The First Annual Gift of Life Golf Classic was held November 6th and 7th at the Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera, California. Hosted by Jon DeChambeau, father of young PGA Golfer Bryson DeChambeau, the tournament benefited the Fresno Nephrology Kidney Foundation.
Jon DeChambeau will receive a kidney transplant soon, thanks to former Fresno State Men’s Golf Coach Mike Watney, who has agreed to donate one of his. A true meaning of the phrase, “the gift of life.”
“The golf tournament is to raise funds for the association so we can do more education and also assist with some of the dialysis patients that have travel issues. They offer a lot of help with that now, and it’s a very expensive venture,” DeChambeau said.
“Fresno Nephrology Kidney Foundation serves about 4,000 patients who are on dialysis for kidney failure,” said foundation assistant May Cha. The foundation assists patients and families in the local community, and the Gift of Life Golf Classic raises funds for programs to support awareness, prevention, and treatment of Kidney-related issues.
Playing in the tournament that day was 52-year-old Del Hogan. “It was a really nice day, a really happy tournament to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation,” said Hogan. A golfer for 15 years, Hogan experienced his first ever hole in one, adding to the joyful atmosphere.
“I didn’t expect it at all. There wasn’t much wind, so I used my 4 iron to make the 181-yard shot. I thought to myself ‘OK, that’s good. We’ll be close to the pin at least.’ I felt I had hit it well, but when the spotter flagged us down, I was shocked,” recounted Hogan. “The spotter ran down to the hole, and then gave me a thumbs-up, and we just went crazy. It was an awesome experience, and to have my first ever hole in one count for something made it that much sweeter.”
Hogan won a 3-year lease on a brand-new Jaguar F-Pace, compliments of Haron Jaguar Land Rover. “It’s a beautiful car, I really love it. My old truck was starting to fall apart, so it really couldn’t have worked out better. Every day, I feel like I’m spoiling myself when I drive to work. And it all happened so quickly and smoothly. It was a great tournament, and I was very happy with the whole process. Haron Jaguar Land Rover really treated me right, and the easy fulfillment process just added to that.”
J. Ryder Group / Jaguar Land Rover Hole in One Program is very proud to be a part of this momentous occasion. On behalf of our team and the great folks at Haron Jaguar Land Rover, we would like to give a BIG congratulations to Del and a special thank you to everyone for supporting such a great cause!
