sissy wheeler,foundation.luriechildrens.org/_wrappers/proam/2014/docs/historical... · the idea—...

– 1 –

It’s been saId that good ideas are common; what’s

uncommon are people who will work hard enough to bring them about.

Decades ago, members of the Founders’ Board and their friends had

both the vision and the resolve to create a new channel of ongoing

support for the patients and families at Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Now fifty years later, we remember and celebrate those individuals

whose hard work and generosity created the most successful annual

fundraising event in the hospital’s history. We also look forward and

are reminded of what needs to be done to ensure this time-honored

tradition of giving continues for generations to come.

The Founders’ Board scored a hole-in-one in 1961 when it introduced an innovative new fundraising venture: The Children’s Memorial Hospital Pro Amateur Golf Championship.

Pictured at one of the first tournaments are Lulu Runnells, Corky Cathcart and June Seaman.

’

– 1 –

“�The�Pro�Am�is�for�the�children.�It’s�an�exceedingly��

lovely�thing�to�do,�to�give�money�to�Children’s�Memorial��

Hospital,�because�it�is�a�wonderful�organization.��

Not�only�do�our�players�have�a�very�good�time,�but�they�

also�feel�great�for�having�supported�the�hospital.”�

– Sissy Wheeler,

Pro Am founder

The Idea—A Tradition is Born

Sissy Wheeler, Corky Cathcart, Lulu Runnells and a fellow volunteer at one of the first Children’s Memorial Hospital Pro Amateur Golf Championships.

– 3 –

It all started In 1960, when Polly Hutchins,

president of the Founders’ Board, asked her members to bring forward

new innovative ways to raise money for Children’s Memorial. Thankfully,

Sissy Wheeler was not shy and shared a unique idea that she had

learned about from a friend in the east—a golf tournament that pairs

amateur and professional players. Polly and the Founders’ Board

membership immediately embraced the idea. At that moment, the

Children’s Memorial Hospital Pro Amateur Golf Championship was born.

TOP LEFT Lulu Runnells, John Ames and Sally Searle.

TOP RIGHT Corky Cathcart, Harry and Sissy Wheeler and Lulu Runnells

at the 2007 event.

MIDDLE Cornelia Hasler, Sarah Armour, John Ames and Mary Kelly

at the 1966 event.

BOTTOM Irving Seaman, Jr. and Bruce Carson at the 2009 19th Hole Awards Party.

“�The�Pro�Am�is�a�wonderful�

tradition�of�giving.�Its��

longevity�and�success�is�a��

testament�to�the�generous��

spirit�of�our�community.”�

– Sarah Baine

– 2 –

– 4 – – 5 –

The first Pro Am was held on Monday,

July 31, 1961, at the Onwentsia Club in

Lake Forest, Illinois. Prominent members

of Chicago’s philanthropic and busi-

ness community filled the 150-person

amateur field, paying $500 to enjoy

a day of golf and networking on the

North Shore.

Gallery

Guests gather at the Onwentsia Club to enjoy the Pro Am festivities.

In planning the inaugural Pro Am, Sissy

Wheeler and her fellow Founders’ Board

members wisely enlisted the help

of their friend John Ames, a long-

time sup porter of the hospital and

past president of the U.S. Golf Asso-

ciation. John, and the first Founders’

Board Pro Am chairperson, June Seaman,

developed the format for what they

hoped would become an annual event.

Arnold Palmer (right) with his group of amateur players at the inaugural Pro Am in 1961.

Lee Trevino at the 1971 Pro Am

“�My�wife,�who�had�a�crush��

on�Arnold�Palmer,�wasn’t��

planning�to�come�out�and�

watch�me�play.�I�called�her��

and�said,�‘Well,�I’m�playing�

with�Palmer�today.’�So��

then�she�and�my�daughters�

rushed�to�the�course�and��

followed�me�the�last�five�holes.”�

– Peer Pedersen

Originally the tournament was held

on the Monday following the Western

Open, which allowed many PGA tour

professionals to extend their stay in the

Chicago area, play with the amateurs

and compete for the $10,000 Pro Am

purse, a relatively large sum at the time.

In its early years, the Pro Am attracted a

number of golf legends, including Arnold

Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriquez, Jack Nicklaus,

Homero Blancas, Gene Sarazen, Julius

Boros and Lee Trevino.

The Pro Am quickly became a high-

light of the Chicago social calendar

and attracted significant media inter-

est from sports and society reporters.

Hundreds of people gathered at the

Onwentsia Club to cheer on their

favorite amateur or professional player,

and to spend time with friends.

– 6 – – 7 –

Men’s Golf Committee—A Unique Collaboration

GeneratInG support for this new event and planning

the details of the golf outing required expertise that extended beyond the

Founders’ Board. June Seaman and the Founders’ Board could certainly

manage the administrative and organizational details of the day. How-

ever, recruiting golf professionals at the Western Open and planning the

actual tournament fell to John Ames and the Men’s Golf Committee—

a group of hardworking, golf-loving gentlemen that he recruited and led.

Leo Schoenhofen, professional Brian Allin, celebrity entertainer Bob Hope and Men’s Golf Committee founder John Ames at the 1972 Pro Am.

– 7 –

Corky Cathcart, Pam Armour, June Seaman, John Ames and Sally Swift at the first-ever Pro Am in July 1961.

By all accounts, the inaugural Pro Am

was a tremendous success and raised

$65,000 for the hospital’s Free Care

Fund, designated for families who could

not afford to pay for their children’s life-

saving treatments.

We now know the impact of that first

Pro Am was much greater than the

dollars raised for the hospital. The

Founders’ Board had created an event

that tapped the talent and time of gen-

erous individuals, united the Chicago

community and sparked a tradition of

giving that would span generations of

families and raise millions of dollars for

Children’s Memorial during the next half

century and beyond.

– 8 –

Onwentsia Club— The Ideal Setting

Beautiful Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest, Illinois, has hosted all but two of the first 50 Children’s Memorial Hospital Pro Amateur Golf Championships. Its management and

members have shown exceptional hospitality and generosity to the event since its inception.

– 9 –

FIndInG the perFect course and setting for the

first Pro Am proved to be no challenge for June Seaman and John Ames,

as the Onwentsia Club’s Board of Governors unanimously approved their

request to host the event. Hubby Habjan, Head Golf Professional of the

Onwentsia Club, embraced the Pro Am from the onset and worked closely

with John Ames and the national staff of the PGA to make the event a reality.

Endless stories of thrilling victories and agonizing defeats, on and off

the course, have cemented the connection between the Onwentsia Club

and the Pro Am.

In 1966, Abbe Gardner assumed leader-

s hip of the Men’s Golf Committee and

served as chairman for an unprecedented

24 years. Under his leadership, the Pro

Am welcomed legendary entertainer Bob

Hope. Knowing that Bob Hope would

attract a large crowd, Abbe recognized

the importance of pairing him with a pro-

fessional who could handle the pressure

of playing with such a celebrity. Because

of this, Abbe made the strategic decision

to bypass the standard draw and paired

Bob Hope with professional Brian Allin.

The counsel and leadership of the Men’s

Golf Committee has been consistently dis-

played throughout the Pro Am’s 50-year

history. Through the years, the role of the

men’s committee has grown and evolved to

now include additional revenue responsi-

bilities and supplementary benefit events

like poker night parties. The collaborative

relationship between the Founders’ Board

and the Men’s Golf Committee has long

been a cornerstone of the event and it

continues to thrive today.

“�It’s�been�a�pleasure�and�

a�privilege�to�be�involved�with�

the�Pro�Am.�I’ve�served�on��

the�Men’s�Golf�Committee�for�

more�than�to�20�years�and�it’s�

been�neat�to�have�my�fingers�on�

the�pulse�of�this�event�and�help�

shape�it�for�the�next�generation.”�

– David Gorter David Gorter

Men’s Golf Committee Chairmen

Joh nAmes • 1961—1965

AbbeGAr dn er • 1966—1990

dAvi dGrumhAus • 1991—1996

stevesteers • 1997—2000

dAvi dGorter • 2001—2005

Joh nCreGAn • 2006—2007

Joh nderse • 2008—2009

Joh nFerGuson • 2010

Pro Am co-chairs Marcy Brown (left) and Jennifer Grumhaus with past Men’s Golf Committee chairman John Cregan at the 2006 Pro Am.

– 10 – – 11 –

The rainy day in 1962 when play was suspended (and eventually cancelled)

due to rain, and amateur and professional players took shelter in the club’s bar.

Everyone was making the most of this wet situation. In fact, Arnold Palmer was

having such a great time chatting with his “namesake” Potter Palmer and enjoy-

ing the attention of the ladies that his manager could not convince him to depart

for an earlier flight to England where he would defend his British Open title.

The look of surprise and grateful tears shed by Sarah Armour, the chairman

of the 1971 Pro Am, when Lee Trevino donated his first place prize money back to the

hospital. Lee had won the British Open the day before and, demonstrating his com-

mitment to helping children in need, flew overnight to Chicago to play in the Pro Am.

His generosity and encouraging words stunned the Founders’ Board and the crowd.

Jean Smith, who ran the Pro Am four different times, but seemed to attract

the rain. Under her wet and watchful eyes, bad weather forced the event to be

cancelled in 1978 and afternoon play was rained out in 1983. When Jean wrote the

tournament participants in 1978 offering to refund their entry fees, every player

chose to contribute them to the hospital and in 1983 all but two contributed.

Tour professional Dick Mast’s fabulous day of golf at the 1987 Pro

Am, when he set the current course record of 63.

The lucky day in 1999, when amateur player Jeff Aeder scored a hole-in-one

on #11. Aeder, the guest and teammate of Don Shoemaker, husband of Founders’

Board president, Derry Shoemaker, made a significant donation to Children’s

Memorial in gratitude for the new Mercedes he had won for his perfect shot.

The partnership established with the

Onwentsia Club in 1960 has endured

decades of memorable events. Thousands

of amateur and professional players

have trod the fairways of Onwentsia

hoping to win the coveted June Seaman

Trophy, awarded to the team with

the lowest net best ball. Only twice

in the history of the Pro Am was the

tournament venue changed, due to a

scheduling conflict and course renova-

tion, and only three times has the rain

overpowered the Onwentsia grounds

crew, resulting in the cancellation of

the tournament.

Pro Am by the Numbers• 4—Holes-in-one

• 9,900—Rounds of golf played

• 63—Lowest score, set in 1987 by professional

Dick Mast

• 1992—First female amateur competes in the Pro Am

• $12 million—Dollars raised for Children’s Memorial

TOP Robert A. Gardner III, Peter Seaman, professional Bill Vantresca and Edward Swift

LEFT Tony Hoban, Ross Jannotta and a fellow golfer

BOTTOM LEFT Andy Andress

BOTTOM RIGHT Caddie Charlie Brown and professional Charlie Bolling at the 2007 Pro Am

Who Could Forget…

– 12 – – 13 –

Amateur Players– Generations of Support

The Pro Am is a cherished tradition for many Chicago area families. Three generations of the Grumhaus family have taken part. Young David Grumhaus, Jr. (center) poses with his

father David Grumhaus, Sr. (second from left) and his grandfather Harold Grumhaus (right) at one of the early tournaments, along with Wally Phillips (left) and a professional golfer.

– 13 –

WIth the onWentsIa club hosting the Pro Am, it was

only natural that the Lake Forest community would rally in support of the

event and Children’s Memorial. Many of the amateur players in the early

years of the tournament lived in Lake Forest and belonged to the Onwentsia

Club, but were still willing to pay the $500 entry fee to participate in

the Pro Am. It was not long before the Pro Am had a loyal set of amateur

participants who came from throughout the North Shore. In fact, when

the Founders’ Board celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Pro Am,

33 amateur players had participated in all ten events of the first decade.

The Silas S. Cathcart Award is given to the winning pair

of professionals at the Silas S. Cathcart

Children’s Memorial Club Professional

Invitation. Named in honor of

Silas Cathcart, this tournament and

award not only recognizes his love

of golf, but also his dedication to

improving healthcare in the Chicago

community. Silas was a Life Trustee

of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Children’s Memorial Hospital serves

as the pediatric teaching site of

Northwestern University Feinberg

School of Medicine. Silas’ wife,

Corlene “Corky” Cathcart, served

as chair of the 4th Annual Pro Am

in 1964.

The Pro Am’s signature trophy is named

in honor of June Seaman, chair of the inaugural Pro Am

in 1961. The trophy is awarded to the team with

the lowest net best ball score and the names of every

winning group in the Pro Am’s history have been

engraved on the permanent trophy, which is displayed

at the Onwentsia Club.

The Hubby Habjan Award, named in honor of Onwentsia

Club’s long-time head golf

professional, is given to the

professional with the lowest

score during the Pro Am. Hubby

Habjan provided professional

support and guidance to the Pro

Am from its inception in 1961

until his retirement in 1996.

Hubby Habjan, Lulu Runnells and a golf student

June and Irving Seaman, Jr.

Awards

– 14 – – 15 –

1974, and his sister, Mary Gorter Krey,

was one of the first women amateurs to

compete in the event. At the 2009 Pro

Am, even Audrey Gorter found her way to

the links and joined the family foursome,

playing for the first time alongside Jim,

David and Mary.

Through its 50-year history, the Pro Am

has benefited greatly from the unwaver-

ing commitment of so many families

and individuals, and a legacy of philan-

thropy has been built. Each year, founding

members still gather at the Onwentsia

Club in June to enjoy a beautiful day of

golf for Children’s Memorial Hospital,

but today they are joined by their

children and grandchildren. The tradition

of giving continues.

Arthur Hailand, Jr., a dedicated supporter of the Pro Am, created a legacy of philanthropy within his family. Shown here with his daughter Leslie Newman, former Founders’ Board president and Pro Am co-chair; grand daughter Whitney Brown, Founders’ Board member; Lee Brown,

Men’s Golf Committee member; and his great-grand children Hale and Henry Brown.

“�We’ve�been�happy�to�be�involved�

with�the�Pro�Am�since�the�

beginning.�It’s�a�great�hospital�

and�a�great�event.”

– Robert Meers

�

“�We�enjoy�the�Pro�Am�as�a�family�

outing.�If�we,�as�a�family,�can�

play�golf�well�one�day�a�year,�we�

like�it�to�be�on�that�day.”

– F. Quinn Stepan, Jr.

Over time, the Pro Am evolved from just

a day on the course to a meaningful

tradition for many local families. For

example, a member of the Stepan family

has participated in every Pro Am since

1961 and, cumulatively, members of

their family have golfed in 119 events.

The Meers family boasts 96 years of

total participation and participation

by the Grumhaus family spans three

generations.

The Pro Am is also a family affair for the

Gorter family. David Gorter, a member

of Men’s Golf Committee, recalls living

next door to the Onwentsia Club and

spending time at the course watching his

father, James P. Gorter, play and enjoying

the Pro Am festivities. As a junior golfer,

David served as a runner delivering score-

cards from the 18th green to the scorer’s

table. David played in his first Pro Am in

The Stepan family gathers at the 2007 Pro Am. James (right) and Audrey (second from left) Gorter, their children David (left) and daughter Mary, along with Professional

Kevin Murphy, tee off at the 2009 Pro Am.

Lorna Pfaelzer, former Founders’ Board president and Pro Am co-chair, with her son-in-law Dean Patenaude, member of the Men’s Golf

Committee, and her grandson Jay at the 2009 Pro Am.

“�It’s�wonderful�to�see�the�second�

and�third�generations�all�playing��

together.�That’s�what�it’s��

all�about.�To�sustain�an�event�

like�this�you�need�continuity,��

as�well�as�new�faces,�and��

sponsorships.�I�think�the�Founders’�

Board�should�be�congratulated�

on�the�wonderful�job�they’ve�

done�year�after�year.”�

– Irving Seaman, Jr.

Chicago’s Corporate Community—Partners in Philanthropy

Pete McDonald of United Airlines presents a sponsorship check to Pat Magoon, president & CEO of Children’s Memorial Hospital, at the 47th Annual Pro Am.

United has been a loyal Pro Am supporter since 1984.

– 17 –

In 1970, rIsInG patIent costs forced the leaders

of the Pro Am to re-think their original event model. Without question,

the golf tournament already had tremendous support from local families,

but could the Pro Am have the same appeal in the corporate community?

John Ames and Abbe Gardner set out to answer that question. Their first

call was to Leo Schoenhofen, president of Marcor, Inc. While Leo had no

official tie to Children’s Memorial, he had been a loyal supporter of the first

ten events. With little hesitation, he generously agreed to donate the $15,000

prize money, offered to help promote the event and sell gallery tickets at

– 16 –

20YeArs

John D. Ames

David Amory

Louis Meyer Brown

Edward F. Burns

Albert B. Dick, III

Richard R. Donnelley III

James P. Gorter

Alfred E. Hackbarth III

Arthur G. Hailand, Jr.

J. Ira Harris

Robert O. Lehman

Robert R. Lipsky

George J. McCarthy

Gordon S. Prussian

Alfred Stepan, Jr.

Craig Umans

Morrison Waud

Frederick F. Webster, Jr.

John A. Zenko

25YeArs

Michael Cudahy

Daniel Searle

Keene H. Addington

Robert C. Ferris

David F. Gorter

John P. Keller

Bruce M. Macfarlane

Robert Meers

Aiden I. Mullett

Robert E. Wood II

Charles Foster Brown

30YeArs

Donald B. Davidson

Donald C. Cottrell, Jr.

John D. Mabie

Henry W. Meers

Albert Meers

F. Quinn Stepan, Jr.

35YeArs

William T. Bacon, Jr.

David D. Grumhaus, Sr.

Peer Pedersen

Irving Seaman, Jr.

F. Quinn Stepan, Sr.

40YeArs

Ralph Bogan

James L. Garard

Player Anniversaries

We are privileged to recognize five of our most dedicated

families for their unending support of the Pro Am and for

their years of cumulative participation in the event.

th estepAnFAmi lY • 119 YEARS

th emeersFAmi lY • 96 YEARS

th ebrownFAmi lY • 67 YEARS

th eGorterFAmi lY • 67 YEARS

th eGrumhAusFAmi lY • 52 YEARS

– 18 – – 19 –

Today, more than 25 corporations,

including Stepan Company, Wintrust

Financial Corporation, Huron Consulting

Group, Navistar, Inc. and Illinois Tool

Works sponsor the event. Valuable

in-kind contributions from Terlato Wines

International, Fortune Brands, High Sierra

Sport Company and Lettuce Entertain

You enhance the experience for golfers

and offset real costs. The Pro Am has

truly united Chicago’s corporate and

philanthropic communities in support

of Children’s Memorial.

Pedersen & Houpt has served as a corporate sponsor of the Pro Am for 27 years.

all Montgomery Ward stores. Marcor

remained a sponsor of the Pro Am until

1976, when Northern Trust and Lord &

Taylor decided to provide cash gifts to

underwrite the tournament.

In 1984, Arthur Hailand, Jr., a long-time

Men’s Golf Committee and Children’s

Memorial board member, set out to

recruit United Airlines as the official Pro

Am sponsor. He, along with close friend

John Louis, entertained six United execu-

tives at the famed Augusta National

Golf Club. During their trip, Art casually

mentioned the Pro Am to the United

representatives and upon their return

to Chicago, he, June Seaman and Sissy

Wheeler formally approached United

Airlines with their request. When Sissy

received a follow-up call from United,

she was delighted to learn they would

support the event, although with one

caveat—they formally committed to

sponsoring the Pro Am for the next

three years!

Northern Trust and United Airlines have

remained loyal and generous corporate

donors to the Pro Am since their initial

investment, and many of Chicago’s top

corporations have followed their lead.

Since 2000, High Sierra Sport Company has generously provided the player gift bags that are distributed to our field

of 200 amateur golfers.

Corporate Facts• Longest-supporting corporate

sponsors: United Airlines and

Pedersen & Houpt

• Largest single corporate

contribution: $175,000 from

Huron Consulting Group (2009)

• Corporate Hole Sponsors

introduced: 1982

– 18 –

The Leo H. Schoenhofen Trophy is awarded

to the amateur golfer winning the most skins during

the tournament. This award, named in memory

of Leo Schoenhofen in 1985 by his wife Emily, was

created to honor Marcor, Inc. as the Pro Am’s first

corporate donor. Today, corporate sponsors account

for more than 65% of the Pro Am’s revenue.

Long-TimeCorporate Sponsors The following corporations and foundations have served

as a sponsor of the Pro Am in at least 10 events.

u n itedAi rli n es • 27 EVENTS

pedersen&hou pt • 27 EVENTS

th enorth erntrustCompAnY • 23 EVENTS

molex i nCorporAted • 17 EVENTs

AonCorporAtion • 16 EVENTS

morGAnstAn leY • 12 EVENTS

AbbottlAborAtori es • 11 EVENTS

wAstemAnAGement • 11 EVENTS

wi ntrustFi nAnCiAlCorporAtion • 11 EVENTS

ZAdekFAmi lYFou n dAtion • 11 EVENTS

th edeerpAthGrou p • 10 EVENTS

i ll i noistoolworks • 10 EVENTS

merithomes • 10 EVENTS

reYesholdi nGs, llC • 10 EVENTS

th emacArth u rFou n dAtion • 10 EVENTS

– 21 –

If you were a “regular” at the Pro Am in

the early years, you would look forward

to seeing June Seaman, Sissy Wheeler

and Lulu Runnells warmly greeting golf-

ers at the North entrance to the Club.

You would recognize Loo Lincoln, Bruce

MacFarlane, Frank Priebe, Duck Spaulding

and Bots Young, the infamous team of

Marshalls. You would remember the

“Darling Donnelleys, “Gorgeous Golfing

Gardners,” and “Adorable Addingtons,”

who launched the 1965 tournament

with an unconventional round of min-

iature golf on Nina Wilson’s front lawn.

And, you would look for John Runnells,

who volunteered at every Pro Am from

1961 until 2008.

Volunteers and community members gather to enjoy the festivities.

Founders’ Board— The Heart of the Pro Am

The Founders’ Board is a distinguished group of 155 volunteers who have played an integral role in the growth of Children’s Memorial Hospital, through active

participation in fundraising, governance, volunteerism, education and advocacy. The Pro Am is the board’s signature fundraising event, which now raises more

than a million dollars for the hospital each year.

– 20 –

the pro am has alWays been about more than

just golf and dollars raised; it is about community. For the past 50 years,

the members of the Founders’ Board, the Men’s Golf Committee and

others close to Children’s Memorial have dedicated countless hours

to plan and execute every detail of the event. It is their extraordinary

hospitality and devotion that makes the Pro Am so unique and inspires

golfers, sponsors and guests to return year after year, taking part to

help the children and families served by the hospital.

Long-time Pro Am volunteers Lulu Runnells and Sissy Wheeler

As the event has evolved through the

years, the dedication of the broader

community and the Founders’ Board

members remains unchanged. Today, a

committee of nearly 30 Founders’ Board

members takes an active role in plan-

ning the Pro Am. Every person who has

been involved in the Pro Am, either as

a co-chair, a committee member or as

a volunteer, feels a great sense of pride

and privilege knowing their work has

impacted the lives of so many children.

– 22 – – 23 –

Corky Cathcart

Sarah Armour, Jane Hardy and Connie Ames

Lauren Gorter and Tricia Wood

Sarah Baine and Beth Wessel

“�The�Pro�Am�stays�dear��

to�your�heart.�I�think�all��

of�us�who�have�run�it��

or�have�been�involved�find��

it�hard�to�move�away.��

It�is�something�we�feel�strongly�

about�and�want�to�do�all��

we�can�to�carry�on�this��

tradition�and�keep�it�alive.”�

– Lauren Gorter

Carolyn Tocks, Jill Brennan and Lyn Andress

“�We�had�a�lot�of�fun.�It�was�

everybody�working�together�and�

if�anybody�had�a�good�idea,��

we�thought,�well,�we’ll�try�it!”�

– Corky Cathcart

Robin Zafirovski, Susan DePree and Molly South

“�Being�involved�with�Children’s�

is�one�of�the�most�gratifying�

things�in�the�whole�world.�

The�Founders’�Board�has�always�

been�known�as�the�heart��

and�soul�of�the�hospital.”�

– Susan DePree

– 24 –

Pro Am Impact—Transforming Lives

Art therapy is one of the many offerings of the Department of Family Services at Children’s Memorial, which receives vital funding support from the Pro Am.

– 25 –

thanks to the vIsIon, dedication and generosity of

many supporters, the Pro Am is the most successful annual fundraising

event in the hospital’s history. Cumulative proceeds from the event

total more than $12 million, which has enabled Children’s Memorial

to enhance patient care and to recruit renowned leaders in pediatric

medicine and science.

1961 • Mrs. Irving Seaman, Jr.

1962 • Mrs. Robert Taft, Jr.

1963 • Mrs. William L. Searle

1964 • Mrs. Silas S. Cathcart

1965 • Mrs. John S. Runnells

1966 • Mrs. A. Watson Armour III

1967 • Mrs. Wydham Hasler

1967 • Mrs. Frank J. Kelley III

1968 • Mrs. W. Newton Burdick, Jr.

1969 • Mrs. Chauncey Keep Hutchins

1970 • Mrs. Chauncey Keep Hutchins

1971 • Mrs. A. Watson Armour III

1972 • Mrs. Louis A. Smith

1973 • Mrs. Albert D. Williams, Jr.


1975 • Mrs. Ellard Pfaelzer, Jr.

1976 • Mrs. Ellard Pfaelzer, Jr.

1977 • Mrs. O. Macrae Patterson



1980 • Mrs. Donald B. Davidson

1981 • Mrs. Tyler R. Cain

1982 • Mrs. William A. Crane



1985 • Mrs. Thomas J. Moorhead

1986 • Mrs. William A. Crane

1987 • Mrs. Tyler R. Cain



1990 • Mrs. Susan T. Skinner

1991 • Mrs. C.H. Randolph Lyon

1992 • Mrs. Leslie H. Newman

1993 • Mrs. Robert T. DePree

1994 • Mrs. Richard O. Wood

1995 • Mrs. Jack W. Blumenstein

1996 • Mrs. Jack W. Blumenstein

1997 • Mrs. Charles F. Manker

1998 • Mrs. Douglas Hacker

1999 • Mrs. Jeffrey H. Wessel

2000 • Mrs. J. Christopher Reyes

2001 • Mrs. James Andress

2001 • Mrs. John Tocks

2002 • Mrs. David Gorter

2002 • Mrs. J. Gregory South

2003 • Mrs. Douglas Hacker

2003 • Mrs. John Stevenson

2004 • Mrs. J. Stephen Baine

2004 • Mrs. Mike S. Zafirovski

2005 • Mrs. Mark T. Ahern

2005 • Mrs. Richard O. Wood

2006 • Mrs. Manny A. Brown

2006 • Mrs. David Grumhaus, Jr.



2008 • Mrs. T. Sands Thompson

2008 • Mrs. Catherine Miller Dixon

2009 • Mrs. J. Gregory South

2009 • Mrs. Mike S. Zafirovski



Pro Am Co-ChairsThank you to those members of the Founders’ Board who have dedicated countless hours

of their time and talent to serve as a Chairperson of the Children’s Memorial Hospital

Pro Amateur Golf Championship.

– 26 – – 27 –

Epilepsy Care

Through an $8.5 million funding com-

mitment from the Founders’ Board, The

Children’s Memorial Epilepsy Center was

created, along with two endowed chairs

that serve to advance clinical initia-

tives and research. These chairs are held

by Leon G. Epstein, MD, The Derry A.

and Donald L. Shoemaker Professor

of Pediatric Neurology and Douglas R.

Nordli, Jr., MD, The Lorna S. and James P.

Langdon Chair of Pediatric Epilepsy. The

Founders’ Board’s support made it pos-

sible for Children’s Memorial to become

a leading center for medical innovation

and research in pediatric neurology.

Children like Sebastian have access to one of the finest pediatric cancer centers in the nation at Children’s Memorial.

Ensuring the most advanced and compassionate care for our tiniest and most fragile newborns.

Family Services

The Founders’ Board established the

Human Services Endowment for the

Department of Family Services to help

provide the extra assistance, care, ease

and enrichment that make the hospital

such a special place. As part of Heroes

for Life: Campaign for Ann & Robert H.

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago,

the Founders’ Board has committed

to raising $10 million for the hospital’s

Department of Family Services, which

aims to address the emotional, social

and developmental needs of patients

and their families.

Neonatal Care

Through a $6.5 million Founders’ Board

funding commitment, the hospital’s

Division of Neonatology, under the

leadership of Robin Steinhorn, MD,

the Raymond and Hazel Speck Berry

Professor of Neonatology, has become

one of the nation’s top centers for

the care of critically ill newborns.

Marissa (with Dr. Doug Nordli) receives outstanding care at Chil-dren’s Memorial Epilepsy Center, thanks to philanthropic support.

“�Because�of�our�partnership�

with�the�Founders’�Board�and��

events�like�the�Pro�Am,�we’ve�

been�able�to�build�one�of��

the�best�neonatology�programs,�

not�only�in�the�region,�but��

in�the�country.”�

– Robin Steinhorn, MD

Head, Division of Neonatology

Children’s Memorial Hospital

Proceeds from the Pro Am have funded these programs:

Cancer Care

The Founders’ Board established the

A. Watson and Sarah Armour Chair of

Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases to

improve care and treatment for children

with sickle cell disease, thalassemia

and other serious blood disorders. It also

established fellowships in hematology/

oncology to support outstanding young

physician-scientists whose work is

expected to have a great impact on

the health of children with cancer and

blood diseases.

– 29 –

Children are our most precious resource. Children embody the future, and by investing in their health and well-being, we impact the quality of their future

in the most positive and direct way.

In 1960, when the event founders dreamed the Pro Am, no one imagined

that their vision and the work of so many would bring us to this moment—

poised to continue this proud tradition of giving for the next 50 years and

beyond in Lurie Children’s.

thank you For your contInued support.

toGether We can dIscover neW treat-

ments, neW cures and neW hope For

chIcaGo’s chIldren and FamIlIes.

– 29 –

Looking to the Future— The Tradition Continues

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago will be the catalyst for transforming pediatric medicine and science and improving countless lives for generations to come.

– 28 –

the orIGInal Format oF the pro am was so

well-conceived that it remains largely unchanged today. However, what has

changed during the past fifty years is pediatric healthcare, which requires

more even philanthropic support to harness medical breakthroughs.

To ensure that every child receives the best healthcare available, Children's

Memorial is building a new hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospi-

tal of Chicago, opening in 2012. Located on the downtown Chicago campus

of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, this new state-of-

the-art facility will offer the latest innovations in medical technology, research

and family-centered design.

– 30 –

“�There�is�no�keener�revelation�of�a�society’s�soul�than�the�way��

in�which�it�treats�its�children.”�

– Nelson Mandela

– 30 –

“�The�city�of�Chicago�can�provide�the�best�healthcare��

anywhere,�and�Children’s�Memorial�is�one�of�the�key�reasons�

why.�With�this�new�hospital,�we�will�be�at�the�forefront��

of�care,�and�all�of�our�children�will�benefit.”�

– Richard M. Daley

Mayor of Chicago

sissy wheeler,foundation.luriechildrens.org/_wrappers/proam/2014/docs/historical... · the idea—...

Documents