Brent Peterson Golf Classic Celebrates Decade of Combating Parkinson's

Elbow bumps were traded instead of hugs, and masks became part of golf attire, but drives were flying and putts were sunk just as they are every year about this time.
The Nashville Predators Foundation hosted its 10th annual First Horizon Brent Peterson Golf Classic on Monday at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee, and despite the new guidelines in place throughout everyday life, the ultimate goal was still achieved.
Over $70,000 was raised for the Preds Foundation and Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's during the course of the day, and in the past decade, over $1.6 million has been accumulated thanks to the event.

Affectionately known as "Petey" to everyone in the Preds organization, Peterson, who can be found on the golf course more often than not, says this is always one of his favorite days of the year.
It's not difficult to see why.
After appearing in more than 600 games in the NHL in the 1970s and 80s, Peterson joined the coaching ranks immediately following his retirement as a player. That journey led him to the inaugural season with the Predators in 1998-99 where he served as an assistant, and then associate coach, for the first decade-plus of the team's existence.

Peterson was first diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003, and as the disease progressed, he was eventually forced to step away from the bench - but he was only getting started elsewhere.
In 2009, the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's was born, and Peterson has now dedicated his life to helping others with the disease find a better life of their own, particularly here in Middle Tennessee.
That's what keeps him, and so many others, coming back to the golf course year after year - not only to enjoy the camaraderie that is easy to form in a setting like this, but to raise awareness and funds for a cause that affects so many.
"It's everything to me," Peterson said of the event. "Not only can we raise money, but we get exposure and people learn about Parkinson's. We have a couple guys out there playing that are getting up there in age and have Parkinson's, and they're just great because they still want to play and they still want to do things. It's fun to take our part of the money that we raised to help the people in this area. We have all kinds of things that will help the people in this area that have Parkinson's have a little bit better lifestyle."
Those activities include boxing, dancing, painting and even a choir to not only keep those with Parkinson's active, but give them a support group with others who are going through the same things.
They've made a positive difference in Peterson's life, and so does hosting this event, especially at a time like this.
Predators General Manager David Poile, Head Coach John Hynes, Captain Roman Josi and forward Rocco Grimaldi highlighted a group that hit the links along with more than 100 golfers on the day, and Peterson was grateful for their support.
"It was great to see David and John… and Roman and Rocco being here, they were wonderful," Peterson said. "Everybody came up to me and said, 'Geez, those guys were nice people,' and that's just good to hear. Josi didn't have to come out either, he's a big star in the League now, and he didn't have to go out of his way, but he came out to support, just like everyone else. It was so great to see everyone in person too."

Every event the Predators Foundation helps to put on is special in its own way, but this one hits home a bit different.
"The reason this is so successful is because it's a passion project for Brent, and he is a part of every facet from the beginning to the end," Predators Vice President of Community Relations Rebecca King said. "The fact that it's tied to someone so personally makes it much more special than just a general Foundation fundraiser."
The passion from Peterson is to be expected. He doesn't know how to do things any other way, and because of that, so many fighting Parkinson's right along with him are benefitting more than ever before.
"The support over the last decade has been fantastic, and it's so special to see everyone out here year after year," Peterson said. "To have the support from everyone in the organization is amazing, and it just gets better and better."
Fans, text PREDS to 76278 before Sept. 25 to take part in the golf auction or to donate.
For more information on the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's,
please click here
. For the Nashville Predators Foundation,
click here
.