Home » Home » The Mikey Strong Foundation Golf Tournament Set April 26 at Spessard Holland Melbourne Beach

The Mikey Strong Foundation Golf Tournament Set April 26 at Spessard Holland Melbourne Beach

By  //  April 18, 2025

Field is Full However Public is Invited to After-Party to Raise Funds For Cancer

The Mikey Strong Foundation will be holding its “Golf Fore A Cure” golf tournament on Saturday, April 26, at Spessard Holland Golf Course, 2374 Oak Street, in Melbourne Beach. The field is currently whole; however, there will be an after-party that the public is encouraged to attend. The after-party is scheduled to begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. and will feature a closest-to-the-pin contest, raffles, awards, food and beverages, and a helicopter ball drop. There is a $20 cost to attend the after-party.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Mikey Strong Foundation will be holding its “Golf Fore A Cure” golf tournament on Saturday, April 26, at Spessard Holland Golf Course in Melbourne Beach.

This very special tournament and after-party, which will start at approximately 4:30 p.m., will raise funds for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) brain tumor research and to support those battling this deadly disease. Currently, there is no cure for DIPG.

The good news, as far as the tournament is concerned, is that the field is whole. However, there is still a way for the public to participate.

Mikey Goodwin (pictured), a 19-year-old student/athlete from Brevard County, was diagnosed with DIPG in February of 2020 and died in May of 2020. The Mikey Strong Foundation has done a remarkable job raising funds since Mikey’s passing, having raised approximately $300,000.00.

The after-party, held immediately following the tournament, is open to the public for a $20 cost. It will include a closest-to-the-pin contest, raffles, awards, food and beverages, and a helicopter ball drop.

The “Chopper FORE a Cure” ball drop will feature Vivian Sleeth, a young girl from Rockledge, who is currently battling DIPG. Viv, her brother, Corbin, and their mom, Brittany, will be in the helicopter and release the golf balls! The “Chopper FORE a Cure” ball drop will take place at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The “Chopper FORE a Cure” ball drop at The Mikey Strong Foundation golf tournament will feature Vivian Sleeth (far right), a young girl from Rockledge, who is currently battling DIPG. Viv, her brother, Corbin (center), and their mom, Brittany (left), will be in the helicopter and release the golf balls! The “Chopper FORE a Cure” ball drop will take place at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Mikey Goodwin, a 19-year-old student/athlete from Brevard County, was diagnosed with DIPG in February of 2020 and died in May of 2020. The Mikey Strong Foundation has done a remarkable job raising funds since Mikey’s passing, having raised approximately $300,000.00.

Organizations such as Candlelighters of Brevard and the University of Florida (funds dedicated to brain research) are among those benefiting from The Mikey Strong Foundation.

Mary Goodwin, Mikey’s mother, said this about The Mikey Strong Foundation and their goal: “My primary concern is that we need to increase awareness; we need funding to increase. There are too many people dying from this disease. DIPG robbed my son of a full life, and I will continue to fight in his honor.”

Goodwin family photo after Mikey had finished chemo and radiation. (L-R) Sam, Mikey, Malley, Mary, and Mike. The Mikey Strong Foundation will be holding its “Golf Fore A Cure” golf tournament on Saturday, April 26, at Spessard Holland Golf Course in Melbourne Beach. There will be an after-party that the public is encouraged to attend. The after-party is scheduled to begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. and will feature a closest-to-the-pin contest, raffles, awards, food and beverages, and a helicopter ball drop. The cost to attend the after-party is $20.

We, as a society, MUST do better. Ignoring DIPG and other pediatric cancers should no longer be an option. We are losing too many young people needlessly.

Saturday, April 26, is a time to celebrate and honor a very special young man, Mikey Goodwin. Although Mikey is no longer walking among us, he is with us in spirit. Mikey will never be forgotten. Mikey’s family and friends will make sure that doesn’t happen.

For more information, email mikeystrong5k@gmail.com.

About DIPG:

According to the National Cancer Institute, “Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a fast-growing type of brain tumor that starts in the part of the brain stem called the pons. The brainstem is the part of the brain located above the back of the neck and connected to the spinal cord. The pons controls many vital functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as the nerves and muscles used for activities like seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating. DIPG is a glioma, meaning it originates in the glial cells of the brain stem. Glial cells support and protect the brain’s nerve cells.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide range of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events produced by their nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate and Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.