Friday, March 29, 2024
 
Click HERE to sign up to receive Eye On Sun Valley's Daily News Email
 
Swing Fore Recovery Swings Through Hail, Wind and Graupel
Loading
   
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
 

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

They endured rain, gusts of wind that knocked “perfect” balls off course, bright sunshine, unseasonably cool temperatures and hail that temporarily left the greens as white as their golf balls.

But they a stiff upper lip, just like the hardy Scotsmen who invited the game of golf. And, in the end, some of those in NAMI’s Swing Fore Recovery golf tournament were even rewarded with a rainbow arching over Elkhorn Golf Course.

Of course, there was also the satisfaction of knowing they were golfing for a cause, as well—that of ensuring friends and relatives had the tools for mental health.

“I have to go home and take a hot shower,” said Carrie Morrow, who looked every bit the part of a Scottish golfer with her tam and wool poncho. “But what a fun day! It was sunshine, driving rain and hail—enough that we had to sit in the cart for a few minutes. We even saw lightning—and a bunny.

“But I wouldn’t have missed it. I think NAMI is one of the best organizations in the valley. We need to treat mental illness like physical illness. We need to be aware of it and talk about it and help people when they’re having some struggles. And NAMI helps with that.”

David Lipman, who just returned from a golfing outing marking his 50th birthday in Scotland echoed her words.

“This weather wasn’t as bad as that in Scotland. We had one day that was unplayable due to the rain. It was fun there, though. The links there you need to keep the ball low, and scoot along and let it roll.”

NAMI’s fourth annual Swing Fore Recovery sold out with a waiting list for the first time this year.

“You can feel really good about participating,” NAMI’s Board President Daniel Hansen told golfers as they assembled at the Elkhorn clubhouse following Friday’s tourney. “Participating shows your support for talking about mental health and mental health issues. And it helps make the programs we offer free and accessible for those who need our programs.”

There were only five support groups when the Swing Fore Recovery started four years ago, added NAMI-WRV’s Executive Director Christina Cernansky. Now there are 21 monthly support groups, including the Bluebirds afterschool programs for high school and middle school students.

Amber Leyba-Castle, who started the groundbreaking Bluebirds while a sophomore at Wood River High School, is now a freshman majoring in psychology at Idaho State University. And she was just nominated to the inaugural NAMI National Youth Council, which will convene in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 28.

In addition, she is joining Cernansky on the NAMI Idaho board.

Cernansky, meanwhile, has been appointed co-chair of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Action Collective, the state task force on suicide prevention.

The Collective, a public-private partnership involving such groups as St. Luke’s, is trying to improve data collection, communication between various suicide prevention groups in the state and offer more suicide prevention training throughout the state, said Cernansky.

“Without your support I wouldn’t have been able to continue this work,” Cernansky told the golfers.

The Swing Fore Recovery golf tournament is held during National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month. Many of the holes displayed placards remembering those who have been lost to suicide.

“I can’t believe how much Christina and I have been able to accomplish this past four years since the first golf tournament,” said Leyba-Castle, whose Bluebirds was the first organization of its kind in the nation and since has served as a model for others.

“From recovery to advocacy, helping others after getting through crisis—that is the NAMI peer support model. And now we can share what we’ve been doing in the wood River Valley with other communities. We are living examples of how recovery IS possible.”

THE WINNERS:

First—Doyle Rundell, Conor Quinn, Maunsel Hickey, Josh Ehleringer

Second—Mitch Hoffman, Dakota Hoffman, Dakota Dryer, Jason Bell

Third—Tim Graves, Marc Reinemann, Paul Willis, Drew Carlson

Closest to Pin 3—Doyle Rundell

Closet to Pin 11—Lori Ransohoff

Longest Drive on 8—Happy Hawn

Longest Drive on 18—Josh Ehleringer

~  Today's Topics ~


Local Bands Offer New Perspective on Who's a Local

Can You Ski on Water? It’s Pond Skim Time

Jake Adicoff Wins Overall World Cup Championship while Other Skiers Do Well in SuperTour Finals
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Website problems? Contact:
Michael Hobbs
General Manager /Webmaster
Mike@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
Got a story? Contact:
Karen Bossick
Editor in Chief
(208) 578-2111
Karen@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
 
Advertising /Marketing /Public Relations
Leisa Hollister
Chief Marketing Officer
(208) 450-9993
leisahollister@gmail.com
 
Brandi Huizar
Account Executive
(208) 329-2050
brandi@eyeonsunvalley.com
 
 
ABOUT US
EyeOnSunValley.com is the largest online daily news media service in The Wood River Valley, publishing 7 days a week. Our website publication features current news articles, feature stories, local sports articles and video content articles. The Eye On Sun Valley Show is a weekly primetime television show focusing on highlighted news stories of the week airing Monday-Sunday, COX Channel 13. See our interactive Kiosks around town throughout the Wood River Valley!
 
info@eyeonsunvalley.com      Press Releases only
 
P: 208.720.8212
P.O. Box 1453 Ketchum, ID  83340
LOGIN

© Copyright 2023 Eye on Sun Valley