Hi, friends. This is Ian Oland. And I’m coming here live from The Crofton Country Club where the Laughlin Family Foundation is hosting their fourth annual Golf “Fore!” Rare Cancers Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Neil and Emily Kishter.
This year’s event is a star-studded affair featuring appearances from these sports celebs.
Craig Laughlin, Joe Beninati, Alan May, Brent Johnson, Karl Alzner, Ken Sabourin, Peter Bondra, Olie Kolzig, Charlie Lindgren, Alexa Landestoy, Rod Langway, Devante Smith-Pelly, Brett Leonhardt, TJ Oshie, Braden Holtby, Brett Cecil (former Major League Baseball player), Spencer Carbery, Mitch Love, Kirk Muller, Scott Allen, Scott Murray, Emily Engel-Natzke, Chris Miller (play by play for Washington Wizards), and Dave Brown (former Philadelphia Flyer).
Related: Here is Spencer Carbery driving assistant coach Scott Allen around in a golf cart.
I have been to all four of the foundation’s golf tournaments to show my support to the Laughlins (especially Linda), tell stories to golfers, and give Alan May the satisfaction of making fun of me. (We need him confident for the new season.)
This year, instead of driving around recklessly in a golf cart trying to get absurd social media content of celebrities golfing, I instead am trying to do my part to raise money for rare cancer research by telling you about the Laughlin Family Foundation’s auction that this year that is open to the public on Handbid.
Some of the noteworthy items include signed, game-used skates from TJ Oshie; signed jerseys from the Miracle on Ice team, Alex Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Mike Green; Tom Wilson signed gloves, a vintage White House humidor with custom Caps insert and cigars; and a signed Devante Smith-Pelly bobblehead. You can view all the silent auction items here. Items that are denoted as live are only available at the live auction aspect of the golf tournament.
Capitals PA announcer Wes Johnson, who is also an accomplished illustrator, donated coffee cups that he drew on that have been signed by guests. They are incredible.
The coolest new add this year are lavender-colored Laughlin Family Foundation jerseys that were made for all the sports celebrities at the event including Braden Holtby, Devante Smith-Pelly, Bruce Boudreau, and Spencer Carbery. The custom and exclusive jerseys will be autographed by the guests and were worn at the event.
Craig and Courtney Laughlin came up with the idea earlier in the year to make the tournament new and different and highlight the celebrities. Each jersey has the foundation’s logo on the front and the number 24 on the back to commemorate the year of the golf tournament. Each celeb’s last name is on the back.
“The jersey is something people can wear and promote the foundation too, which is huge,” Courtney said. “We’re always asking ourselves each year how do we top it and do a new and creative things.”
The idea was inspired by the Capitals’ own jersey off their back giveaway at the end of every season. Prince Frederick Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram sponsored the sweaters on the back. The jerseys were designed and printed by Engine.
“Why are you here?” Craig Laughlin added joking… I think.
Check back later for more photos and updates.
