On June 23, numerous celebrities came together with volunteers and staff from the Barbara Bush Children’s Center to bring support to the first annual Drive Fore Kids Golf Tournament, held at the Falmouth Country Club. The invitational helped raise more than $100,000 for Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Maine’s only full-service children’s hospital.
According to WGME, It was a jam-packed three-day event as fans got to see a star-studded line-up from the sports and entertainment world tee it up for a great cause. Some of the celebrities that took part included Patrick Dempsey, Roger Clemens, Kevin Millar, Tim Wakefield, Katherine Tappen, Tuukka Rask and Jeremy Swayman.
Photo credit: Falmouth Country Club StaffGHS student-athlete Emily Beal pictured with Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman
Hall of Famer, Tim Wakefield played 17 seasons for the Red Sox and is a current sportscaster for NESN network, is known for his strong support and commitments to Maine charities and events. Following the 2004 Red Sox World Series win, he and teammates Kevin Millar and Derek Lowe arrived at the Portland Jetport only days after the World Series to participate in a tennis tournament at the University of Southern Maine to raise money for the same cause. The players signed a great quantity of autographs, especially for the Gorham kids present that day. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and the same celebs with the addition of so many more, made it back to town.
One of the fans lucky enough to catch up with one of the celebs is GHS Junior, Emily Beal. Beal met Bruins goaltender, Jeremy Swayman, former UMaine Black Bears player drafted in 2017. Beal herself, plays goalie for the Varsity Ice Hockey team that went to their first-ever finals championship game in Gorham Girl’s Ice Hockey history.
The invitational golf tournament will continue next year with Falmouth Country Club as home to Drive Fore Kids. This event provides fans and sponsors with invaluable experiences.