GOLFIN’ AROUND
Professionals work with kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Bryson Dechambeau bent down, intently observing a young boy preparing to swing a golf club. After a few seconds of watching him, Dechambeau stood up and performed an imaginary putt, showing the boy how his technique should look.
The boy, 13-year-old Dakota Cunningham, tried to emulate the No. 7ranked golfer’s instructions, but his first two putts were slightly off track.
The third putt, a perfect shot into the hole, garnered a look of approval from Dechambeau as he looked at the kid and commented, “Nice. That’s a good stroke.”
Pro golfers Dechambeau, Chez Reavie and Max Homa spent a portion of their Tuesday in the Danny Thomas Pavilion at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital playing miniature golf with children and their parents for the St. Jude Women’s Club Patient Golf-around.
“He’s a very inquisitive kid, very young, bright kid that has a future,” Dechambeau said of Cunningham. “He’s very on par with the game of golf.”
“(Dechambeau) has a lot of very unique ... philosophies,” said Cunningham, a PGA Jr. League golfer.
Golfers and children worked through a makeshift golf course with several
“It’s such an inspiration to see these kids and what they’ve achieved in their life ... . They still have hope every day and that gives me hope and inspires me to become better.”
Bryson Dechambeau
holes and the St. Jude name and logo printed across the center. The three pros worked with kids on their putts, took photos and signed golf clubs, gloves and other memorabilia.
Children munched on golf-themed doughnuts, while others tinkered with arts and crafts.
“It’s such an inspiration to see these kids and what they’ve achieved in their life,” Dechambeau said, “albeit, they’ve had a very difficult upbringing from what they had to deal with. They still have hope every day, and that gives me hope and inspires me to become better.”
The Golf-a-round is one of many events bringing the most impressive group of golfers ever for the inaugural WGC-FEDEX St. Jude Invitational closer to the Memphis community before they tee off Thursday.
“This will raise (St. Jude’s) profile on the world stage,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “I’m looking forward to seeing the best golfers in the world, and I’m looking forward to them experiencing our great city and all that our city has to offer. And I hope and pray that several of them and their lives grow closer to our mission of finding cures and saving children.”
Cunningham said he plans to head to TPC Southwind on Wednesday for another event and will pay close attention to the tournament.
Despite the pointers from Dechambueau, Cunningham said he’ll be rooting for some other golfers this weekend.
“I like Henrik Stenson . ... I’m pretty sure he’s here, isn’t he?” Cunningham said. “Rory (Mciroy) will be pretty cool. Those are two of my favorites.”