Making Waves Golf Classic Recap
Presented by The Brady Effect
July 26, 2025 | Memorial Park Golf Club | Kenton, Ohio
On July 26th, 2025, The Brady Effect hosted its First Annual Making Waves Golf Classic—and what unfolded that day was far more than a golf tournament. It was a heartfelt tribute. A rallying of community. A joyful, emotional, purpose-driven day that we’ll remember for years to come.
Held at Memorial Park Golf Club in Kenton, Ohio, this first-time event brought together 32 incredible teams, a dozen volunteers, over a hundred supporters all united by a cause close to our hearts: improving water safety and education for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our sponsors, participants, raffle donors, and supporters, we’re thrilled to share that we raised over $12,000 to advance our mission.
Why We Teed Off
The Brady Effect was founded to honor the life and legacy of a young man who cared deeply for others, and to address a devastating and underrepresented issue: children and individuals with autism are at a much greater risk of drowning than their neurotypical peers.
In just our first year, we’ve already begun tackling this challenge through three core initiatives:
Awareness & Education: We’re working to bring visibility to the dangers autistic individuals face around water. Many of whom are drawn to it but may not have the necessary safety awareness or access to swim instruction.
Life Preserver Installations: We’ve begun placing clearly marked life-saving flotation devices at public water locations throughout our community. These preservers can make the difference between life and tragedy in a moment of need.
Family CPR Training: This year, we’ll be hosting CPR certification courses for families in our community, giving them a crucial tool for emergency situations that could save a life.
The Making Waves Golf Classic was not just our first major fundraising event, it was the first large-scale expression of this mission in action.
The Day at a Glance
The morning began with a flurry of activity, registration opened bright and early, and teams were provided with a quick bagel breakfast from Panera.
By mid-morning, all 32 teams were out on the course and ready to play. As teams navigated their way through 18 holes, they were greeted by volunteers stationed across the course—a mix of dedicated board members, committee chairs, and selfless community members who spent their day ensuring a smooth and fun experience for everyone involved.
Around midday, players enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers at the turn, a casual lunch break before heading back out for the second half of the scramble.
Back at the clubhouse later in the afternoon, we wrapped up the day with:
A delicious post-tournament meal
A suspenseful putt-off showdown between two teams tied for 1st and two teams tied for 3rd place
Announcements of our raffle basket winners
Recognition of on-course contest winners
And the reveal of our 50/50 winner
In a true show of generosity, over $2,000 in winnings were donated back to The Brady Effect by several of our event winners. That’s the kind of community spirit that made this event so deeply special.
First Place and So Much More
While we came together for a cause bigger than the game, we also celebrated those who brought their A-game to the green.
Congratulations to our arious winners of the day:
1st Place: Sean Root, Jared Bosleman, Matt Reed, Josh Sheppard
2nd Place: Delaney Aquavia, James Aquavia, Ricky Berg
3rd Place: Britton Hensel, Will Hoppe, Luke Nichols, Nick Castle
Longest Drive (Hole 2): Matt Heffinger
Longest Drive (Hole 18): Ben Hensel
Longest Putt: Ethan Wirbel
Closest Second Shot: Rocco Longbrake
Thank you to all of the golfers who brought skill and sportsmanship to every swing.
Our 50/50 raffle winner and raffle basket prize winners walked away with some exciting prizes, and once again, many of them turned right around and gave back. That spirit of giving was a theme that carried through the entire day.
A Community United
What made this event truly special wasn’t just the funds raised—it was the atmosphere of connection, compassion, and shared purpose that filled the air from the first check-in to the final raffle ticket pulled.
We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers—every board member, committee leader, and community member who gave their time, energy, and smiles to make this day a success. Whether helping with registration, working a hole, grilling lunch, or simply keeping things running smoothly, we couldn’t have done it without you.
And of course, to our players, sponsors, donors, and supporters: Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for showing up. And thank you for helping us lay a strong foundation for the future of The Brady Effect.
