SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Since 1984, every running of the LPGA's Dana Open has proven special in its own way.
The annual tournament has raised nearly $14 million for more than 200 northwest Ohio children's charities.
Next month's 40th tournament will again tee off at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, and highlight youth health with the recently launched "Champions for Children" initiative.
"It truly gave me new perspective, there's so much that I need to be grateful for," said amateur golfer Mia Hammond. "Some people don't have it easy and knowing that I can put a smile on their face for a few minutes is so important to me. It's great to give back."
The 16-year-old made waves at the Dana Open last year after finishing in the top 30 despite it being her first professional event played.
On Monday, she found herself in awe visiting two Toledo children's hospitals alongside veteran golfer Stacy Lewis.
"Just to get to celebrate them and what they're going through, putting a smile on their face and allowing them to forget about what's going on for a little bit, that's really what it's all about," Toledo-born Lewis said.
Six children in northwest Ohio are sharing their stories and are labeled the 2024 Patient Champions. The oldest of the group is 18-year-old Lilly Herr of Metamora.
"It's usually young children or older adults, so, it's hard to find people who had cancer in adolescence like we are. I'm glad to be out here representing," she said.
Lilly, along with Toledo's Addie Oberhouse, 17, are both diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma yet are already noticing the benefits of what the Dana Open is providing.
"It's awesome, all of these people can come and take home cards with our face on them," Addie said. "That's just crazy and they know our story, so they can read about us. It's just really cool."
Greyson Mich will behold perhaps the biggest honor. The 8-year-old from Perrysburg, who is battling a congenital heart disease, will hit the ceremonial first tee shot on Day 1 of the tournament, scheduled for July 18.
Although he's still working on perfecting that moment, simply having the opportunity to be honored at Highland Meadows takes some of the troubles away for Greyson and all of the other kids. Not only that, they all got to learn how to swing from Lewis and Hammond on Monday, too.
"Something I haven't done since I was a kid," Lilly said. "I did it a little but not really, so getting to do it again was fun."
Professional golfers make the sport look easy, but as the teenagers found out, it takes some work.
"All I've ever done is putt-putt and this is definitely a lot harder," Addie said. "This was fun though, I liked it."
To learn more about all six Patient Champions, click here. The full list includes:
- Lilly, 18 years old, Metamora, Hodgkin lymphoma
- Addie, 17 years old, Toledo, classic Hodgkin lymphoma
- Sage, 15 years old, Clyde, common variable immune deficiency
- Myla, 9 years old, New Riegel, acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Greyson, 8 years old, Perrysburg, congenital heart disease
- Isaac, 8 years old, Archbold, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia