American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2020 E-Update |
|
September 2020 l Issue No. 8 |
|
Dear Team Coaches vs. Cancer,
Cancer has not stopped - and neither did you. Thank you to all who made last month’s Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic happen when cancer patients needed help the most.
Led by Sanford Health, MGM Resorts International and coaches throughout the nation, the Classic team found a way to raise nearly $800K net for the American Cancer Society despite the pandemic. The Classic has combined to net nearly $6 million to support the fight against cancer as the event has grown throughout the years.
Our event partners - including MGM Resorts, the golf courses and Bell Transportation - worked hard to keep everyone safe and comfortable. A special thank you to American Cancer Society’s Angela VanBrackle and Xs & Os of Success’ Bridget Byrne for taking the logistics challenge head on.
Finally, thank you to the 35 participating foursomes. It was special seeing you in Las Vegas. Thank you for making the trip and supporting the fight.
Please take a moment to view this special video about the 2020 LV Golf Classic.
|
|
We look forward to welcoming back our complete team next May - stronger and better than ever. Together, we are going to beat this nasty disease.
Lon Kruger
Oklahoma, Head Coach
Coaches vs. Cancer Council, Chair
|
|
|
Classic teammates step up to make 2020 possible
Event continued because of support of so many
|
It didn’t look the same. It didn’t always feel the same. But, once again, people from around the nation teamed together for one cause - to defeat cancer.
The 13th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic - presented by Sanford Health - will be remembered as the year “we found a way.” And it was a team effort to raise nearly $800K net to support the American Cancer Society.
Below are just a few examples of how the 2020 LV Golf Classic was made possible:
|
|
-
Led by Kelby Krabbenhoft and Sanford Health and George Kliavkoff and MGM Resorts International, event sponsors were adamant on finding a safe way to continue the event and raise much-needed funds for ACS. Every sponsor honored its commitment, including NextGen Cattle Co., Top of the World, The UPS Store, Nike and Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
-
Despite not having its usual Mission Moment at an evening event, Comprehensive Cancer Centers once again played a key role. Cancer warrior Alex Garza was on hand at Southern Highlands on Monday morning thanking players for their support. Thank you to Jon Bilstein, Lisa Santwer and Sarah Scott for the adjustment.
-
Derek Thompson and his NextGen Cattle Co. team were not able to participate this year - but he made sure his $50K donation remained. Also, though unable to visit Las Vegas, the Danny Heatly, Rox Covert and Pete Wilson foursomes requested their fees remain in support of the fight against cancer.
|
|
-
Both the Shadow Creek (led by Monte Montgomery, Brian McLaughlin and Daryl McAllister) and Southern Highlands (led by Jason Cheney, Jim Delaney, Brian Sanders and Alex Graham) teams adjusted to state mandates to make the event possible.
-
Michael Abbott and The Summit Club joined the LV Golf Classic team for the first time.
-
The MGM Resorts/MGM Grand team focused on safety as the priority from Day 1. Thank you to Dan Rush, Lance Evans, Chris Baldizan, Michael Neubecker, Jessica Hudson, Diane O’Brien, Megan Archambeault, Carly Rosich, Stephanie Maes, Brian Sternberg, Michelle Borgel, Lee Nakahara, Paul Dooley, Ernest Oliver, Chaz Berry and Sheila Ibay for making the LV Classic happen.
And, of course, a thank you to all the coaches and celebrities who participated. Event founder Lon Kruger (Oklahoma) was joined by Dana Altman (Oregon), Greg McDermott (Creighton), Derrin Hansen (Omaha), T.J. Otzelberger (UNLV), Tubby Smith (High Point), Ron Cottrell (Houston Baptist), Rick Byrd (Belmont - retired), Jim Harrick (UCLA - retired), Bob Chipman (Washburn - retired), Dave Pilipovich (formerly with Air Force), Jud Kinne (Houston Baptist), Kevin McKenna (Oregon), Kevin Kruger (UNLV), DeMarlo Slocum (UNLV), JT The Brick (Radio Personality) and Sean Farnham (ESPN).
|
|
Leaderboard featured familiar - and newer - names
UNLV's Otzelberger (Findlay Auto), Nike's Lautenbach part of gross champs
|
Two key figures of the 2020 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic - presented by Sanford Health - were members of teams capturing gross titles during the August event. UNLV coach T.J. Otzelberger’s Findlay Automotive team (including Robby Findlay, JC Price, Stephanie Bernas & Joe Fortunado) took home the Shadow Creek gross title while Eric Lautenbach’s Nike team (including Jamie Snook, Rich Schlachtner & Ben Lindquist) won the Southern Highlands gross crown.
For the third year in a row, MGM’s Rich Walsh was part of a championship team. This year, Walsh and teammates Michael Sachs, Jason Fontes & Rob Stenger captured the net title at Southern Highlands. At Shadow Creek, the OU Sooner Sports Properties team of Noble McIntyre, David Carter, Steve Shields & Bob Cunningham won the net crown - including a Cunningham hole-in-one on 17.
|
|
Additional Winners at Southern Highlands:
2nd Gross: Barnett: Duane Barnett, Aaron Loesch, Johnnie Miller, Brett Doty
2nd Net: KSU 2: Jeff Blanchet (who also got married Friday evening - congratulations!), Jason Spalitto, Mike Clark, Mark Whitehead
3rd Net: KSU 1: Shon Hansen, John Chandler, Bernie Haney, Nolan Riley
Additional Winners at Shadow Creek:
2nd Gross: Top of the World: Scott Shuler, Jeff Maack, Matt MacKay, Darius Lechtenberger
2nd Net: The UPS Store: Tom Englund, Carl DiGennaro, Greg Sak, Jay Ship
3rd Net: Chad Elliott: Chad Elliott, Jon Bray, Brian Shield, Josh Sadler
|
|
Garza is a true champion
Comprehensive Cancer Centers' Mission Moment Champion
|
|
Many golfers got to meet Alex Garza during the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic. And the heartfelt “thank you” they heard from the Comprehensive Cancer Centers' Mission Moment Champion won’t soon be forgotten.
Alex is a two-time prostate cancer survivor. He was originally diagnosed in 2017 just a few months before losing his mother to ovarian cancer. At that time, he had a complete prostatectomy. His cancer returned in 2018 and went through hormone therapy and radiation. Since his diagnosis, he has committed to maintaining a positive outlook on life and throughout his entire cancer journey. Alex is married with two children and works as Vice President of Sales for a local real estate firm. He remains active, healthy and mentally strong with the support of his loving family and friends. He is passionate about cancer advocacy and sharing his story with others to help them through their cancer journey.
Alex proudly represents the patients of Comprehensive Cancer Centers and also serves as an ambassador in the Voices of Hope program for the American Cancer Society.
|
|
|
"Hole Hero" sponsors honor loved ones |
|
- MGM Resorts International
|
|
-
NextGen Cattle Co. in memory of Bryan Lindstrom
-
Nike Basketball Family in memory of Coach Kay Yow
-
Top of the World in memory of Kathy Hill and in honor of Shelly Wilson
-
The UPS Store in memory of Joe Yale and in honor of Barbara Frank
-
Comprehensive Cancer Centers in honor of our fighters, survivors and angels
-
Xs & Os of Success in memory of Keith Campbell and Andrew Vaden and in honor of Larry Allen and Lee Kiamar
-
Lon and Barb Kruger in memory of Don Kruger
-
The McGivern Family in memory of Candy Eddleman
|
|
-
Dr. Anthony Cruse in memory of Lora Lee Cruse
-
Danny and Dana Heatly in memory of Dale Beckham and Charles Heatly
-
James Bryant in memory of Coach Bob Cleeland
-
Fran and Margaret McCaffery in honor of Patrick McCaffery and in memory of Austin Schroeder
-
In memory of Eileen Meidinger
-
The Wilson Family in honor of Shelly Wilson
-
Pat Kilkenny in honor of John Hicks and Bob Kilkenny. Thank you for your support, Mike Hudman.
-
Brock and Kelli Schnebel in memory of Richard Harrison
|
|
-
Coaches vs. Cancer Family proud to honor Coach Clark and in memory of Peter Mindock, Ted Seagroves and Gloria Reed
-
The McGraw Family in memory of Rick McGraw
-
The LaFontaine Family in memory of Jenny LaFontaine
-
The Zaretti Family in memory of Laura Zaretti
|
|
A special thank you to our sponsors |
|
Sponsorships for 2021 Classic available |
|
Interested in being involved in the 2021 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic as a sponsor?
|
|
Have questions about the 14th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic?
|
|
You can always contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-227-2345 or at cancer.org/contactus.
The American Cancer Society | 250 Williams Street | Atlanta, GA 30303
Copyright 2020 American Cancer Society
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
