Bryce Rowland Memorial Golf Outing Returns July 18 to Support Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
ASHLAND, Ohio — Family, friends and supporters will gather Saturday, July 18, for the 5th Annual Bryce Thomas Rowland Memorial Golf Outing, an event created to honor a young man remembered for his kindness, humor and willingness to help others while raising money for mental health awareness, suicide prevention and local animal organizations.
The four-person scramble will be held at Brookside Golf Course, located at 1399 Sandusky Street in Ashland. The outing will include mulligans, skins, raffles, food and prizes for the top three teams.
The event honors Bryce Thomas Rowland, who died in 2020 at the age of 21 following a battle with mental health challenges.
Bryce’s family said his loss deeply affected everyone who knew and loved him and inspired them to begin working to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention throughout Ashland and Wayne counties.
“Mental health has become one of the defining public health and societal challenges of our time,” the family wrote. “Far too many individuals and families are suffering, often in silence and feeling alone in their struggles.”
Bryce graduated from Northwestern High School in 2017. During his school years, he enjoyed golf, wrestling and baseball. He also loved working on trucks and learning construction skills, including plumbing and flooring.
His family described him as a hardworking young man, a jokester with a beautiful smile and contagious laugh, and someone who was always willing to lend a hand.
Through the continued support of golfers, sponsors and community members, organizers report that the memorial fund has donated more than $67,000 to local causes during the past four years. A donation summary provided by organizers lists $67,600 in contributions.
Organizations receiving support have included NAMI Wooster, Anazao Community Partners, Catholic Charities of Ashland and Wooster, The Counseling Center in Wooster, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center and OneEighty.
Funds have also gone to families in the Northwestern Local School District and to the Ashland County Humane Society, Wayne County Humane Society and Wayne County Dog Shelter.
Organizers said the animal-related donations reflect Bryce’s love of animals and help cover adoption costs, recognizing the companionship pets can provide to people experiencing mental health struggles.
The donation breakdown includes:
$16,500 to NAMI Wooster
$8,000 to Anazao in Wooster
$7,500 to OneEighty in Wooster
$7,000 to Catholic Charities of Ashland and Wooster
$6,000 to The Counseling Center in Wooster
$6,000 to Appleseed Community Mental Health Center
$6,200 to the Wayne County Humane Society
$4,200 to the Ashland County Humane Society
$4,200 to the Wayne County Dog Shelter
$2,000 to Wayne County families needing help with school or sports expenses
Sponsorship opportunities remain available. A hole or tee sponsorship is $100. A $250 sponsorship includes a hole or tee sign and placement on a banner near the main pavilion. A $500 sponsorship includes those benefits along with placement on a large banner at the event entrance.
Raffle baskets, donated items and direct financial contributions are also being accepted.
Sponsorship forms may be emailed to cprowland76@gmail.com. Donations may also be mailed to the Bryce Rowland Memorial Fund, 3525 N. Firestone Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Questions may be directed to Chad at 330-603-0952 or Carrie at 330-317-7400.
Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide-related crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
