Gathering five Oregonian sports stars, 24 teams of pro and amateur golfers, and their loved ones together at the beautiful Oregon Golf Club for the 13th annual CCA Invitational certainly made for a competitive pro-am tournament. But more importantly, it created a powerful force for Joy, raising more than $370,000 in support of CCA’s JoyRx Music program and enabling thousands of sick kids and their families to find Joy and emotional healing while facing the profound hardship of serious pediatric illness.
Teeing Up Joy
The two-day event, sponsored by OnPoint Community Credit Union, kicked off with a Celebrity Roundtable Dinner Reception, sponsored by Joe’s Burgers. Guests enjoyed live music in the Rose Garden, followed by an inspiring dinner program and celebrity roundtable “al fresco” on the club’s expansive Vineyard Lawn.
After a warm welcome from CCA’s CEO, Danielle York, and Senior Vice President of Development, Jenny O’Bryan, we heard from Jessica Fichtel, mom of seven-year-old Kai, who was served by CCA’s JoyRx Mentorship (formerly Chemo Pal) and Nature programs. Though Kai wasn’t able to join us in person, he waved to the crowd via FaceTime, dressed sharply in a white golf polo, as his mom shared how Kai’s JoyRx Mentor, Janelle, buoyed their family’s spirits during Kai’s marathon 1,255 days of treatment.
“They say the universe knows what you need. And we needed Janelle. When we needed to step out and breathe, or when I needed to keep the tears from falling, she was there. For Kai, but ultimately, for my husband and I, too. There were so many days when Janelle was the reason we were able to get through. And when we stood outside the hospital after his last infusion, she said, ‘I’ll look forward to dancing with him on his wedding day.’ We don’t think of Janelle as a ‘chemo pal’—she is our friend and our family. CCA and their JoyRx Mentorship program is truly a gift to the families and kiddos who are enduring treatment.” — Jessica
Our heartfelt thanks to Jessica for sharing her family’s story of friendship, Joy, and love.
We also welcomed panelists Ashton Eaton, Joey Harrington, Kelly Graves, and Wayne Tinkle to the stage for a celebrity roundtable and Q&A, moderated by our emcee, sports broadcaster Jordan Kent. By the end of the evening, our incredible guests generously gave nearly $250,000 for JoyRx, and excitement was high for the pro-am tournament the following day.
A Swinging Success
On Monday, the tournament kicked off with a bang, as golfers put their putting skills to the test. Congrats to Brad Ebberson, who won the putting contest, sponsored by ACME Construction Supply Co and Skin by Lovely!
The tournament provided our 24 teams many opportunities for friendly competition.
Congratulations to all of our winners:
First Place, Team Shamble: Team Kerr—Tim Kerr, Dan Hanson, Dana Martin, Doug Davis, Brent Murray, and our emcee, Jordan Kent.
Second Place, Team Shamble: Team Lytle, Columbia Edgewater Country Club—Andy Lytle, Mike Zupan, Mark Fitkin, Nick Ehlen, and Adrian Burtner.
Third Place, Team Shamble: Team VandenBrink, Rock Creek Country Club—Kevin VandenBrink, Garrin Royer, Mike Barrett, Clayton Madey, and Craig Crandall
First Place, Pro Competition (tie): Jesse Heinly of Sunriver Resort Meadows Golf Course and Hogan Arey of Trysting Tree Golf Club.
Closest-to-the-pin Winners: Kris Vockler (23’ 7”), Tim Kerr (17”), and Doug Davis (3’7”)!
The CCA Invitational was a huge success, thanks in large part to our incredible Steering Committee: Paul Gulick, Jason Strobbe, Rennie Muzii, Ron Merryman, and Bob Turnquist.
And a special thanks to our sponsors for making this Joyous event possible: Presenting Sponsor – OnPoint Community Credit Union; Reception Sponsor – Joe’s Burgers; Golf Cart and Wine Sponsor – L’Angolo Estate; Putting Contest Sponsors — Acme Construction Supply Co & Skin by Lovely; Hole in One Sponsors – Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville & Harnish Properties; and In-Kind Sponsors – All Forward Event Support, Black Rock Coffee, Breakside Brewery, Columbia Sportswear, L’Angolo Estate, Legacy Whiskey, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, Providence Health Systems, Rose City Distilling, Seamless, Tom James Company, & Tito’s Vodka.
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