Last year Heath Ekstrom, shown at left lining up a shot on the fairway at Superior National golf course, played 135 holes of golf in one day as he raised money for Folds of Honor. This year Heath is going to play with his brother Drew, also a fellow PGA member, as they try to raise more than $5,000 during the all-day golf outing. Photos courtesy of Heath Ekstrom
On Sunday, September 9, Heath Ekstrom will once again attempt a very demanding physical challenge by trying to golf over 100 holes on the beautiful Superior National golf course for the Folds of Honor and Patriot Golf Day.
But this time around Heath will have some friendly competition.
“This year I and my brother and fellow PGA member, Drew Ekstrom, will join me in the challenge. We both are going to golf together and are challenging each other in the golf and in raising funds for the Folds of Honor,” said Heath.
Ekstrom, who is the business manager/ head golf professional at Superior National, played 135 holes on Patriot’s Golf Day last year, breaking his mark of 122 set in 2016.
Q-“Will Drew speed you up or slow you down?” Ekstrom was asked.
A- I think we should be able to keep the same pace as I’ve had in the past. The last two years I have averaged about a 45-minute 9-hole pace. That pace will have us getting in at least 100 holes in 9 hours. Drew and I will start at about 6:30 a.m. Should give us enough time to reach our goal of 120 holes that day. We will hit shots as quick as possible, sometimes at the same time if we’re not in danger of each other. Drew and I don’t mind noise or golfers moving around so we will hit and go.
Q-Are you pretty evenly matched in ability?
A-We’re pretty close in scoring average. He does have the “older brother” advantage where I want to beat him at golf or any other competition and usually betters me because I’m trying too hard to beat my big brother…but he doesn’t win all the time, and those are the best!
Q- What is your favorite club? How about your brother?
A-I’d say for me it’s my putter. I putt pretty well, and when I’m on, I can shoot decent scores. I think for Drew it’s probably his wedge. He can pitch and chip really well. So when his putter is hot, he can shot low scores too.
Q- How much money do you hope to raise?
A-Our goal is over $5,000 total. Last year I raised over $5,000 (donations came in after I was done too) and in the two years a little over $10,000 for the foundation. I have us at $5,000, but I think we can do better since it’s now a joint effort.
Q- Will you have other family members help again this year? Who will they be? Will they rake sand traps and find wayward golf balls hit no doubt by Drew?
A- Ha-ha! Yes, Drew better keep his shots in play or it becomes expensive losing golf balls and the bets we’ll have going on. We’re hoping we’ll have help with family and friends. Drew has college-age kids that might try and be here. I’ll have my wife, Leah helping again. She did great last year in keeping our pace at the 45-minute average. She was a little bit of a drill sergeant where if I got into conversations with people, she’d say “Wrap it up, you gotta get on the tee and go!”
Q- If the weather is excellent, do you see any way that you can golf more than 135 holes? That was 45 minutes per nine holes. That’s awfully fast, even with a speedy golf cart.
A-It’s definitely possible. Last year I had some daylight left and could have maybe done another 9 or more. But my back and shoulders were starting to feel it even though I was constantly stretching between nines. If Drew and I are feeling great and we can keep golfing, we will try to get to 135. The more holes we play, the more money we can raise from those that pledge an amount on how many holes we play. I have pledges that are 50-cents-per-hole, $1-ahole and even $2-a-hole so the more, the better. I have us at 120 only because Drew is with me and we’re not sure if we can keep the 45-minute pace since there’s now two golfing instead of just me. But again, with the brotherly competition, we always want to beat each other and any goal that’s out there.
Folds of Honor Foundation is an organization that provides scholarships for spouses and children of military members who have been disabled or killed while serving the country.
Last year Heath collected more than $4,300 for the foundation, and he hopes to top that figure this year.
Donations can be dropped off at Superior National or online at www.foldsofhonor.org/patriotgolfday/
“Then search my name, Heath Ekstrom or Superior National at Lutsen.”
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