From Staff Reports
The Butch Brown Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the United Cancer Assistance Network is a legacy of the late banker's passion to help area cancer patients. The annual event will be Friday at Westwood Hills Country Club in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Brown was UCAN board president when he died in a motorcycle accident a few days before the first golf tournament.
"Butch had a real passion for UCAN," said Dennis Hanes, who is board president. "Before I was even on the board he inspired me. Butch, in the early days when money was tight, would take money from his own pocket to help the people."
Hanes' first involvement with the group was as a certified public accountant, but the time he spent helping and watching Brown made his interest in the organization grow.
"Butch was great in figuring ways to help people fighting cancer," Hanes said. "His passing prompted me to get on the board and I am now president."
Hanes said, "People in Poplar Bluff like to help their neighbors. They like to have a name or face when they give a dollar" and when they give to UCAN they do.
Another board member, Marsha LeGrand, describes Brown as an icon and holding the golf tournament in his memory is "very fitting. His passion led me to volunteer" with UCAN and the tournament, and "it is one of the most rewarding and best things I have done."
"Cancer touches everybody in every walk of life," LeGrand said. "This is why we have such good community support. So many patients who have survived cancer want to contribute."
Watching LeGrand volunteer and seeing the need for other volunteers inspired Don and Sally Metz to become more involved with the tournament, as well as UCAN. They have co-chaired the event for eight years.
Sally Metz said Don, who is a cancer survivor, explained to her "Sally, we need to do this. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem."
While the Metzs know many people's lives have been touched by UCAN's support, they know recovering from the devastating flooding in the region has kept everyone busy, but there is still time to get involved with the golf tournament. Metz said if you need more information, call them at 573-718-1472 or contact Melody Melloy at 573-776-1892 or Fax: 573-776-1637.
Check in/lunch for the annual event will be at noon, Metz said. A shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.
A Gold sponsor's fee of $600 includes entry fee for a four-person team, two cart fees, hole sponsorship signage, Gold team recognition, mulligans, red tee (men)/200 yard marker shot(women), skins game, 50/50 pot and prize drawing.
Other sponsorship opportunities are hole sponsor for $100 and cart sign sponsor for $25. Entry fee is $125 per golfer - cart included: plus mulligans, red tee/200 yard marker shot, skins game, 50/50 pot and prize drawing.
Lunch and beverages are provided. Prizes for the top three teams in each flight are provided.
Checks should be made payable to UCAN.