135 holes in one day. That’s some marathon golf game. However, for Stan McLennan, the PGA golf professional at Suffield Country Club, this isn’t about avoiding mowing the lawn. What started as a golf fundraiser to support breast cancer research in honor of his mother in 1989 has grown to over $250,000 in charitable fundraising today. Since 1989, Stan has been using his golf game to support fundraising for cancer and to benefit the Suffield Scholarship Foundation, a scholarship fund he established to develop and support local young golfers in need.
Sitting in Stan’s office at the Suffield Country Club, Stan explained his motivation, “I said to myself you gotta give back. You’ve had a lot of good things happen in your life.”
Acting on this, Stan sets aside one day in October to play 135 holes of golf at the Suffield Country Club. Supporters are encouraged to donate or make a pledge per hole or on a birdie. (This means a score of 1-under par on any individual golf hole.) Stan strives to make as many birdies as he can.
On a typical marathon day, Stan will play from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At times, playing 9 holes in 27 minutes! To prep, Stan focuses on hydration and eating foods that offer energy. It’s a family affair, with Stan’s wife, Joyce, checking on his supplies and delivering lunch.
For Stan, when he is out there playing it’s a type of therapy. Stan is quick to explain that it’s not about his marathon performance, but the reward of putting the money in the accounts.
“It’s not about me, it’s about supporting the community,” Stan said, “ My father inspired me to make sure you live your life to the fullest and as part of that, make other people’s lives around you better.
October is here. Soon, Stan McLennan will be out there swinging his club to raise money for breast cancer research and his Suffield Scholarship Foundation. He isn’t stopping. He will be playing to benefit the community in the best way he can. Playing golf. Watch for him on the course at the Suffield Country Club.