Golfing to Remember Caleb

(ABC 6 News) – This story comes from the hearts of people in Chatfield. They gathered at the Chosen Valley Golf Course Saturday to honor Caleb Eide.

He lost his fight to cancer in 2016. One of his favorite sports was golf.

Family, friends, and community members all came together to tee off and remember him.

"Caleb golfed every moment he could," Crystal Eide, Caleb’s mom said.

Caleb was a healthy and active kid who loved all different kinds of sports.

But on February 6, 2014, his mom Crystal received the news she’ll never forget, that her son was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Caleb spent the next two and a half years in the hospital, but it was at the golf course that his family could gather and be at peace. It was an escape from everything.

"This was one place that we could spend time away from the hospital and away from some of those scary moments that he went through. Here we are today to honor him, to remember him and pay it forward because there were so many people that were there for us when he was going through his journey," Crystal Eide said.

For the past six years, the community comes out here to golf and remember Caleb. Crystal and close friends also formed the Caleb Eide Memorial Foundation as a way to give back to other families who have loved ones battling cancer.

This year, funds raised will go to two kids, Bailee and Lillian.

For the people golfing, they’re having a good time. It’s all for Caleb.

"He’s looking down at us, he’s just so happy that we’re doing this. We’re all having fun, we’re all laughing, we’re sharing memories that we all have of him, it’s wonderful," Family friend Deanna Danielson said.

On the gold course, there’s something unique. All of the flags at the golf course are white, but there’s one that’s black.

It’s to remember Caleb all year round. His favorite hole to golf at was hole number six. I’m told he liked the challenge that this hole brought and he always figured out a way to overcome it.

And right next to his favorite hole, is a memorial to honor Caleb.

It reads, "Always make time for those you love and things you enjoy."

And someone even left a golf ball on the memorial as a reminder to do what you love, as Caleb always did.

"Caleb we wish you were here golfing with us and enjoying this day and paying it forward with us instead of in your memory," Crystal Eide said.

Crystal has a heart of gold. She’s giving back to other families, and remembering her son and along the way. He’s looking down from heaven with a smile on his face.

September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.