Cherry Hill Sun

By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Cherry Hill Sun
Brad Hennefer might be hitting a few golf balls in St. Louis next month, as the talented young golfer is a finalist for People Magazine’s “All-Stars Among Us,” a contest that profiles regular people who strive to make their communities a better place to live.
Hennefer, a 20-year-old man with Down syndrome, travels the country with the Brad Hennefer Golf For Life Foundation, inspiring young children with Down syndrome to take up the game of golf. Hennefer – the first student with Down syndrome to graduate from Cherry Hill East – has participated in Special Olympics basketball, golf and weight lifting, winning several gold and silver medals. He also was a member of his high school varsity basketball and golf teams.
Hennefer is one of three finalist for the contest and if chosen he will represent the Phillies at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game on July 14, in St. Louis, Mo. He could also be profiled in an upcoming article for People Magazine.
Being chosen as a final representative is a dream come true, Brad said, and is almost as rewarding as inspiring families and their children with his story.
“I think it’s great. I hope I’ll be at the All-Star Game,” he said. “I like meeting all of the families and all the kids when we travel. I love teaching them how to hit balls, how to hit them straight and helping them have fun.”
The Golf For Life Foundation, said Robert Hennefer, president and Brad’s father, has touched the lives of families throughout the country.
It’s inspiring to see Brad and the game of golf make such a difference in the lives of children who have Down syndrome and their families, Robert said. His wife, Nancy, is also heavily involved in the foundation.
Robert’s other son – Bob Hennefer – is a member of the PGA of America and is the head golf professional at White Oaks Country Club in Newfield.
He helps organize pros from the Philadelphia PGA section to give lessons to children at the foundation’s free golf clinics that are held throughout the country.
“We’re traveling around the country and meeting different families,” Robert said. “Brad is such an inspiration to families that have children with Down syndrome. They all look up to Brad. It’s a great feeling.”
He told a story of a recent event at the Seaview Marriot Resort & Spa in Galloway.
A father approached him and said he had a 4-year-old boy with Down syndrome and he doubted golf would be able to help the boy focus.
After an hour of hitting golf balls on the range with a PGA Professional, Robert said, the young athlete was hooked.
The mom and dad were in tears, he said, they were amazed at how quickly the young boy took to the game and enjoyed the experience.
That’s what golf does, Robert said, it can bring families together.
“This morning the three of us played a round at Burlington Country Club. One of the guys there said, ‘this has to be pretty good for you,’ I told him that to be out here playing with both of my kids, it just doesn’t get any better,” he said. “You can play golf for the rest of your lives together. For us to teach and instruct others to get this done, it’s a great thing. Make no mistake, Brad is our catalyst.”
If Hennefer receives the most votes out of the three representatives, he will be flown to the All-Star game as guest of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The voting deadline is Wednesday, June 24, and votes can be cast at the People Magazine Web site at peopleallstars.com/peopleallstars.
Voters can pick the Phillies logo and see how to vote for Hennefer.
Voters can cast a vote as many times as they wish.

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