When I was first asked to take part in this event I was immediately excited. I was not sure if it was the full day of golf that got me out of my seat and dancing or the fact that I would have the chance to help raise money for and be a part of the second annual Show Hope Golf Classic outing. The Show Hope Golf Classic is something that was started by IMAVEX, an Indianapolis based web design and SEO firm, last year. It was put into place to help raise money for the Show Hope Foundation.
Steven Curtis Chapman is the man behind the curtain when it comes to the Show Hope Foundation, formerly known as Shaohannah’s Hope. The foundation raises money and awareness for orphans all over the world. The Show Hope Golf Classic, on the other hand, is designed to not only help raise money but to also get more folks involved on the ground level. Last year the Show Hope Golf Classic took place at the Hawthorn’s Golf Club here in Fishers, Indiana. It included over ninety players and had it’s own set of rules that forced everyone on the course to have a good time.
This year, taking place at the same golf course, it was narrowed down to only 18 players, but yet included a different set of rules than before. This year players would spend a few months prior to the event raising money for the charity. Each player would take part in a series of competitions in an effort to raise the most money. It became a game of bragging rights very early on as some of the participants were making side bets on their own to see who could raise the most money. It was all in good fun and in the end actually helped push us all over the top.
I did not raise the most money, but I did get the chance to be a part of the day’s events. On Monday, October 5th, 2009 all 18 players walked to the first tee knowing what lie ahead of them. Twelve hours later every man had finished an eleven-hour day of golf having played a total of 100 holes of golf. The event was even coined as the 100 Holes of Hope.
My day started out great with a bomb right down the middle of the fairway. I was a little nervous, as it was one, cold outside since the sun had only been up for less than an hour, but two, it was soaking wet from all of that mornings dew. However, I stepped right up and blistered one right down the middle. I would proceed with a shot just short of the green and would get up and in for a starting par.
I would play decent the first few holes, and then I began to warm up. Throughout the day, and based on a loose scoring system, I managed to card a few eagles, a dozen or so birdies, and three holes in one. Now, before you get all excited, let me explain the aces to you here.
The way the scoring worked, and to speed up the pace of play as getting 100 holes of golf in in one day is a task in of itself, we were allowed to consider it good if it was within a few feet of the cup. There was no lining up putts and once a side we were allowed to take a “pullie” meaning that if the ball was inside the pin it was considered a continuation therefore the same shot you hit to get the ball there. So, on hole three, I stuck an eight iron to five foot, just inside the length of the stick. Therefore I received my first of three holes in one for the day. So yes, I got a hole in one, but by the rules of the Show Hope Golf Classic.
I played with a co-worker and an incredible golfer named Zach Miller. He had played high school and college golf down at IU in Bloomington, and I had wanted to play with this guy since the day I met him. He always talked about how far he hit the ball and how good he was but I just had to see it for myself. After 100 holes, and a few three hundred plus yard drives, I will vouch if anyone ever doubts his skill set. This guy can play, and I am glad that I got the chance to share the same fairways with him. He carries a 0.9 USGA handicap index and hits the ball thirty to forty yards past me every time. He also made more putts on Monday afternoon than I thought possible. Every time he had a putt I knew it was either going in or missing on the lip leaving him a tap in.
By the end of the day I was tired, but not as tired as I thought I would be. That would come the next morning as I lay in bed till just after 9:00 AM aching and moaning my pains into my pillow. I finally made it up and to the shower but worked from home that morning due to aching legs, arms, hands; and the list goes on. But it was all worth it in the end for the money we raised for such a great charity.
At the end of the event on Monday Marathon Event Marketing, the group that put this event together, wrote a check to the Show Hope Foundation for just over $30,000. In about three months a set of eighteen guys raised over $30,000 for these orphans. It was incredible to be a part of this and I am already looking forward to next year’s event. On a much more serious note, we were told that in the eleven hours that we played golf on that Monday, 2,200 new orphans were discovered somewhere on this planet. That number is sobering in any conversation. I am not a father myself, but I highly encourage you, if planning on becoming one in the near future, to consider adoption as a solution to parenthood.
In the end my legs and hands might have hurt but I am still alive. I am alive to live another day and to be able to share my story with you. I did not collect as much money as I wanted for this event, but I honestly feel that what I did raise will make a difference in someone’s life. If a sport that I have grown to love and to become pretty good at can change the life of someone out there then I am winner in my eyes. Thank you to everyone that had any foot in this event, as well. It was a great day of golf, a great day of conversation, and I am glad to say that I have survived the 100 holes of hope!
