The World’s Greatest Fraternity Hosts the World’s Best Golfers

At the end of this month, 132 of the world’s best golfers will converge at the TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada to compete for the FedEXCup in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. This year marks the 36th anniversary of the PGA Tour event and welcomes golf enthusiasts, Shriners from across the country, and exceptional children who have been treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children for the care of cleft lips and palates and serious orthopedic, burn, and spinal cord injuries.

Randy Welborn, a member of the El Korah Shrine in Boise, Idaho, will join close to 1,000 other Shriners and volunteers to donate their time and money to ensure this year’s event is a success. “Ask any Shriner why we do what we do,” Randy explained, “and they’ll tell you we work for the kids.”

Since 1920, the Shriners Fraternity has made helping children with severe and traumatic injuries their mission leading to their effort being dubbed “The World’s Greatest Philanthropy.” Today, over 400,000 Shriners representing 200 temples in seven countries continue to focus on the support of the twenty-two Shriners Hospitals for Children located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Shriners Hospitals have treated over one million children, and patients are not required to pay.

Shriners are men from all walks of life and professions including plumbers, dentists, salesmen, truck drivers, CEOs, contractors, and financial advisors. Randy, an independent financial advisor with Financial Advocates and founder of Clear Creek Wealth Management, was first introduced to the fraternity over twenty years ago by a client who was a Mason. After serving as a Mason for nine years, Randy received his third Mason degree as a Master Mason qualifying him to become a Shriner in 2007.

“It doesn’t matter where I am,” explained Randy. “If I’m wearing my Mason ring, I meet other good men and have around the world.”

Throughout the year, local area Shriners donate and volunteer to support the Shriners Hospital for Children affiliated with their temple. The El Korah Shrine in Boise, Idaho, where Randy is a member, rents out their temple to the public and conducts several fundraising events for the Shriners Hospitals located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Portland, Oregon.

“Shriners are very aware of children in need,” explained Randy. “If I see a child with a serious injury, I’ll approach their parents and ask if they need something that they aren’t getting. Most of the time they are being treated, but if they aren’t I want them to know about Shriners Hospitals and that there’s help, even if they can’t afford treatment.”

Just as a Mason ring is readily identifiable to other Masons, the Fez, a bright red headgear with a black tassel, is easily recognizable to children who have been treated at a Shriners Hospital. “The best thing that happens is when a Shriner’s kid comes up and hugs you,” said Randy.

To learn more about the upcoming Shriners Hospitals for Children Open visit: shrinershospitalsopen.com

To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children and to donate visit donate.lovetotherescue.org

To learn more about Randy Welborn and Clear Creek Wealth Management visit: clearcreekwealthmanagement.com