Joe Theismann to headline banquet for 18 FORE Life

On May 31 at the Dexter Elks Lodge 18 FORE Life will hold its 15th annual banquet. Once again it will be headlined by two speakers who will both motivate and inspire those in attendance.

Dexter resident Mark Guethle will share the inspirational story of his battle against cancer. Guethle, a 1976 graduate of Dexter High School, and his wife, Sharon, have two sons, Shawn and Chris, and five grandchildren.

The featured speaker of the evening will be retired NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann. Theismann played for the Washington Redskins from 1974 to 1985, winning Super Bowl XVII.

“He (Theismann) will be motivational and inspirational,” said 18 FORE Life Founder Scott Kruse, “and Mark Guethle, he is great, he is funny and it’s going to be good.”

“I never want someone to say yes and not want to get up there,” Kruse continued. “He (Guethle) is excited about sharing his story, he will be funny and inspiring and everything the night is about.”

The 18 FORE Life charity was founded in 2000 by Scott and his brother, Ben, and two of their friends. It originally started out as a day on the golf course.

“We really did it for the party,” said Kruse, “It was like, man if we just had a really fun afternoon on the golf course.”

Kruse said they decided if they could make any money at all, it would be a little fundraiser and send it in and call it a fun afternoon. The original charity chosen for the money raised was the V Foundation, a cancer research foundation named for the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano.

After two years, Kruse said they realized they needed to keep the money local. Kruse stated in their biggest tournament in the first four years they raised $54,000, and they never thought it would grow that large. It has only grown larger.

The banquet was added in the fifth year of the charity. The year prior, Kruse said he and Ben started talking about adding something to the tournament. Their father, Charles Kruse, was a good friend of former Missouri basketball coach Norm Stewart, at the time.

“My brother was like, all dad would have to do is ask Norm and he would come play golf,” said Kruse, “and that would be a big deal.”

Following Ben’s death in 2004, it was decided to make that a reality.

“He (Stewart) not only played golf but he spoke the night before,” Kruse said, “Norm Stewart became our first speaker.”

Kruse said they have given away over $2.4 million in love offerings. A fishing tournament has been added and a bowling tournament will be brought back next year.

This year’s banquet and golf tournament will each feature a silent auction. Mini games will take place on the golf course. A limited edition Club Car Golf Cart will be raffled off as well. Kruse stated this is an anniversary edition and a limited number were produced. Tickets can be purchased at Allen Christian for $20 each.

Each year a video is shown at the banquet featuring highlights from the previous year’s banquet and tournament. This year’s video will include a tribute to Ryder Boles, a Dexter High School student who won his battle with cancer.

Kruse stated there is more cancer than money. The toughest part, he said, is people needing help and having to wait until a fundraiser takes place.

“That is what stinks,” said Kruse. “There is more cancer than funds.”

Kruse says he is amazed at the strength and perseverance of those battling cancer, regardless of their age.

“Where do they get this strength and attitude?” said Kruse, “You see this side of them that says I’m going to fight this thing and win.”

“I feel like this is who we represent when we put on this event,” he continued. “We represent everyone we have given to. Whether they have passed on, whether you want to say won or lost, I feel like they have all won, just in the way that they fight. ”

The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. May 31 at the Dexter Elks Lodge and the banquet will start at 6 p.m. The golf tournament will start at 7 a.m. the next day at Hidden Trails Country Club.