Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health

American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2025 E-Update

May 2025￨Issue No. 7

"Reunion feel" keeps golfers returning to "Party with a Purpose"

Are you ready? Sunday night’s "Party with a Purpose" tips off the 18th Annual American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic, presented by Sanford Health and hosted by MGM Resorts International. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. PT at NoMad Pool at Park MGM.

Join us as we salute cancer survivors and welcome our coaches and golfers with a short program emceed by JT The Brick from Sirius XM Radio/Las Vegas Raiders and featuring LV Classic founder Lon Kruger. We’ll also hear more about the incredible Dormie Network golf opportunity to support the American Cancer Society.

And if you live in Las Vegas (or just like visiting), click here for the LV Classic online auction supporting ACS.

Note: A series of logistics emails (access initial one here) are being sent to all participants from event organizers with more details, including transportation information to and from the golf courses on Monday and Tuesday (9 a.m. PT shotgun start on both days at Shadow Creek, Cascata and TPC Summerlin/Southern Highlands). Also, click here for event schedule and here for event program.

Comprehensive Cancer Centers once again puts a spotlight on the mission

After hitting the links Monday, join us for all the feels that evening. ESPN’s Sean Farnham & Dalen Cuff will host our “Bigger Monday” Party, presented by Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip. (Rumor has it Farnham and Cuff have been rehearsing hard for karaoke performances as well.)

The evening will feature our Mission Moment - a conversation with cancer survivor Brandi Ellis, who was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer in 2020. Throughout her journey, she faced the battle with strength and purpose, demonstrating resilience to her children and team members alike.

Ellis will be joined by her oncologist from Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Dr. Stephani Christensen. (Both are pictured with Coach Kruger and Steph MacKenzie of the Las Vegas Sports Network, a longtime supporter of the Classic.)

Then the fun begins with Las Vegas Karaoke A Go-Go, a real stage show with live lights and sound technician, a video screen, Go-Go Dancers and a live drummer. It’s hosted by Grammy nominee and Billboard Award winner David Nicoll.

Who will we see perform? You, maybe?

Sanford Health’s commitment to the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic is inspiring.

We heard from many last year that they enjoyed learning more about Sanford Health’s president and CEO Bill Gassen - so let’s learn even more about Bill before you see him again Sunday night at the "Party with a Purpose.”

Who inspires you the most?

My parents, Matt and Charlene, and my wife, Jill. All three have spent their careers serving others. My father served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years, followed by more than a twenty-year career creating and leading South Dakota’s largest nonprofit hunger relief organization, Feeding South Dakota. My mother was a nurse for more than 40 years and my wife, Jill, is a licensed physician assistant with the VA. They inspire me every day to serve Sanford Health’s patients, people and communities through my role as president and CEO.

What is your greatest strength as a leader?

One of my top strengths is in relationship building. I enjoy getting to know people, both personally and professionally. Building relationships is critical to establishing the strong team culture we have at Sanford Health. I believe this strength comes from my many years playing team sports including high school football and collegiate football and track & field. Like all of us who participate in Coaches vs. Cancer, I love sports, but what I really value the most are the lessons that sports teach us. When you’re a part of a team, you have a certain role to fill, and ultimately, you and your teammates are all working in tandem to reach a common goal. No one person has all the answers, so it’s important to surround yourself with smart people who you trust. I am blessed to have an incredible team I get to work with at Sanford Health. We have different backgrounds and areas of expertise, but we share a common vision for our organization, and we work collaboratively every day to advance our mission to care, comfort and cure.

If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be and why?

My six-year-old son, Judah. He has a carefree approach to life, is infinitely curious and has the best sense of humor.

Why are you involved in the CvC LV Golf Classic/fight against cancer?

Cancer impacts all of us, either directly or indirectly. Everyone who is participating in the Classic shares a commitment to finding a cure for this disease.

At Sanford Health, we are using innovative science to advance breakthroughs that will change cancer care for every patient, for generations to come. Through our research arm, Sanford Research, we’re exploring better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat and improve patients’ quality of life during and after cancer. Our care teams are embracing AI and other new technologies to predict certain cancer risks for our patients so clinicians can recommend screenings, improving early detection.

As the largest rural health system in the country, we believe a patient’s zip code shouldn’t dictate the quality of care they receive. This is why we are making cancer screenings, cancer treatments and our community-based clinical research program - which includes Phase 1 clinical trials -accessible to our patients close to home. Patients who historically would have had to travel long distances to larger cities can now access the same clinical trial right where they live.

What makes you feel accomplished?

My family.

Brandi Ellis to share her Mission Moment on Monday night

When Brandi Ellis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2020 - just after Mother’s Day and in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic - she had no idea how deeply her life would change. Diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, Brandi faced surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, all while navigating the emotional and physical challenges of treatment alone due to pandemic restrictions.

Supported by her care team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, including Dr. Christensen, Dr. Earl, and Dr. Anderson, Brandi underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, with chemo and radiation finishing just before Thanksgiving. This fall, she celebrates five years cancer-free, marking a milestone she holds close to her heart.

Brandi credits her strength to staying active - walking four miles every day during treatment - and leaning into her support system. “The loop probably saved my life,” she says. Her children, then 11 (twin girls) and 14, watched her walk daily and found strength in her consistency.

While her journey was often solitary, Brandi has since become a beacon for others facing similar battles. She supports cancer patients in online groups, mentors friends and strangers alike, and shares thoughtful care packages to remind others they’re not alone. “Even a small glimmer of hope can make a difference,” she says. (Learn more about her perseverance in the video below.)

Brandi recently retired from a long career in the gaming industry, focusing now on her health, family, and paying it forward. Her message to others: “Give yourself grace. Every day is different, but every day is progress.”

She will take the stage during the "Bigger Monday" Party at the Hard Rock Cafe as the Mission Moment spotlight, sponsored by Comprehensive Cancer Centers and the Las Vegas Sports Network, to share her powerful story with Coaches vs. Cancer supporters.

Brandi’s story is a reminder that survivorship isn’t just about beating cancer - it’s about living fully, helping others, and moving forward with strength and gratitude.

Who will go home with this year's bragging rights?

Don’t be mistaken - the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic’s primary focus is raising money to support the American Cancer Society. And, of course, we can have fun while doing it. But for many involved, it’s also about competing on some of the top golf courses in the West.

And this year’s field is once again loaded with talented golfers, including some that took home hardware last year, including returning first place gross champions from the three different courses: K-State’s John Chandler & Tracer Paul (Shadow Creek); Sooner Stickmen Danny Heatly, Ron Clark, Tyler Woodward & Bo Overton (Cascata); and Spencer Haywood & Jud Kinne (TPC Summerlin).

Net champs are also returning. Kevin Kruger’s team of Mark Starsiak, Jay Ship and former LPGA golfer Kendall Dye took first at Cascata while Xs & Os of Success (Mike Turner, Dan Lai, Daniel Allen and Dale Eeles) won at TPC Summerlin.

Other returners that were on teams that placed last year include: ESPN’s Sean Farnham, Ian Morgan & Dave Gorman; Wald Family Foods’ Tommy Wald, Bob Wald & Brayden Wald; The UPS Store’s Tom Englund, Samuel Ireland & Greg Sak; and LV Classic veteran Ron McHenry.

Coach Kruger, CvC Las Vegas Golf Classic and the Dormie Network are teaming up for a game-changing partnership!

One Network. One Membership. Unmatched.

The Dormie Network will provide a one-year membership to their network of properties to participants who make an additional gift of $10,000. If you secure your membership before the Classic, you will have the opportunity to join Coach Lon Kruger and be highlighted during one of our evening events. Click here to learn more about the Dormie Network.

“There are certain relationships that are a game changer,” Classic founder Lon Kruger said. “Dormie Network is committed to Coaches vs. Cancer. We are so thrilled with what they are offering to our golfers.”

For more information or to secure your Dormie Network one-year membership, please contact Ryan Daley at ryan.daley@cancer.org. A video recap of a recent information session about this exciting opportunity can be viewed here.

SECURE YOUR DORMIE NETWORK ONE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP HERE

*Notice: To activate a Dormie Network national membership, the donor cannot live or own a vacation home within approximately 75 miles of any Dormie Network property.