Jeff Wallace Memorial Golf Outing to benefit youth sports this summer

ALPENA, MICH — Golfer’s at River’s Edge came out in droves today to honor a man who was larger than life in his community.

Yesterday marked the 6th year of the Jeff Wallace memorial golf outing. Jeff died of a heart attack back in 2013, at the tender age of 52… but even after his death, his legacy carried on. His family decided to start the golf event to raise money for local organizations that were close to his heart. Up until this year, donations from the outing helped support the hospital. Jeff’s daughter, Chelsea, says,

“This year, we changed what our funds are going to be for, and it is for local youth sports. So it will help them buy sports equipment that they otherwise can’t afford, help them be able to play sports that they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. He was our coach growing up. He coached us in soccer, baseball, softball, basketball. So being able to kind of pay that forward and carry on his memory in that fashion is something we’re really excited and passionate about.”

Chelsea says her father was a fourth generation Alpena native in her family. He worked in the concrete industry for years, and loved to do his part in the community, which is why this year’s recipient for donations was chosen.

“He was very active in the community. He was on the board for the chamber of commerce back in the day. Alpena was his home and his heart.”T

he fundraiser reached its max at 128 participants. The fun and games included a marshmallow tee off, a Happy Gilmore hole, and beer can hole on the green. There was also a large inflatable dinosaur game for donations.

Chelsea hopes to raise more than $8,000 at this year’s event.