16th annual Shoeless Joe’s Celebrity Golf Classic raises more than $100,000 for local healthcare

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Regional Foundation was the host of its 16th annual Shoeless Joe’s Celebrity Golf Classic, officially sponsored by Raymond James Financial, on June 11.  This year’s event raised more than $100,000 to support cancer care services and resources in northeast Missouri, with 100 percent of all funds raised going directly to the cause.

The golf classic has raised nearly $1.2 million in support of local healthcare.

Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has partnered with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame to bring celebrities from various sports and regions across Missouri to Hannibal to play golf with foundation donors and businesses. Current and past celebrities have included former NFL players Art Still, Tony Reed, Mel Grey, and Eddie Moss; MLB players Tom Henke, Brian McRae and Josh Kinney; and many other professional and college athletes. 

In a press release, Wendy Harrington, president and CEO of the foundation, said, “It is humbling to see the continued support and success of our golf classic.  We are so blessed with generous and supportive donors and businesses, a continued strong relationship with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and an amazing group of volunteers and team members that help make this tournament a success every year. On behalf of the foundation, I want to sincerely thank everyone that makes this event so successful.  Support of the event this year is directly supporting cancer patients throughout the region, and everyone involved should be very proud of the work we are doing to expand and enhance cancer services in our region.”

Projects and services which have been made possible through funds raised by this event include the expansion of cardiology services in Hannibal to include open heart surgery; the creation and then later expansion of the Healthy Way Fitness Trail on the medical campus; the Inpatient Rehab unit at Hannibal Regional Hospital; renovation and expansion of the Women’s Care Unit in the hospital; and the renovation of the cardiac rehab unit.

Hannibal Regional president and CEO Todd Ahrens said, “Our foundation is truly a partner that works to maximize our ability to meet the continually changing healthcare needs of our community. Every dollar they raise stays local, which means better health right here at home.”

For more information about Hannibal Regional Foundation, including Shoeless Joe’s Celebrity Golf Classic results, go to hannibalregional.org or call 573-629-3577.