45th Annual Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf Raises More Than $500,000

The 45th Annual Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf event was a “hole in fun!” More than 250 golfers teed off at the JW Marriott Camelback Golf Club in Paradise Valley on Friday, April 27 to raise funds in support of patient care, education and research at Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. One of the longest-running and most-revered golf tournaments in the Valley, this year’s event raised more than $500,000 for the hospital and institution. 

Fun games and challenges entertained the players throughout the two courses. The golf tournament kicked off with a helicopter ball drop. Hundreds of golf balls purchased by raffle players were dropped from a chopper, and the owner of the ball that landed first in the hole won a cash prize. Participants were also able to test their aim using a golf ball cannon capable of launching a golf ball 300 yards. Throughout the course, all par three holes featured hole-in-one prizes, including a Sea-Doo, ATV, Marriott vacation and a private jet trip.

Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf committee member Scottie Button said the event featured, “Great weather, good food, wonderful tee gifts. The pace of play was incredible – better than any charity tournament in which I have ever participated.”
Following the fun on the course, golfers and their guests were invited to a casual after-party and awards reception emceed by news journalist Lin Sue Cooney and sports-radio host Ron Wolfley. The party featured lawn games such as Jenga and cornhole, and entertainment from high-energy dance band SuperHero. Party-goers dined on a buffet featuring fun food and drink pairings like a mac and cheese and martini station, a chicken wings and craft beer station and a dessert and Bailey’s station.

Through the combined efforts of St. Joseph’s Foundation and Barrow Neurological Foundation, along with the generosity of golf enthusiasts in the community, Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf has raised millions of dollars to support critical areas of need throughout the hospital and institute.

Special thanks to the event committee and chairs Erik Jensen and Brandon Wallraff and all sponsors for their support of innovative, life-changing care at Barrow and St. Joseph’s, especially the Evelyn and Lou Grubb Charitable Fund, The Rick Oehme Foundation and Kathy and Dan Grubb.