Graham, Wardius, Aigner and Kelly win Diabetes Golf Tournament

Pictured: Johnathan Graham, Clay Wardius, Dustin Aigner and Jeff Kelly

By Bill Sterling

Raelynn Boggs, now 11,  has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was diagnosed four years ago, but she has not lived alone with what was once known as juvenile diabetes. Her parents, Matt and Shannon Boggs, have educated themselves about diabetes and have a family dog, Spy, who can detect when Raelyn’s sugar levels are dropping and alerts the family to the situation. In addition, she uses a monitor that tracks her glucose.

Raelyn has also attended Camp Possibilities in Darlington, Md., the past three years through the aid of scholarships raised with events like the golf tournament held at the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club last week.

“She returns from those camps so much more confident about her diabetes and how to live fully with her condition by using self-care,” said Matt Boggs.

“All the counselors at the camp live with diabetes and there is a doctor for every two campers who work with them on controlling and living with diabetes,” said Shannon. “It really is a life changing experience for Raelyn to be able to attend the camp.”

Corey and Katie Rimel, foundation board members who were on hand at the tournament helping in various ways, know the feeling of hearing the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Their son, Eric, now 26, lives with it.

.“It’s a tough diagnosis for the parents and the child, but it’s manageable, and you can live an active life by paying attention to your body,” said Corey.

Corey said fundraisers like the golf tournament at ESY&CC has raised funds to send 10 Delmarva youth to the diabetes camp this summer. In addition, the Eastern Shore Type 1 Diabetes Support Foundation supports annual scholarships for graduating seniors with diabetes 1. This year, Thomas Eno of Broadwater Academy received a $2,500 scholarship to attend Virginia Tech, where he will major in mechanical engineering.

Winning the tournament was the foursome of Jeff Kelly, Dustin Aigner, Clay Wardius and Johnathan Graham with a 48 that was aided by multiple mulligans and throws but still a sparkling round that was seven strokes better than the second place team of Thomas Health, Lee Robbins, Nick Lewis and Jason Harmon with a 55. Third place went to the foursome of Matt Freeze, Christy Freeze, Mark Freeze and Terry Higbee with a 57.

Clay Wardius had the longest drive, and Steve Binder won closest to the pin.