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Mike and Debbie Laird recently welcomed 312 golfers from all over Indiana to the 17th annual Jake Laird Golf Outing. The weather was perfect, and both courses at the Pebble Brook Golf Club were in pristine condition, which made for the most successful outing since its inception in 2004 after Jake Laird, an Indianapolis police officer, was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Joining during the opening ceremonies were Congresswoman Susan Brooks, State Representative Donna Schaibley, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey, who was also Jake’s best friend.
Debbie and Mike Laird are always looking for new ways to serve the police and fire communities of Indiana. (Photo provided)
Mike and Debbie worked very closely with the Hamilton County Health Department while utilizing Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track Guidelines for fairs, festivals and fireworks, along with the IN PGA COVID Safety Protocols to reduce the risk of the transmission of COVID-19. A Hamilton County Health Department representative said, “With the excellent collaboration of many departments, this event was able to keep giving back to the community and supporting police officers and firefighters.”
The morning began with a surprise from Congresswoman Brooks for Debbie Laird. Brooks presented Debbie with a Congressional Record honoring her retirement from Janus Developmental Services, the work she did to better the lives of adults with disabilities and her service to police and fire agencies with her husband, Mike, through the Jake Laird Memorial Fund. Debbie said, “I was completely surprised, but so honored to have received this award.”
Jake Laird
Mike and Debbie, parents of Jake Laird, continue to be appreciative to the many golfers and this year’s 36 sponsors who have enabled them to disburse over $1 million dollars to deserving public safety agencies consisting of police and fire departments throughout Indiana.
“The golf outing was an event Deb and I thought would be around for a couple of years and be forgotten. We were completely wrong,” Mike said. “We have golfers and sponsors who start calling us as early as January for details of the next outing.”
Lindsay Fish, Director of Sales and Business Development for Title Sponsor, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, said, “Indiana Grand is honored to have our long-standing relationship with the Jake Laird Memorial Golf Outing. We believe the funds raised to benefit our police and fire agencies is a cause worth supporting. By participating, we hope to be a small part of continuing to move the mission forward and allow the Jake Laird Memorial Fund to be a source of assistance for years to come.”
Gary Carroll, a golfer who has played in all 17 outings, said “If you’re looking for a quote, I’d say the Laird outing is the Greatest Spectacle in charitable golf outings. But for me, this is about supporting my friend, Mike, and his family’s sacrifice. It’s about supporting our public servants who put their life on the line every single day. I am thankful that in some way I can give back to our law enforcement officers through this outing.”
Mike and Debbie say they are looking forward to new opportunities to serve the police and fire communities and thank everyone for their participation in this year’s outing. For additional information please visit thejakelairdmemorialtourney.org.