Although the weather was a little threatening, the force was undeniably with the Visiting Nurse Association during its 36th annual Golf-A-Thon. Held on May 4, unofficially known as Star Wars Day, there was plenty of “May the ‘Fourth’ be with you” banter as local club pros and supporters came together at the Oak Harbor Club to support this critical cause.
“This morning when we teed off, the amount we had raised was $498,000,” said Mike McGee, VNA Foundation board chair.
“By the time we just wrapped up the shootout, that number increased to $510,000.”
Serving as host on his final day at Oak Harbor, Frank Mentzer passed the baton, or in this case the driver, to Matthew Challenor, Oak Harbor’s new golf pro.
They were joined by Jason Berchtold, Bent Pine Golf Club; Thomas Brinson, the Moorings Yacht & Country Club; David Champagne, Orchid Island Golf Club; Drew DiSesa, Riomar Country Club; Steve Hudson, John’s Island Club; Ian Killen, Indian River Club; Don Meadows, Quail Valley Golf Club; Bela Nagy, Sandridge Golf Club; Ben Stewart, Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club; Chris Peel, Vero Beach Country Club; and Anthony Ranieri, Pointe West Country Club.
It was an eventful day on the course, with Vero Beach Country Club pro Chris Peel kicking off the morning with a hole-in-one on his very first shot.
His momentum held through the afternoon shootout, where he placed closest to the pin at 4 feet, 11 inches. On the leaderboard, the White Team, comprised of DiSesa, Challenor and Champagne, led the pack with 73 combined birdies and eagles.
While the mood under the afternoon sun was lighthearted, including a surprise photo-op appearance by Darth Vader and Princess Leia, the event supported a serious and timely mission.
Like healthcare organizations nationwide, the VNA has spent the past several years recovering from the pandemic’s fallout while also confronting severe nursing shortages and skyrocketing costs.
However, Lundy Fields, VNA CEO, said the nonprofit has finally regained its footing.
“That has been a slog, I can tell you, for the last several years, just trying to claw our way back.
For us, it’s just about breaking even. So we’re doing well. We feel very strong in terms of our financial and operational strength,” said Fields.
With operations stabilized, Fields said the VNA is now focused on positioning itself for the future.
Among its initiatives, they plan to streamline internal clinical documentation to allow caregivers more face-to-face time with patients. They are also preparing to launch a county-wide palliative medicine program by the end of the year.
Proceeds from the Golf-A-Thon underwrite VNA programming that goes beyond medicine to include compassion, dignity and community. Whether clients are recovering from an illness or are at the end of their life, the VNA ensures that no one has to face it alone.
The 37th annual tournament will take place at the Sandridge Golf Club, hosted by Bela Nagy.
For more information, please visit foundation.vnatc.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
