A patient from each Shriners Hospitals for Children location will have the experience of a lifetime in October when they represent their local hospitals as standard bearers at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open during the tournament’s final two rounds October 5 and 6. Each patient has an inspiring story to share and each was nominated to attend the tournament so that they could enjoy an experience they’ll never forget: not only spending a weekend at a PGA TOUR tournament, but also meeting fellow patients.
As standard bearers, they will carry the scores of the PGA TOUR players during the final two rounds of the tournament for a rare, “inside the ropes” experience, in addition to having the opportunity to demonstrate how Shriners Hospitals for Children has transformed their lives.
“Our patients are so excited to have the chance to represent their local Shriners Hospitals for Children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, and to meet patients from other locations throughout the country,” said Ed Stolze, Imperial Oriental Guide and chairman of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open committee. “These kids are so thrilled to have the chance to get up close and personal at a PGA TOUR tournament and to meet professional golfers. But the more lasting experience for them will be the friendships they make and the strong bonds they form with each other. It’s nothing short of heart-warming for us as Shriners. Many patients from previous years are still in close touch with each other.”
To help defray the costs of sending 22 patients to Las Vegas for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Shriners Hospitals are conducting their third annual #FundraiseFORELove campaign. Each patient has a special fundraising website that includes their biography.
“The goal of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is to raise awareness of the great medical care provided every day at Shriners Hospitals for Children locations throughout North America and around the world through outreach clinics. The work those hospitals do to help transform the lives of children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, cleft lip and palate and spinal cord injuries has positioned Shriners Hospitals for Children as a global force for kids,” said Patrick Lindsey, executive director of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. “We want to provide these children with an opportunity to see some of the best golfers in the world compete here in Las Vegas and leave with lasting memories and friendships.”
Meet the 2019 Shriners Hospitals for Children Standard Bearers
