Blaine man’s friends hold golf tournament in his memory

By Steve Guntli

Blaine local Brad “Brose” Ambrose passed away more than a year ago, but his friends are keeping his memory alive with a memorial golf tournament.

The Brose-Ryder Cup Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Dakota Creek Golf and Country Club at 1 p.m. on August 7. Proceeds from the tournament will go toward funding a scholarship for Blaine High School students and building a college fund for Ambrose’s son, Ryder.

Rick Freeman and Steve Miller, two of Ambrose’s closest friends, are organizing the event. Miller, Blaine school district’s athletic coordinator, remembers Ambrose as one of the high school’s biggest supporters.

“Brad was a Borderite, maybe one of the biggest fans in the history of the school,” Miller said. “He was always at the games, cheering louder and longer than anyone else.”

Freeman, who knew Ambrose for nearly 40 years and lived with him for 10, said Ambrose had been born with a liver disorder. His doctors didn’t think he’d live past age 13, but he surpassed expectations.

He was passionate about sports, and even though his condition limited which ones he could play, he would always volunteer to run the scoreboard or participate in some way. He loved golf because it allowed him to compete at the same level as his friends. Dakota Creek was his favorite golf course.

Ambrose died last August at age 44, leaving behind girlfriend Susan Sanders and Ryder, now 2 years old. After his passing, the community came out to show their support.

“He was a great guy,” Miller said. “We threw a memorial fundraiser for his family last year at the Pastime Tavern, and it was just packed. We raised close to $9,000 that night alone.”

The community is still showing their support: less than a week after posting notices about the tournament on Facebook and in The Northern Light, the event has already reached its 100-participant limit.

“I’m amazed at the show of support,” Freeman said.

Several local businesses have donated items for a raffle and auction to take place after the tournament. Chris Jorgensen, a Blaine alumnus and former golf pro on the Nike tour, is donating some signed clubs for auction, and several businesses from Blaine, Ferndale and Bellingham are offering gift certificates as raffle prizes.

Miller said he and Freeman are hoping to make the tournament an annual event.

“It’s just a fun community thing,” Miller said. “This is a great town, and Brad really loved it here.”