Sentara supports men's charity golf tournament

Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover gathered with over 130 men on Father’s Day weekend to play in the Foursomes Fore Fatherhood charity golf tournament, which promoted health awareness in partnership with Sentara Health. 

“The Foursomes Fore Fatherhood Tournament is about more than the game. It's about protecting our health, our futures, and our families,” said Vanessa Hill, community health manager with Sentara’s health equity team. “Black men face higher risks for prostate cancer, high blood pressure, and stroke but together, through awareness, prevention, and support, we can rewrite that story.”

Hill spoke with the men about health topics before and after the tournament, which was held in Portsmouth, Virginia.

“How often are you invited to connect with 130 Black men on a golf course?” asked Hill. “These are the exact opportunities Sentara’s health equity team is committed to. It’s about showing up in the community as a partner, a friend, not just a health system.”

There were Sentara awareness signs at all 18 holes on the green, with facts and resources about lung health, sexual health, depression, sleep apnea, colon cancer, vaccinations, and more.

“I thought the signs were really critical in terms of information, and we know for African American men there is an overall lack of awareness around health,” said Mayor Glover. “We don’t trust the healthcare system as we should, and we more than any other group are impacted by that.” 

Tyrone Davis, founder of Education Services of Hampton Roads, Inc., which hosted the tournament, said he was happy to incorporate a health component.  

“We have men from all over the country here today so it’s a great opportunity to make them more health conscious,” said Davis.

The golf tournament took place at the Bid-A-Wee golf course.

“The course opened in 1956, and minorities were denied access for a long time,” said Davis. “To see so many Black men who are physicians, entrepreneurs, executives, councilmen, out here enjoying the game is very special.”  

Davis said that golf is a great way to bring health to the attention of men, in an environment they are comfortable in. 

“When you’re golfing, you’re relaxed and that makes tough conversations easier to have,” said Davis. “Once this consciousness is occurring among men, everybody benefits.”

The funds raised from the event will help support fathers recently released from incarceration to help pay for GEDs, other educational programs, and books. 

Sentara also supports fatherhood through its New Dad 101 classes, which offer a safe space for men to ask honest questions about parenting and gives them helpful advice and information.