The air is getting crisper, the days are getting shorter, leaves are changing color and that means…. boy’s golf and the District 203 Mikey Gustafson/Connor Hunt Match Play Cup! (Formerly called the Ryder Cup.)
The Match Play has been a tradition since 2014 as a way for the NNHS golf team to honor the loss of their team member, Michael. In 2018 the event expanded to raise funds for the Connor Hunt Foundation as sadly, NCHS also experienced the loss of a team member to cancer. Here’s a quote sent to the golf team and their families:
“This day furthers the sportsmanship between the two schools that has been a long-standing tradition. In victory or defeat, enjoy this day and remember its purpose of strengthening the relationships between the two schools. Most importantly, we play in memory of Mikey Gustafson and Connor Hunt, and their battle against pediatric cancer.”
This year the event raised just under $2000 for Swifty. 100% of those donations will fund pediatric brain cancer research.
What makes the coming together of these two “rival” schools all the more meaningful for our family is that I am a proud graduate of Naperville Central and my husband, Al a graduate of Naperville North. So, this “rivalry” is personal! We want to thank the generous families of the Naperville community who continue to honor Michael and Connor’s memories by supporting these foundations and to especially thank Coach Hantak and Coach Baldwin for continuing to host this event year after year and for keeping our boy’s memories alive. That is a precious gift.
Patti Gustafson
Mikey’s Mom
NCHS Class of 1982
This video from the inaugural year explains the intent and the origin of this event. I especially love Coach’s quote:
“Naperville North and Naperville Central, this rivalry where they want to beat each other, walking down the fairway talking about more than golf today. It’s not about winning a conference match, or being in the state tournament. It’s about being out here for a cause.”
