Fifth annual tournament moves to The Hawthorns
By RICHIE HALL
The legacy of Tyler Trent continues on Monday.
The fifth annual Tee Off For Tyler event takes place at The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club, 12255 Club Point Drive in Fishers. This will be the first time The Hawthorns hosts the event, with opening ceremonies starting around 10:20 a.m. and golfers teeing off at 11 a.m.
The outing benefits the Tyler Trent Foundation, named after the late Purdue University student who inspired people around the state and beyond for his bravery while fighting the aggressive form of bone cancer named osteosarcoma and his enthusiasm for Boilermakers sports. The foundation supports researchers across the country in their fight against pediatric cancer.
The event is full this year. Tony Trent, Tyler’s father, said that for the first time in the tournament’s history, every sponsorship has sold out.
The Tyler Trent Foundation, named after the late Purdue University student who inspired people around the state and beyond for his bravery while fighting the aggressive form of bone cancer named osteosarcoma and his enthusiasm for Boilermakers sports, has raised more than $500,000 for pediatric cancer research. (Pence Media Group)
“We are just so grateful for all the people that want to participate in the outing and be a part of it, and help us to remember who Tyler was and his dream of eradicating pediatric cancer,” said Tony Trent.
The event will feature special guests. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard will return, while former Governor Mitch Daniels and Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam will attend.
Kelly Trent, Tyler’s mother, said that “people notice maybe a little more” whenever well-known guests are in attendance. “That’s just something that’s super helpful.”
Activities at the outing include a helicopter ball drop, a silent auction and a new “heckle hole.” Golfers will have to contend with familiar faces, such as Purdue football players, mascot Purdue Pete, and other volunteers while they try to putt. (Golfers should beware of cowbells and air horns, too.)
“They’re trying to distract golfers while they’re putting and see if we can get them to miss,” said Tony Trent.
INDYCAR driver Christian Rasmussen, fresh off an eighth-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, will also be there. The Tyler Trent Foundation sponsored his car at this year’s race. Indianapolis Colts players will also be in attendance.
“Anybody that can be there to help raise awareness for the need, we welcome,” said Tony Trent.
The silent auction items are live and available at this website, and one does not need to be at the golf outing to participate. Kelly Trent said the auction is full of “a lot of cool experiences and items.”
That includes an autographed jersey from Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, a helmet that former Purdue quarterback wore at the Boilermakers’ 2018 game with Ohio State. There are also tickets to the Eagles concert at The Sphere in Las Vegas, multiple vacations to destinations such as Norway, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Mexico, and zoom calls with ESPN and other sports personalities.
Kelly Trent said there are still some auction items trickling in, and people are welcome to donate items as well for upcoming events, such as the foundation’s benefit concert in July.
“We will take any item and use it for the benefit of raising money for cancer research,” she said. You can email Kelly Trent at katrent@sbcglobal.net to donate any potential auction or raffle items.
The Tyler Trent Foundation has raised more than $500,000 for cancer research and donations are welcome. The foundation is launching a new monthly giving campaign called the Tyler Trent Captain’s Club, which allows participants exclusive access to the impacts of their donations and special invites to events.
“We’re hoping to provide an avenue for people to give smaller gifts,” said Tony Trent. “Give us $15 a month or $10 a month, whatever they can afford to just get involved.”
Tony Trent said that his son’s likeness and name have raised over $3 million with different entities, such as Purdue, Indiana University and the V Foundation.
“Our goal is to end pediatric cancer,” said Tony Trent. “That was Tyler’s dream, that was our dream. We want to give to people that we feel are making headway and have the best chances of ending this terrible disease.”
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