Golf for Joy: Sweet Sixteen
A Tradition of Joy Continues as Tournament Raises Over $1.1MM for Children and Families Facing Cancer and Serious Illness
The 16th annual Golf for Joy Tournament, presented by Northwestern Mutual, brought together golfers, philanthropists, business leaders, and champions for children facing serious illness on Monday June 22, and Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Against the stunning backdrop of Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, our community gathered once again to celebrate the power of joy and the life-changing impact of JoyRx Music, JoyRx Mentorship, and JoyRx Nature. Longtime supporters welcomed new friends, familiar faces reunited, and together we created another unforgettable chapter in the Golf for Joy story.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, this year’s tournament set a new record for the event, raising over $1.1 million to ensure JoyRx programs remain free for children, families, and pediatric healthcare partners across the country.
We are humbled, grateful, and inspired by the remarkable support shown throughout the tournament and evening program.
Honoring the Vision That Started It All
Golf for Joy began with a simple but powerful idea from tournament founder Gay Davis: bring people together around a game they love to create brighter days for children facing serious illness. Sixteen years later, that vision continues to thrive thanks to Gay's unwavering leadership and the dedication of the Golf for Joy Committee.
To celebrate his milestone 80th birthday this year, Gay set out to play 80 holes of golf, and raise an additional $80k, on the second day of the tournament - teeing off at 4:45 AM on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Along the way, he was interviewed by KPTV, cheered on by tournament teams as he played through, and accompanied by his wife, Judi, as well as friends and supporters. We are delighted to report that he did it! Gay played the 80th hole of the day around 4:35 PM, and was greeted with a celebration and champagne toast outside of the Witch Hollow Club House at his beloved Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
As we celebrate the 16th Annual Golf for Joy Tournament, we also celebrate the extraordinary community that Gay and the committee have built—one that continues to show what is possible when compassion, purpose, and generosity come together in service of children and families who need it most.
Photos by PDX Photo Co., courtesy of Children’s Cancer Association A Community United for Kids
The incredible Golf for Joy community continues to grow. This year’s Golf for Joy tournament welcomed players from as far as Korea and Australia, as well as long-time local supporters, and teams from across the country.
Together, they enjoyed two of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated courses while gathering with a golf community who share a commitment to bringing joy to children facing cancer and other serious illnesses.
As the sun began to set, guests gathered for an inspiring evening dinner and program filled with laughter, generosity, and heartfelt moments.
An Evening Led with Heart
The evening was expertly guided by host Amy Troy, whose warmth and enthusiasm set the tone for a celebration centered on impact, community, and gratitude.
Joining her was the incomparable Dale Johannes, whose energy, humor, and passion once again inspired extraordinary generosity throughout the live auction and paddle raise. As bids climbed and paddles lifted, the room rallied around a shared purpose: ensuring that every child facing a serious illness has access to moments of joy when they need them most.
Adding to the evening's celebration, Timothy J. Gerend, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Mutual, shared remarks on behalf of our Presenting Sponsor, Northwestern Mutual. His words reflected the company's deep commitment to investing in organizations whose focus is on helping support children and families facing pediatric cancer, and reinforced the importance of the work that non-profits, like Children’s Cancer Association, lead.
Northwestern Mutual's leading partnership helps advance the mission of JoyRx programs. Their support of Golf for Joy continues to inspire generosity and expand access to programs that bring comfort, companionship, and joy to thousands of children and families each year.
From JoyRx-served Dad to JoyRx Mentor
One of the most moving moments of the evening came when Dan Lauer took the stage to share remarks about his daughter, Maddie, who died of cancer as a teenager.
With honesty, vulnerability, and remarkable grace, Dan reflected on the challenges his family faced during his daughter Maddie's treatment and the profound impact that moments of joy, connection, and support had during some of their darkest days. As he spoke about the uncertainty, fear, and isolation that so many families experience, there were few dry eyes in the room.
Dan's story was a powerful reminder that the impact of JoyRx extends far beyond a single hospital visit or program interaction. The support his family received during treatment helped create moments of comfort and connection that have stayed with them long after their cancer journey ended.
Today, that gratitude has come full circle.
Dan now serves as a JoyRx Mentor, offering companionship and encouragement to children and families walking a path that his own family knows all too well. His story embodied the spirit of Golf for Joy: the idea that the support we give today can come back around in ways we never imagine.
As he concluded his remarks, Dan reflected on what families ultimately carry with them from their treatment experience:
"Years from now, families who are in treatment today won't remember every medication or every scan or every appointment. They'll remember the people who showed up for them. They'll remember the laughter. And they'll remember the moments of joy."
He then shared a recent memory from a visit with his mentee, describing how he found himself singing the child to sleep at the end of their time together.
It was a simple, beautiful image that perfectly captured the heart of JoyRx and left the room deeply moved.
Dan's message reminded us all that joy is not just something we experience—it is something we share. And because of the generosity of the Golf for Joy community, more children and families will continue to experience those moments when they need them most.
Our Committee and Tournament Results
We’re delighted to offer congratulations to our amateur foursome winners: Team Captain Frederick Buckman Senior, with Bill Hurst, Fred Schreyer, and Bob Porter, playing with pro Dave Porter from Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. And hats off to our winners in the pro competition: Craig Ronne, from Emerald valley Golf Club in Creswell, Oregon.
You can see all final scores and results here.
Thank you to our wonderful Golf for Joy committee, including co-chairs Gay Davis and Fred Buckman Jr., and members Fred Buckman Sr., Pat McCabe, Jeremy Reedal, and Sean Edwards — who were instrumental in bringing this event to life.
To the staff and volunteers who brought this event to life, thank you for sharing your time and talents with Children's Cancer Association.
Honoring the Partners Who Make Joy Possible
The success of Golf for Joy is made possible by a remarkable community of corporate partners who believe every child facing a serious illness deserves moments of connection, comfort, and joy.
In addition to our gratitude for Northwestern Mutual, our Presenting Sponsor, the following generous sponsors each aspect of the day:
• Hoffman Construction — Reception Sponsor
• Pacific Office Automation — Live Auction Sponsor
• Portland Bolt — Joy Sponsor
• Alvarez & Marsal — Joy Sponsor
• Western Pacific Building Materials — Pin Flag Sponsor
• Mattress World — Coffee Cart Sponsor
• Umpqua Bank — Margarita Cart Sponsor
We are also deeply grateful to our generous in-kind partners whose contributions helped make the day such a success:
• American Express
• Pat McCabe
• Breakside Brewing
• Bull Run Distillery
• Columbia Distributing
• Columbia Sportswear
• George Fox Women's Golf Team
• Lytle-Barnett and Aubaine
• Portland Gear
• Rose City Distilling
• Tito's Handmade Vodka
From the first cup of coffee to the final paddle raise, these sponsors and partners helped create a memorable experience for golfers, guests, volunteers, and supporters while advancing a mission that brings joy, connection, and comfort to children and families facing serious illness.
Together, they demonstrate the point of Golf for Joy: to realize what is possible when a community comes together to share their combined support of something bigger than itself. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s tournament a truly sweet (and impactful!) sixteen for Golf for Joy, benefiting Children’s Cancer Association.