Professional golfers visit Beacon Children's patients ahead of Four Winds Invitational

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Ahead of the Four Winds Invitational, athletes from the Epson Tour golfers visited patients at Beacon Children's Hospital, the beneficiary of the annual golf tournament.

"I really like to give back to younger girls and younger kids, generally, just grow the game and stuff," said professional golfer Tomiare Jola.

The Four Winds Invitational is sponsored by the Pokagon Band and their Four Winds Casinos. Beacon Children's Hospital was selected as the beneficiary for the 13th year since the tournament began.

According to Jen Tonkovich, the hospital's director for women and children's services, they've raised almost $1 million through this event, and they use the money to buy equipment. They've been able to purchase things like transport ambulances, incubators, baby warmers, intubation equipment, and more.

The funds raised this year will go toward the purchase of 20 new infant syringe feeding pumps for the NICU.

"I think it's also great on the other end to give our kids aspirations," Tonkovich said. "When you have these professional golfers who are coming in here and interacting with the kids, it really highlights women's sports and the opportunities that are Out there for young girls in our community."

"When I was a kid, I feel like women's golf was just coming on the rise," said Epson Tour golfer Alexis Miestowski. "I mean, even growing up, I played with 56-year-old guys because there was nobody else to play with."

Now, these golfers aspire to inspire the next generation of golfers and female athletes.

"I mean this is so important, just being able to give back while we do what we love, and then hopefully just hopefully just sparking some interest within these kids," said Epson Tour golfer Erica Shepherd. "It feels awesome just to know we're part of something bigger than just a golf tournament."

"Just the fact that we can brighten their day makes the tournament feel like I won," Miestowski said.

The Four Winds Invitational tees off Friday at 8 a.m. at the South Bend Country Club.