PORTSMOUTH — Kevin Sullivan is a father, a businessman, a multi-sport high school varsity official and many other things.
But aside from his father, his favorite title is “cancer survivor.”
more: Luck of the Ireland Golf Tournament at Pease hits $100,000 milestone in the fight against cancer
Five months after being declared cancer-free in April 2022, Sullivan launched the first Luck-O-The-Irish Jimmy Fund Classic at Pease Golf Course.
Former York City Police Officer Scott Kogar (left) and Hampton’s Kevin Sullivan are scheduled to run the 5th Annual Luck-O-The-Irish Jimmy Fund Classic at Pease Golf Course on Monday, July 20th. The sold-out tournament continues to seek hall sponsors, as well as silent auction and raffle items.
Later this month, on Monday, July 20, the course’s biggest golfers will arrive at Pease Golf Course for the tournament’s fifth annual event.
“This is a great way to give back to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber (Cancer Institute), which have played a huge role in getting me to where I am and continue to help children fight cancer,” said Sullivan, a Hampton resident and businesswoman who was diagnosed with sinus and nasal cavity cancer in the fall of 2021. “I’m happy to be alive every day and to be on this side of the lawn.”
Sullivan raised about $17,000 in the tournament’s first year and more than $100,000 in its first four years. He hopes to raise $40,000 this year.
Pierre Bouchard carefully lines up his putts during last year’s Luck O’ the Irish Jimmy Fund Classic at Pease Golf Course.
“It’s a lofty goal, but last year we exceeded the goal ($30,000), so it’s possible,” Sullivan said.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will be donated to the Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund general account to support the fight against childhood cancer.
“During the seven or eight weeks I was at Dana-Farber, I met a lot of kids every day,” Sullivan said. “When you’re there, you see a lot. You see people who really need help.”
Reuniting with friends and creating new friendships
Julia Bouchard chases her shot at the Luck-O-The-Irish Jimmy Fund Classic held at Pease Golf Course last July.
Sullivan, who undergoes cancer screening every six months, met many people through the tournament, including fellow cancer survivors. It’s a day he looks forward to every summer.
“(The tournament) is a great day for me,” Sullivan said. “I see a lot of old friends and a lot of close friends who helped me through the fight.”
One of those friends is former York police officer Scott Koger, who was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma (a rare cancer of the thymus gland) in early 2022.
Koger, who was declared cancer-free in July 2022, competed in the tournament’s first three years and helped expand it last year.
“The more money we can raise for Dana-Farber, the better,” Koger said. “Kevin and I are just trying to give back to Dana-Farber. They saved us, and now we can help save others. Hopefully, with all the money raised through the national golf tournament, Dana-Farber can go even further.”
Kelly Witten, who works with Sullivan as a high school basketball referee in New Hampshire, said the state’s response was “pretty harsh” and that many people had attended the tournament over the years to support their tournament.
“And of course, Kevin’s story and why he started this tournament is so great,” said Witten, whose team won last year’s four-man scramble. “Good people like Kevin survive because it feels good to give back and raise money.”
Chris Snow, president of Eastern States Packaging Co. in Hampton, is a longtime friend of Sullivan. His team tied for third place in last year’s tournament. Eastern States Packaging is the hall sponsor again this year, and Snow’s quartet will be competing.
“Having performed at many of these charity events over the years, Kevin and his team do everything right from start to finish,” Snow said.
how to help
In January, the number of participating golfers reached a maximum of 124, with most of last year’s team returning. However, the tournament is still accepting hole sponsorships ($250), silent auction items, and raffle prizes.
“Companies that sponsor the Hall will be supporting a great cause,” Sullivan said. “Their logo will be displayed on the tee box and will be seen by 128 golfers over the course of four hours.”
Kogar said the competition has already received donations from many Seacoast businesses, including gift cards that will be used as raffle prizes. He said he would rather receive multiple $25 gift cards than one $100 gift card.
“Multiple gift cards make more people happy,” Koger said. “This is expected to result in more people coming into stores and spending more money, which will benefit businesses.”
For more information on how to sponsor a hole or provide silent auction or raffle items, visit the 5th Annual Luck-O-The-Irish Jimmy Fund Classic or contact Cogger at (207) 752-0643.
This article was originally published in the Portsmouth Herald. Coastal Cancer Survivors Bring Jimmy Fund Classic to Pease Golf Course
