Golf has always been a favorite pastime here on the Grand Strand, but when the community comes together for a cause, it becomes something so much more. This summer, more than 100 friends, neighbors, and supporters gathered at Burning Ridge Golf Course for our annual Strongman Luca James Golf Tournament. What unfolded was more than a competition, it was a day of generosity, fellowship, and hope for families facing childhood cancer.
The very first tournament in 2022 was created to support our own family during Luca’s treatment for leukemia. In those early days, we were overwhelmed by the medical expenses, travel, and the emotional weight of the diagnosis. Our loved ones asked, “What can we do? How can we help?” and the golf tournament was born. The outpouring of support that first year was life-changing and gave us strength during a time when we needed it most. It also sparked something bigger, the realization that no family should ever carry that burden alone.
Out of that experience, the Strongman Luca James Foundation was formed in 2024 to pay forward the same love we had received. Since then, the tournament has grown into a tradition not only to honor Luca’s courage but also to extend help to other families on a similar path. This year, we connected with Vanessa, a local mother whose 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in March. Thanks to the generosity of golfers, sponsors, and volunteers, we were able to present her family with a $5,000 gift during the event. In total, the tournament raised around $20,000, all dedicated to providing comfort, relief, and encouragement for families in need.
The tournament has also grown into something even bigger than we imagined. In 2024, it was the very stage where Luca’s own Make-A-Wish dream, a family trip to Disney World, was revealed. That moment, made possible through the funds raised, showed us firsthand how powerful a wish can be in lifting spirits during treatment. Since then, proceeds from the tournament have gone on to help grant additional wishes for other children with critical illnesses, creating joy and hope far beyond the golf course.
What makes this event so special isn’t the leaderboard or the trophies, it’s the people. It’s the local businesses who step up to sponsor, the players who spend their Sunday golfing for a cause, and the volunteers who give their time to make it all happen. It’s about coming together to lift the weight of treatment, even just a little, and to remind families that they are surrounded by a community that cares.
Each golfer, sponsor, and volunteer played a part in making a real difference for families. Together, we turned a day on the course into meaningful support for those who need it most.