Dear Friends,
We can share many facts and figures as we welcome you to the 18th Annual American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health. But we thought the best thing we could share are these words from Kansas State’s Mike Clark
When Mike became a driving force behind this event 18 years ago, little did he know he would one day be a cancer survivor. Please read these powerful words. Thank you for being here.
Lon Kruger Founder & Chair, CvC Las Vegas Golf Classic
When people ask me what I learned from my almost 7-year life after I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I always tell them, “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
At a scheduled colonoscopy that I could have blown off, I found out I had a cancerous tumor on my colon. I had no symptoms, no warning signs. Had I missed the procedure, well, I wouldn’t have known what I needed to know. For the first time in my life, I thought about my expiration date. The next six weeks of my life was a waiting game. Until the surgery and test on the colon and lymph nodes, I worried, prayed, and tried to stay positive.
I was so lucky that we caught it early. The cancer hadn’t advanced out of the tumor. Just a resection would take care of it. No chemo, no radiation. I have appointments every 6 months to test that I am still cancer-free!!
Personally, cancer has made an impact on me every day. Cancer is mentioned in my morning prayers - for those who are fighting it, and for those friends and loved ones who we have lost their battle with cancer. We have started a Coaches vs. Cancer golf outing. After a successful first year, we are looking forward to doubling the number of golfers and money raised for the local American Cancer Society here in Kansas City. (Clark is pictured with ACS CvC’s senior director Natalie Morrison.)
Cancer can seem so overwhelming, so depressing, so sad. But we have to stand up together and do what we can to continue to make positive strides, achieve better outcomes and learn more about “what we do not know.” Ultimately, to make cancer, in all of its forms, beatable.
We now have an opportunity to make that positive difference in Las Vegas for everyone who is and will be impacted by cancer. Let’s enjoy the golf, the great courses, the wonderful volunteers, and the fellowship of our great coaches and friends.
As our good friend and Classic supporter Larry the Cable Guy says, “Let’s Git-R-Done!!”
Mike Clark Cancer Survivor
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SUNDAY, MAY 18
10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
MONDAY, MAY 19
Morning
7:00 A.M.
7:15 A.M.
7:30 A.M.
Afternoon
6:30 P.M.
Hospitality Suite
Park MGM’s Conference Center on the first floor (inside the room marked Greenwich)
Party with a Purpose at the NoMad Pool at Park MGM
Transportation via AWG leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at Cascata Golf Club
Transportation via AWG leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at Shadow Creek Golf Course
Transportation via AWG leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at TPC Summerlin
Bus pickup to return to Park MGM
Bigger Monday Party at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip (From Eataly at Park MGM, access the pedestrian bridge to cross over the Strip and arrive at the Hard Rock Cafe. Proceed to the third floor.)
TUESDAY, MAY 20
Morning
7:00 A.M.
7:15 A.M.
7:30 A.M.
Afternoon
Transportation via Bell Trans leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at Cascata Golf Club
Transportation via Bell Trans leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at Shadow Creek Golf Course
Transportation via Bell Trans leaves Park MGM for 9 a.m. shotgun start at Southern Highlands Golf Club
Bus pickup to return to Park MGM and airport
Your golf course location for each day will be provided to you in following communications via email, text or phone and will be shared prior to 5/19. If you do not receive this information, please reach out to a member of your foursome, or contact Ryan Daley at (702) 908-9061 to obtain it.
MONDAY, MAY 19
BIGGER MONDAY PARTY AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE TO FEATURE MISSION MOMENT… AND LV-STYLE KARAOKE!
Partygoers have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the nation’s top basketball coaches, former basketball players and other special guests at the BIGGER MONDAY PARTY at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip. This evening will feature a Mission Moment sponsored by Comprehensive Cancer Centers and the Las Vegas Sports Network. Comprehensive has been providing care to patients in Southern Nevada for more than 40 years. The practice is a strong advocate for clinical research as well as regular screenings, early detection and cancer prevention.
By offering medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary medicine, cancer genetic counseling and clinical research, Comprehensive can deliver the most advanced treatments and services to patients in Southern Nevada. The practice offers the latest in technology as well as groundbreaking treatments and services with the mission of keeping their patients’ care their main priority.
This evening, Brandi Ellis, patient of Comprehensive, will share her incredible cancer journey as a stage II invasive lobular breast cancer fighter and emphasize the importance of regular cancer screenings, with the goal of inspiring others to take charge of their health and prioritize prevention.
To end the evening, guests will enjoy a special performance from Las Vegas Karaoke A Go-Go, a real stage show with live lights and sound technician, a video screen, Go-Go Dancers and a live drummer. Hosted by Grammy nominee and Billboard Award winner David Nicoll, he’ll be sure to bring the energy and the fun.
Who will we see perform? You, maybe?
Shadow Creek, one of the country’s most exclusive golf courses, perennially ranks among Golfweek magazine’s top 10 courses and Golf Digest magazine’s top 10 public golf courses. It has been designated the best golf course in the world in a Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” issue. Shadow Creek’s special environment makes guests feel as if they’ve been transported to another world. Located in the midst of the barren Nevada desert on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Shadow Creek continues to achieve national recognition and the kind of startling mystique reserved for only a select number of golf courses.
Set in the foothills just 10 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip, Southern Highlands Golf Club presents a championship private golf experience, unsurpassed views, and the consummate privilege of membership in one of the country’s finest private golf clubs. The course is a rare and final collaboration by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. As you step onto the fairways and greens, you’ll be in awe of the natural majesty and technical challenges presented by this nationallyranked golf club. Southern Highlands epitomizes the traditional values hewn from golf’s deepest roots and finest clubs.
Cascata’s private gates open to a spectacular landscape that forms a regal backdrop for a golf experience like no other.
Consistently rated as one of the top courses to play by Golfweek and Golf Digest, this par-72 course provides stunning vistas at every turn, including the 3,600-foot peak at Red Mountain, lush fairways, lakes, and streams. A 418-ft waterfall provides the centerpiece for this bucket-list golf experience. Class A PGA professionals attend to equipment, fashion or instruction needs, and players are accompanied oncourse by a Tour-class forecaddie.
The Tuscan-style, 37,000-square-foot clubhouse offers an Old-World ambiance of unpretentious luxury, where attentive staff members oblige your every need. The dining room features an appetizing menu sure to impress every taste.
An oasis in the Nevada desert, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, TPC Summerlin showcases an array of amenities along with the personalized service and privileges that have become synonymous with the PGA TOUR’s acclaimed network of TPC Clubs.
This championship golf course was the site of Tiger Woods’ first professional victory in 1996. Located in the master-planned community of Summerlin in Las Vegas, TPC Summerlin plays home to the PGA TOUR Shriners Children’s Open.
This award-winning, Bobby Weed designed golf course incorporates traditional golf design with the natural desert of Nevada. At TPC Summerlin, remarkable golf is just the beginning of an outstanding PGA TOUR experience.
End cancer as we know it, for everyone!
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Today, more than 500 Division I, II, and III college coaches are involved in the program. Since its inception Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $179 million to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone!
There are over 18 million cancer survivors in the US, and the cancer death rate has declined by 33% since 1991, leading to more than 4.1 million lives saved during that time. This progress is due in part to our continued investments in patient support, groundbreaking research, and advocacy.
We are deeply grateful to visionary sponsors such as Sanford Health, MGM Resorts International and dozens more for helping sustain and grow this lifesaving event. Now in our 18th year, the Las Vegas Golf Classic has combined to raise over $16 million to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
