Golf tourney, silent auction set for June 18

Published 10:41 am Thursday, June 9, 2016

After raising more than $15,000 in the past three years, a special fundraiser in memory of an Adams native will return this month to help further support world-class cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota in Austin.

On June 18, the 4th annual Ryan Gordon Memorial Golf Tournament & Silent Auction will be hosted at the Cedar River Golf Course in Adams, about 20 miles southeast of Austin along Minnesota Highway 56. It consists of a four-person, best-shot golf tournament, with a shotgun start at noon. Pre-registration is preferred but later signups are welcome.

The tournament memorializes Ryan Gordon, an Adams native who passed away in 2011 at age 42 from stomach cancer and is survived by his wife, Shannon, and two sons, Jake and Brecken.

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His parents Roger and Shirley Gordon, of Adams, created the memorial tournament in 2013 because Gordon had a passion for golf.

“There is no better way to remember and honor Ryan than to join together with family and friends to play the game he loved all while supporting a cause that he was passionate about even before his own personal battle with cancer,” Shirley Gordon said. “Seeing and hearing about the amazing work being done at The Hormel Institute gives us hope that one day no other family will have to lose a loved one to this dreaded disease.”

The event will also feature a silent auction with numerous prized donated by individuals and businesses, including a 1-night stay at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel; wine tasting tours at local wineries; tickets to Deer Creek Speedway; and gift certificates to area restaurants.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota to support its cutting-edge cancer research. As with any gift to The Hormel Institute, 100 percent of the donation directly funds cancer research into better ways to prevent, detect and treat this devastating disease.

Cost is $50 per golfer at the tourney, which includes a hamburger meal afterward; non-golfers can pay $10 for the meal only. Cart rental will be available at the golfer’s expense; early registration is recommended to ensure car availability. Reservations can be made at the Cedar River Golf Course’s pro shop or by calling 507-582-3595.