Ron Baker, friends raising money in Wichita golf marathon to help pay for junior golf
Ron Baker and a group of his Wichita friends will spend all-day next Monday hunting birdies on the golf course to ensure the youth of Wichita continue to play golf for free at city courses year-round.
The annual Wichita Golf Marathon helped pay for more than 2,000 rounds of golf for Wichita juniors last year. The goal this year is to raise $25,000 with 100% of the donations being deposited directly in the junior golf fund at the four city courses: Sim Park, MacDonald Park, Tex Consolver and Auburn Hills.
That’s why the former Wichita State basketball star and company are looking to raise awareness of their all-day event on Monday, April 18 that will feature around 50 local golfers playing from sunup to sundown at Sim Park. Junior golfers are also encouraged to come play for free.
“We’re trying to get as many birdies as possible,” said Baker, who added each birdie will earn money toward donations.
The Wichita Golf Marathon was started in 2019 by three of the top local golfers in Corey Novascone, Pete Krsnich and Rick Navarro. So far the group has already raised close to $10,000 for this year’s version.
Those interested in donating to the junior golf fund can make their donation at www.wichita.golf/give.
“We’re looking for sponsorships anywhere from being the title sponsor to sponsoring a hot dog at the turn,” said Eddie Fahnestock, the president of the city’s park advisory board who is working with Baker.
“You can sponsor $10 for every birdie. We’ll take anything and everything, the more fun, the better. If we can change just one kids’ life from doing this, then that’s what we’re here for.”
Baker is teaming up with four other friends, Fahnestock, Dustin Mercado, Jake Kuhlman and Casey Holt, for the event.
Raising money for junior golf has a special meaning to the group.
“The game of golf presented me with every opportunity that I’ve had today,” said Kuhlman, who works at ICT Health Insurance. “If I never got into playing golf, I have no idea where I would be today. No clue. That’s where it hits home for me. I want other kids to be able to play the game, so they can have those opportunities to be successful in life.”
“You learn so many core values out on the golf course,” Fahnestock added. “I learned how to communicate and handle myself on a golf course in any situation. It teaches you honestly and discipline and about etiquette. I think it’s huge for kids to be able to afford the opportunity that we all got.”
Mercado said he could have used a program like this when he was growing up. His family couldn’t afford for him to play a round of golf regularly, so he started caddying at a local country club and met a doctor who would let him play every Monday.
“Those were some of the best years as a kid growing up because you got to hang out and learn from and hear advice from some very successful people,” Mercado said. “You learn a lot of core values.”
The group hopes even just one junior golfer is able to take advantage of the funds raised and becomes hooked on the sport for life.
It’s not always about networking or looking for a personal-best score.
“You look at this group and we probably wouldn’t be friends if we didn’t play golf,” Mercado said. “I would consider all of these guys life-long friends, even if we don’t all stay in the area. So it’s not only about playing the game and being outside and enjoying nature, it’s also about the relationships and friendships that you can build playing this game.”
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