Former Eastern Hancock graduate Caleb Wallen and Greenfield-Central graduate Owen Smith will host a golf fundraiser Sept. 18 at Arrowhead Golf Course to benefit current high school golf players.
HANCOCK COUNTY — On the outside, they’re just a couple of guys who love the game of golf. They like the game so much, Caleb Wallen and his friend Owen Smith even have a podcast called Below Average Golfers (BAGs).
On the inside though, they are two young Hancock County men who care deeply about how the game of golf can have a positive impact on a person’s life. Caleb went to Eastern Hancock (2014 graduate) and played varsity golf for all four years while Owen went to Greenfield-Central (2016 graduate) didn’t pick up the game until college.
On Monday, Sept. 18, they will host a golf fundraiser for scholarships they are creating on behalf of Caleb’s late cousin, Travis Sharrett. Travis was a senior at Blue River Valley High School when his life was tragically cut short in a car accident several years ago.
Travis, Caleb explains, was a big golfer and played on his high school team when he was tragically killed. While Caleb was only in sixth grade at the time, he looked up to his cousin immensely and Travis’ parents, Caleb’s aunt and uncle, decided to give Caleb Travis’ golf clubs.
The rest is history as Caleb ended up catching the “golf bug” and creating the BAGs podcast with Owen. Now they want to help other young golfers with their plan to set up scholarships, one for an Eastern Hancock golfer and one for a Greenfield-Central golfer.
“We want to help a senior member of their respective school’s golf team so that we can help them with any education, life or golf expenses that they may encounter after they graduate,” Caleb said.
They hope to raise the funds through their Sept. 18 golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3974 Clubhouse Drive, Greenfield. Starting at sunrise, they’ll play a continual loop of Arrowhead in hopes of them both making a birdie on each of the 18 holes before the sun goes down.
“We are raising money per birdie, per eagle and if we hit a hole-in-one, a hole sponsor or a general donation will be given where every dollar will go towards the scholarships,” Caleb said. “So, technically speaking, the playing portion of our event is not open to the public, but we are asking for the public to get involved by donating to our scholarship fund.”
They’re hoping area golfers and community members will get behind the cause by donating a specific amount per birdie, per eagle or if one of them should hit a hole-in-one at any point throughout the day.
All donations will then be split in half and given to the winners of the scholarship from their respective schools. People who want to donate can go to GoFundMe: Search for Travis Sharrett – Growing the Game Scholarship or reach out to Caleb directly via email at [email protected]. Anyone with any questions can also email the two at [email protected].
For senior golfers wishing to get the scholarship money, they can sign up through their respective school’s athletic department.
“Just as Travis helped grow the love of the game of golf for me, we want to do the same for other young golfers,” Caleb said.
