highly emotional in both a loving and frightening sense. My favorite moments, however, were just listening to the laughter, teasing, and endless “selflies” of my daughters while we were all together. To complete it all is when my eyes lock with Lee’s and we both smile slightly at each other because we know we are truly blessed and are surrounded by love. It was a good day.
Lee and I would like to sincerely and humbly thank all the golfers that participated in and generously donated to our first annual event. It would not have been a success without you! You respectfully acknowledged our “Cancer Cuties” and embraced our cause to make a positive difference in the lives of those touched by cancer.
We placed posters of our “Cancer Cuties” throughout the course. I love this one of Alex, who is now an angel.
A big shout out to the entire staff at Heathrow Country Club! Everyone that helped us – from Kayse, the course event coordinator – to the catering staff – to the greenskeepers – they were courteous, friendly and professional. Well done! And also to Yvonne from CureSearch and “GG” representing FD for coming out in the sweltering heat as volunteers, thank you so much! And to “Dexter” for stepping out on to the golf course and in front of the group – you did terrific! To Brion Price for the photography and Greg McKie for the miscellaneous loose ends I threw on you. But a special thank you to the Katsur family… you loved our family as you would your own. And we love you.
We can’t wait to see you again next year!
Here are all the foursomes in all their glory, happily wearing some of the hats we provided. Note: these hats are very sentimental to us as they were worn for various visits by Nick’s Fairy Godmothers when they would come to visit him during his week-long hospital stays for chemotherapy treatments (visit Nick’s blog at www.nick-raitt.blogspot.com for more on their visits.)
