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| Braden Tamosaitis gets a few tips from defending champion Lorie Kane. |
Braden Tamosaitis got to roll
some putts on the Pete Dye Course on Saturday and also meet many of the players
competing in the second round of the LPGA Legends Championship at French Lick
Resort.
Braden,
age 9, enjoyed the experience thoroughly and the players he touched most
certainly did, as well.
“He’s
a special little kid,’’ summed up Dave Harner, director of golf at French Lick.
Braden
was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and Arnold Chiari II
malformation. He underwent surgery the day after he was born and again on
the second day of his life. Altogether he’s had 17 surgeries, but they
haven’t dimmed his spirit for life. He was delighted to report that a
couple of putts on the practice green even found the hole.
“He’s
a very happy kid, and a better interview than I am,’’ said his father, Kevin,
who drove his family over two hours (from Camby, Ind., near Indianapolis) on
Friday night so that they could participate in Saturday’s Walk for Riley while
the Legends tournament was in progress.
Riley
Children’s Foundation is the new charity partner with the Legends Championship.
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health will received a check for $100,000
following Sunday’s final round to continue its work with families dealing with
severe health problems.
“French
Lick really stepped up,’’ said Kevin Tamosaitis. “We’ve been welcomed with open
arms and treated like VIPs.’’
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| Emcee Steve Rondinaro announces Sherri Steinhauer at the first tee. |
Harner knew
of Braden and the Riley Hospital programs because his own son was involved in
the Riley Dance Marathon at Indiana University.
“Riley
affects all 92 counties in the state of Indiana plus Kentucky, Illinois and
Ohio,’’ said Joe Vezzoso, vice president of hotel operations for French Lick
Resort. “This is a win-win for everyone.’’
The
Tamosaitis family isn’t new to the special events tied into Riley
Hospital. Braden was named Indiana’s 2013 Children’s Miracle Network
Hospitals Champion, and that enabled him to represent the state in a
celebratory event in Orlando, Fla., and then take a flight to Washington, D.C.,
where – among other things -- he met with President Obama.
Braden’s
battle with spina bifida, though, continues. He watched Saturday’s event from a
wheelchair near the No. 8 tee where he was presented by the French Lick Resort
golf staff with his first two golf clubs, cut down allowing him to hit shots
and putt.
More
surgeries at Riley Hospital wouldn’t be unexpected.
“He
looks forward to them,’’ said his father, “because he gets room service and his
friends are there, both patients and doctors. He’s very comfortable
there. It’s not like a home-away-from-home; it’s like our other home.’’
Five
families from Riley Hospital participated in Saturday’s Walk. They were
scattered around the course, and those participating in the Walk got to
interact with the Riley families. That made the Walk all the more special for
over 75 youngsters who came from all parts of the area.
“The
First Tee of Louisville brought 35 kids,’’ said Harner. “We had them from three
years old through high school.’’
Walk
participants and the Riley Hospital families participated together in an
introductory event on the Dye Course putting green, with two of the LPGA competitors
– Lorie Kane and Ann-Marie Palli – offered instruction. Then the families
went to checkpoints along the course and the Walk for Riley participants took
off on a tour of the spectacular, hilly course. They received stickers at each
checkpoint and those who covered the full 18 holes received a small gift upon
completion of the hike.
Story provided by Len Ziehm -
Chicago based freelance golf writer
Media can access photos and video
highlights of Braden on the FTP site below: