HealthLinks magazine hosts golf tournament to raise funds and awareness for local Parkinson’s programs
from Staff Reports
It’s not often a charity golf tournament gives participants a chance to witness exactly where their support is going in real time.
But during the third annual HealthLinks charity golf tournament held April 16 at The Links at Stono Ferry, golfers were able to do just that.
An hour after the shotgun start, a group of local residents living with Parkinson’s disease took part in a live demonstration from Rock Steady Boxing Charleston, a non-contact fitness program designed specifically for those with the disease. The high-energy session featured participants throwing punches while performing mental challenges such as reciting the alphabet backward, exercises meant to engage both body and brain.
That combination matters.
“The forced mental exertion combined with forced physical exertion slows the progression of Parkinson’s. That’s the science behind it, and the results are incredible,” said Cullen Murray-Kemp, publisher of HealthLinks, a lifestyle magazine centered around healthcare information, networking, and community outreach in the Charleston area.
The annual tournament has quickly grown into a meaningful fundraiser for local Parkinson’s disease support efforts.
“This was our third year doing the tournament,” Murray-Kemp said. “The first year we did three different tournaments on three different courses. We realized that was too much.”
This year, organizers streamlined the format into one larger event — and saw strong results. A total of 36 teams, or 144 golfers, turned out for a sunny day at Stono Ferry.
“We raised considerably more than we did last year, which was considerably more than the year before,” Murray-Kemp said.
He estimated this year’s fundraising total at roughly $50,000, with around $20,000 expected to go directly toward Parkinson’s disease-related causes after expenses.
For Murray-Kemp, the cause is personal.
His late father lived with Parkinson’s disease, giving him firsthand insight into the physical and emotional challenges families often face after a diagnosis.
“With the money raised at the golf tournament, I’m hoping to help people who are dealing with Parkinson’s now,” he said.
Among the beneficiaries is Parkinson Pacers, a Charleston-based group offering free Nordic walking and urban poling programs for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
Tournament proceeds will also help provide scholarships for local Rock Steady Boxing participants who may not otherwise be able to afford classes.
“The program is so valuable, and it really does slow the progression of the disease. But it can be kind of expensive,” Murray-Kemp said. “I don’t think that should be just for people who can afford it. Parkinson’s isn’t proprietary to people who have money. So we’re offering scholarships to people who can’t afford it. That’s a big goal.”
Rock Steady Boxing has grown into an international nonprofit with more than 800 affiliate locations in all 50 states and 14 countries. In the Lowcountry, classes are offered at several sites, including the Waring Senior Center in West Ashley.
While fundraising is a major focus of the tournament, Murray-Kemp says awareness and early action may be just as important.
He said many people naturally retreat after receiving a diagnosis, especially when fear and uncertainty set in. But delaying exercise and community involvement can come at a cost.
“I went through that with my dad when he was resistant to doing anything, especially with other Parkinson’s patients, because he didn’t want to see those who were more advanced,” Murray-Kemp said. “What that resulted in was the disease progressing faster.”
That experience now drives his efforts to encourage newly diagnosed patients to seek help early and stay active.
“So that has been my goal: to get people who have been diagnosed recently and are nervous and scared to get involved, to start fighting immediately,” he said.
For golfers at Stono Ferry, the day offered more than a round on one of the Lowcountry’s scenic courses. It was also a reminder that community events can do more than raise money. They can build connections, expand access to care, and offer hope.
In West Ashley, Rock Steady Boxing is held at the Waring Senior Center, located at 2001 Henry Tecklenburg Dr. For more info or to register, call (843) 402-1990 or visit www.lowcountryseniorcenter.com.
