It was hardly a relaxing day on the links as 12 pros from local golf clubs hastened about the Vero Beach Country Club last Monday, racing to play 135 holes in roughly 10 hours at the 27th annual VNA & Hospice Foundation Golf-A-Thon.
Each year, club members contribute on behalf of their respective pros at what has become the VNA’s single largest fundraiser. More than $331,000 was raised this year to support VNA programs and services, including home health and hospice care, caregiver support and community health services.
This year’s lineup of gifted pros consisted of: Blue Team – Randy Hedgecock of the host Vero Beach Country Club; Mike Schuette, Riomar Country Club, and Don Meadows, Quail Valley Golf Club; Red Team – Pat Gorman, Bent Pine Golf Club, Bella Nagy, Sandridge Golf Club, and Patrick Cerjan, Pointe West Country Club; Green Team – Casey Cox, Moorings Yacht and Country Club, Joe Kern, Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club, and Ken Weyand, John’s Island Club; White Team – Ian Killen, Indian River Club, Rich Waage, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club, and Matthew Challenor, Windsor Club.
Volunteers and supporters converged in the late afternoon to watch the final shootout which took place on the 155-yard ninth hole, near the clubhouse. Many took advantage of the bocce ball court box where they could sit in the shade and watch events unfold.
Randy Hedgecock, who has played in all but the first Golf-A-Thon, made his host club proud as the winner of the shootout, with Joe Kern taking second prize.
Other than the shootout, a few closest-to-the-pin prizes and bragging rights among the congenial group, there is no award for the day’s low score. They don’t do it for any personal gain and yet most players participate year after year.
“It’s wonderful to support a great organization, and I love working with these guys,” said Pat Gorman, who has played every single year.
“The pros especially are so generous with their time,” said Robbie Saxton, an Indian River Club member who co-chaired once again with Carrie Trooboff of John’s Island Club. “This is a grueling day for them. We do have a rookie this time – Ian Killen from Indian River Club – so I’m excited to see how he did.”
“It’s been an absolutely gorgeous day; and the volunteers are also just wonderful,” said Trooboff.
More than 100 volunteers help out in various ways, from initial mailings to serving as pro drivers or following behind to rake bunkers and replace divots.
“We try to encourage the volunteers to dress in the same colors as the pro teams,” said Michelle Deschane, VNA donor relations coordinator. “The golf pros teed off at 7 o’clock this morning. They’re so excited to do it; they just so support our cause and so do our volunteers.”
“All of the money goes for charitable care for people who need it,” said Trooboff.
“And it hits almost everyone at some point or another,” added Saxton. “There are a lot of other programs at VNA other than hospice.”
“I was a co-chair five years with Bonnie DeWaters,” said Shelli Gordon, a Quail Valley member. “I’ve always had heart pangs for the VNA. My mother was in a nursing home until she passed away back in the late ’90s and the care that she didn’t get brought to my attention how valuable the VNA truly is. Everyone who works for the VNA, either as an employee or as a volunteer, is so dedicated.”
