When Brittany Marchand was little, it was her grandpa, Reggie, who got her into the game of golf. Unfortunately, two years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the disease has progressed to the point where he can no longer watch his granddaughter play golf or truly follow her career.
“He pushed me and helped me to get where I am today,” said Marchand, who recently won the Freedom 55 Financial Charity Skins Game in Canada and donated her share of the winnings to the Alzheimer’s Society of Peel – the region her grandpa lives. “He’s truly the most inspirational person in my life."
Three weeks ago, Marchand captured her first Epson Tour victory at the PHC Classic and then won the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada the following week. This week, she is a sponsor exemption into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour.
Marchand will return to the Epson Tour next week to chase down a spot in the final top 10 and earn a full-time LPGA card. She currently ranks 17th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.
At the charity skins match, Marchand was teamed with LPGA pro Alena Sharp at Augusta James’ home course, Loyalist Golf & Country Club (Ontario), and the duo split $4,850. Marchand donated her share of $2,425 to the Alzheimer’s Society of Peel. She won approximately $2,400 last year and made the same donation.
"It’s sad for me because his dream was for me to get to this stage (professional golf) and now he can’t see it,” said Marchand. “He means so much to me and that’s why I made the donation to them.”
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