Driving Hope: Golf Tournaments Keeping Legacies Alive for Families Affected by Addiction
Addiction is a relentless adversary that affects not only the individual who succumbs to it but also their entire family. For many, the pain of losing a loved one to addiction is compounded by the desire to keep their memory alive and create something positive from the tragedy. One inspiring way that families cope with this loss and offer support to others is by organizing golf tournaments. These events not only honor the memory of those who have passed but also serve as a beacon of hope for those still struggling with addiction. This month’s Game Changers are four families who have channeled their grief into something remarkable – golf tournaments that help others and keep legacies alive.
Turning Grief into Action
The loss of a loved one to addiction is a deeply painful experience. Families often feel a sense of helplessness and grief that can be overwhelming. However, many have chosen to turn their grief into action. The families of Matthew Malone, Kellen Leach, Jake McMahon, and Rob Keener have done just that by taking a stand against addiction by creating a lasting tribute to their loved ones. Each has organized a golf tournament as a way to channel their sorrow and create something positive from a tragic situation and collectively, have raised over $300,000 for the mission of Herren Project.
Creating Lasting Legacies
Each event itself becomes a memorial, a celebration of life, and an opportunity to share stories and memories. Participants gather not just to play golf but to remember the person lost to addiction. It’s a powerful way to ensure that their memory lives on.
The Rob Keener Memorial Golf Outing
The Rob Keener Memorial Golf Outing led by Marc Spivack and family completed its 7th year raising over $167,000 to help other families and loved ones affected by the disease of addiction. Year after year, this incredible team hosts their event at Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses in The Bronx, NY, with over a hundred golfers.
The event was started in memory of their loved one, Rob Keener, who lost his life to an overdose on March 11, 2017, at the age of 35. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a friend. Rob was an incredibly kind soul with a giant heart, but above all, he was the most incredible father to his two young boys. While Rob’s passing was earth-shattering, they turned this horrible tragedy into something positive, partnering with Herren Project. This event has created not only a lasting impact on the people Herren Project serves but also a legacy in Rob’s memory that will never be forgotten.
The MPM Memorial Golf Tournament
The MPM Memorial Golf Tournament, led by Mike Malone and his family and friends, completed their fifth year this year, raising over $70,000 for Herren Project. They hold this annual event at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, MA, in memory of Matthew.
Matthew passed away from an overdose on October 6, 2017, at the age of 27. Matthew was a son, brother, and friend, and someone Herren Project helped along his journey. Our relationship with the Malone family has grown beyond the tournament over the past five years, with the privilege to have Matthew’s sister Jenna as a youth ambassador who started a Herren Project Club at her high school. Although Matthew is missed everyday, the legacy that has been built in his memory is far-reaching and impactful.
18 For Jake Memorial Golf Tournament
The 18 For Jake Memorial Golf Tournament, led by Marcy McMahon and her family, held their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament at Segregansett Country Club in Taunton, MA. Their beloved Jake lost his life to an overdose on August 3, 2021, at the age of 29. Herren Project was there to support Jake in his recovery. His sister Jenna, an active member of Team Herren Project, always running in his honor. Jake was always available to help others struggling with addiction as well as their families during his life. Jake was a conscientious, hard worker and loved to golf any chance he got. Jake had a beautiful soul and an infectious smile, and he was sensitive and caring, a great listener, and always could make anyone laugh.
Although Jake lost his battle with the disease of addiction, we are grateful to continue to walk with the McMahon family in keeping Jake’s legacy alive. In just two years of the golf tournament, they have raised over $40k to help others gain another chance at life.
Kellen Leach Memorial Golf Outing for Alumni and Friends of Herren Wellness
This year marked the 1st tournament in memory of Kellen Leach. A former guest at Herren Wellness, Kellen’s mother and sister, Marie and Michaela, wanted to remember Kellen on the one-year anniversary of his passing by giving back and coming together with the “family” he created at Herren Wellness. Thus the Kellen Leach Memorial Tournament was born.
Kellen passed away on September 15, 2022, at the age of 31 from an overdose. Kellen had quick-witted humor, a giving spirit, a contagious laugh, and a larger-than-life personality that will never be forgotten. Family and friends came together at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth, MA, to remember Kellen and celebrate his life. The weather did not 100% cooperate, but that is okay as all the golfers came together for fellowship, with over $27,000 raised to give others another chance at recovery through Herren Project.
Building a Community of Hope
Addiction is a silent struggle that affects countless individuals and families. By organizing a golf tournament, families affected by addiction can also raise awareness about this issue and start a conversation about addiction. Participants, sponsors, and volunteers come together to share stories, offer support, and build a network of hope. This community provides a safe space for individuals to connect and understand that they are not alone in their struggles. They also contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding addiction, which is often a barrier to recovery.
One of the most beautiful things about these Herren Project tournaments is the community and support each of the event coordinators has given to one another over the years, even sponsoring each other’s events. When the Malone family approached Herren Project to do a tournament, they were immediately connected to Marc Spivack. Marc offered guidance and support to the Malone’s to get their tournament off the ground. When the McMahon family reached out after they lost Jake to host a tournament, they were connected to Mike Malone, who then offered his support and guidance to Marcy McMahon to help her tournament be a success. Finally, this past March, when the Leach Family wanted to do their own tournament for Kellen, we connected them with Marcy and Mike, who again offered their support to make their tournament a success. Each of these families also became sponsors of each other’s events. The chain reaction of these tournaments, the support and healing they give to each other, is what recovery and the ripple effect are all about. It is incredible to see and a testament to the community and connection built through Herren Project.
Golf tournaments organized by families affected by addiction are a powerful way to keep legacies alive and provide hope to others. They transform grief into action, create lasting legacies, raise awareness, support recovery initiatives, and build a community of hope. These events remind us that even in the face of addiction’s devastation, there is room for healing and positive change. The courage and determination of these families are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the potential to create something beautiful out of tragedy.
Thank you to the family and friends of Rob Keener, Matthew Malone, Jacob McMahon, and Kellen Leach. We are honored to walk with each of you in keeping the legacy of your loved one alive.
If you have been touched by addiction, consider getting involved in or supporting one of these golf tournaments in your community or starting one of your own. It might just be the beacon of hope you need. Reach out to our development team at [email protected].
