CHICOPEE — Chicopee Country Club Golf Director Mike O’Neill will once again participate in a 108-hole golf marathon to raise funds for cancer research.
The annual Ken O’Neill Dawn to Dusk Golf Marathon returns for its 27th year on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Chicopee Country Club. It is a dedicated fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund, with all proceeds supporting cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. On the day of the event, O’Neill will play 108 holes, six full rounds of golf, in memory of family and friends lost to cancer.
The event started after O’Neill’s uncle, Ken, was diagnosed with colon cancer. They wanted to raise money for cancer research without making it too expensive for people.
Ken asked Mike to participate in a golf marathon, and in the first year, the two of them raised $26,000. Twenty-six years later, Mike said the event has raised over $850,000.
“He knew that he was kind of too far gone, that he wasn’t going to beat it, but he wanted to raise some money for those fighting cancer. So he came up with the idea of a golf marathon,” Mike explained. “He knew he wasn’t going to beat the disease, but he knew this money was going towards cancer research where people are now living a long, healthy life because of how far cancer research has come.”
Mike said the hope is to start this year’s tournament at around 6 a.m. and finish by 4 p.m.
Throughout the day, Mike will be joined by guest golfers, each of whom has a personal connection to the cause, whether through losing loved ones to cancer or through a connection to Ken. He added that he, Thomas Burke and Dave Madsen have been there since year one to help keep this event going.
Although Ken passed away over 20 years ago, Mike and others wanted to continue the golf marathon and reception to honor those they lost to cancer and to raise money for future research.
The event will conclude with the “109th Hole Reception” at 6 p.m. at The Boathouse in South Hadley, 1 Alvord St.
The reception will feature entertainment by 3XSocial, food, a cash bar, an opportunity drawing and silent auction items.
Tickets for the reception are available for $40, with the majority of the proceeds being donated. All are welcome to attend and support the cause. They can be purchased online on Facebook, or a donation can be made to the Jimmy Fund at tinyurl.com/ymctjbzm.
In past years, the event has been in memory of someone who has passed away. This year, Mike said the event is in honor of those who have died because of cancer as well as those who are currently battling the disease.
“They’re the real warriors,” Mike stated. “They’re battling cancer, and we just want to recognize all of those people. We’ve all been touched by cancer one way or another, whether it’s been a relative, a friend, a family member, someone.”
Mike said he will also run in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
“[It’s] very rewarding,” Mike said, regarding his efforts to raise funds for cancer research. “When I hit the last putt on 18 and when I’m at the event and do a little presentation that night and see all the people there, there are people there that have beaten the disease, and there are people there that have lost family members. It’s very touching, it’s very heartwarming and it’s very rewarding.”
