44th Annual Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf and Gala
The 44th Annual Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf & Gala attracted almost 500 partygoers to honor two great Arizona legends, while raising thousands of dollars to support the hospital that brought the two together.
One of the longest-running and most treasured charitable golf events in the Valley the annual event generated $600,000 to support patient care, medical education and research at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute.
The two-day event kicked off at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, beginning with cocktails and casino fun, and capped off with a sumptuous dinner and live auction. The evening featured a tribute to the event’s namesake, legendary car dealer Lou Grubb, and to Dr. Robert Spetzler, who is retiring as president and CEO of Barrow after 34 years of service.
Though their backgrounds were vastly different, the two shared commonalities as pioneers in their careers with a passion for caring for others. Fate brought them together in 1986 when Grubb suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. His family transferred him to St. Joseph’s Hospital to be treated at Barrow, where Spetzler had just assumed the position of director for his mastery of treating brain and spine disorders.
With Spetzler’s help, Grubb enjoyed 25 more years of life, enjoying family, friends and his favorite game – golf. He designated St. Joseph’s and Barrow to receive all funds raised by the annual tournament he had established in 1975 to support local charities. The millions raised by the event over the past three decades have contributed to St. Joseph’s and Barrow’s ascent in patient care, medical education and research.
Tom Reahard was presented with the Lou and Evelyn Grubb Spirit Award, recognizing his many years of service to organizing the Lou Friends Fore Golf & Gala and serving the community.
This year’s tournament was hosted at the JW Marriott Camelback Golf Club, attracting 240 of golfers. Just before tee-off, Valley traffic reporter Bruce Haffner whirled to the course in his Penguin Air Newschopper for the helicopter ball drop, in which one lucky sinner – John Staren – earned a $2,000 cash prize.
PHOTOS COURTESY ST. JOSEPH’S FOUNDATION
Golfers anticipate the helicopter golf-ball drop.
John Staren, center, the lucky winner of the $2,000 jackpot in the helicopter golf-ball drop with tournament organizers Dan Grubb, left, and Roger Maxwell, right
Dr. Robert Spetzler
Bill Anderson; Linda Hunt, CEO Dignity Health’s Arizona service area; and Tom Reahard
Roger Maxwell present Tom Reahard with the Lou and Evelyn Grubb Spirit Award.
