By RICHIE HALL
Mark Needham shared this photo of him with Tyler Trent at the 2018 Music City Bowl in Nashville. “He
was a real special individual,” said Needham. (Photo provided)
FISHERS – The fifth annual Tee Off For Tyler golf outing was another success.
The event took place Monday at The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club in Fishers and was conducted by the Tyler Trent Foundation. The outing raised nearly $200,000 for cancer research, a record amount that surpassed last year’s amount by around $70,000.
The outing and foundation are named after Tyler Trent, the beloved Purdue sports fan who inspired the nation with his bravery while fighting cancer. Tyler’s parents Kelly and Tony Trent were happy for the support, with Tony noting that for the first time ever, “we’ve sold out every possible sponsorship.”
“We’re driving around out on the course, so we’re getting to talk to people and get feedback, and it’s just so encouraging,” said Kelly Trent. “Just the nice things that people have to say and the encouragement that we get about the golf outing in general and just remembering Tyler. All the support that we’re getting is unbelievable.”
“It’s incredibly, incredibly heartwarming to have this happen, to know that everybody still cares about Tyler’s life and ultimately cares about raising money for the kids,” said Tony Trent.
A new feature this year was the “heckle hole.” Four Purdue football players, including Carmel’s own, defensive lineman Winston Berglund, gave golfers stepping up to one of the tees something else to think about while hitting the ball, using noisemakers, megaphones and many smart remarks.
“He would’ve loved every minute of it,” said Kelly Trent, and Tony Trent agreed. “He would’ve been on the heckle hole,” he said.
In addition to the golf, the event featured a silent auction, which included VIP sports experiences, autographed sports gear and several vacation packages.
Four Purdue University football players were part of the “heckle hole,” trying to distract golfers from hitting their tee shots. Pictured from left: Linebacker Winston Berglund (Carmel), offensive lineman Mason Vicari (Sacramento), offensive lineman Max Parrott (Centennial, Colo.) and tight end George Burhenn (McCordsville). (Richie Hall)
The “heckle hole” contingent try to distract Clint Wetherill, Fishers, as he gets ready to hit his tee shot. (Richie Hall)
Be the first to comment on "Tee Off For Tyler raises nearly $200,000"