Superior National PGA Golf Pro Heath Ekstrom watches his ball head for the hole on Patriot Golf Day. Ekstrom raised over $4,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Started in 2007, Patriot’s Golf Day (Sept. 1-4) has raised over $22 million for scholarships. This year Jack Nicklaus served as the honorary chairman, his third time to fill that position.
Heath Ekstrom, business manager/ head golf professional at Superior National in Lutsen, played 135 holes of golf in one day, breaking his mark of 122 set last year.
“The day I played the 100-challenge was awesome,” Ekstrom said. “The weather was beautiful. I started at 6:15 a.m. and finished at 7:45 p.m. I had some daylight left but was starting to feel it in my back and decided to call it quits.”
Now Ekstrom loves the game of golf, but nobody plays 15 rounds in one day just for fun. Just like last year, Ekstrom played to raise money for Folds of Honor Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships for spouses and children of military members who have been disabled or killed while serving the country.
Once again Heath dedicated his play to honor George Nelson Jr. George was a World War II veteran and a 10th Mountain Division specialist who donated the land for the golf course to Cook County.
As for the long day of golf, Heath didn’t do it alone.
“I had some great helpers throughout the day. My niece Kailey started the day with me. My 10-year-old son Silas rode with me for nine holes and then my wife Leah joined for most of the afternoon. They all helped rake sand bunkers when needed and looked for wayward golf shots, which I had a few. But mostly they were my family support team and pace crew,” said Ekstrom.
How fast did he play?
“For the 135 golf holes I shot a score of 560 and averaged about 45 minutes per nine holes, that’s with a golf cart of course. As of today, I have collected $4,300 with pledges, drop-off donations, and online donations. People can still donate at www.foldsofhonor.org/patriotgolfday/
“Then search my name, Heath Ekstrom or Superior National at Lutsen.
“Thanks to all those that pledged and donated. The funds raised for these families means so much to them.
“I can’t wait until next year to do it again!”
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