Golf is considered a solitary sport, but oftentimes it brings people together. Not just in foursomes but by the hundreds to raise millions of dollars for thousands of people who need assistance in ways too numerous to count.
I’ve played in several charity golf events and, while it’s fun to mingle with celebrities and movers and shakers and play nice courses, it’s the reason for the gathering that does – and should – take center stage.
In this issue of Southland Golf we’re focusing on people who step out front and work behind the scenes in these year-round charity endeavors. Some have name recognition, which helps, and others do it because a tragedy or medical trauma has thrust them into action. We’re also spotlighting people working to make golf more social, adaptable, playable, accommodating, fun or sustainable. Their stories are on pages 21-43.
A charitable effort not on those pages is Ryan’s Reach, an organization founded in the name of Ryan Corbin who survived a near-fatal fall in 2001 and suffers from traumatic brain injury (TBI). As the grandson of Pat Boone, Ryan Corbin and his family are financially secure, but over the years they’ve met many people whose families are affected by TBI and the emotional and monetary strain associated with it. It’s for that reason Ryan’s Reach was established.
“We started it about 18 months after the accident when Ryan was out of his coma, starting to talk and we were so grateful that he was with us,” his mother, Lindy Boone Michaelis, told me in early June at Dove Canyon Golf Club, site of the 10th annual Pat Boone and Friends Golf Classic that raises funds for the charity. “We knew we were in a unique position. My dad, being a celebrity, could bring some attention to this and we decided we needed to do something to help other people with brain injuries that didn’t have the platform we had.”
Calling Ryan’s Reach “a small foundation with a big, big goal,” Michaelis is most excited about a home in Tustin the foundation has leased that should be ready to accept visitors before the end of summer. The five-bedroom, single-story home in Tustin will accommodate ambulatory and non-ambulatory people and have caregivers on site to tend to TBI patients for a weekend or maybe longer. The idea is for people to drop off their child or loved one in order to get away for a few days and “come up for air,” Michaelis said.
“We felt like this is what Ryan’s Reach is supposed to do next,” she said of the foundation that also puts on a 5K/10K run and awards scholarships to TBI patients so they can utilize treatment centers such as High Hopes. “We know so many people that don’t take vacations, can’t afford caregivers, are reaching their limits and, quite frankly, need time to breathe. Because I have the time to fund raise, I’m trying to help other families that don’t have the kind of time that’s needed.”
FUN AND GAMES
If you’ve played in a charity golf event in the past 15 years there’s a good chance you’ve seen Shanda Venneau. You really can’t miss her. She’s the one bouncing around with a camera and driving a miniature yellow Hummer that serves as a conversation piece and mobile photo lab with all of today’s digital magic and toys.
The operator of Shanda Photographic sees her charity event tasks as a way to create fun and lasting memories. Rarely do players get the standard static foursome shot, as Venneau often brings costumes and props and asks players to assume poses they never dreamed of doing when the day began. But it’s a charity golf tournament, so most people are in a giving and festive mood.
“Making a difference in the lives of others for a specific purpose is my passion, and photography has been a skill set I’ve used to share joy with others through charity golf,” Venneau said. “Charity golf is a great way to connect people and spend quality time together for a good cause. The purpose of charities is what drives my passion. People helping people is the ultimate definition of humanity.”
And that’s true even if you’re standing on a tee box wearing a plastic Viking helmet with horns and braids. I know. I’ve been there. And have a picture to prove it.
