At Hidden Lakes Golf Club in New Smyrna Beach, the day starts early. Golfers check in, grab breakfast, and get ready for a shotgun start. It feels like any great tournament morning, except everyone is there for a deeper reason: Heath.
For the Ian and Lisa Hoffman, Hole Out Fore Heath started as a way to honor their son and give people an enjoyable way to support Angelman syndrome research through FAST. And in just a few years, it’s become a tradition that keeps growing.
Heath’s Heroes
Around this tournament, you’ll see the name Heath’s Heroes. It’s the Hoffmans’ circle of support: the golfers who tee off, the friends and family who spread the word, the local businesses who donate items, and the sponsors who help the day run smoothly. Most of all, it’s a community that keeps showing up, and that consistency is what turns one day on the course into real research progress year after year.
More Than a Scorecard
For Heath’s family, golf was never just a fun hobby. Ian is a lifelong golfer and works as a golf professional at the course where the tournament is hosted. From the beginning, he wanted to build something that felt both personal and practical, an event that brings people together and raises meaningful support for the research that FAST funds.
And what makes the day special is how joyful it feels. It’s friendly competition, laughter between foursomes, and the kind of community energy you can’t manufacture. People have fun, they come back, and the purpose stays clear from the first tee shot to the last raffle ticket.
This year’s tournament raised $24,000 to support FAST-funded Angelman syndrome research. It was the Hoffmans’ third year hosting the event, bringing their cumulative total raised to over $70,000!
The family described this year as humbling, seeing how many people came out to support their son and their hope for a better future for everyone living with Angelman syndrome. It was also rewarding to see the tournament have another strong year, and to watch golfers genuinely enjoy the day while knowing it was moving research forward.
Want help brainstorming your own fundraiser?
The Hoffmans’ advice is simple and encouraging:
“Put your mind to it and you can do it, big or small. When communities come together, we make an impact.”
And they’re right. The “best” fundraiser is the one you can actually sustain, the one that fits your life, your community, and what you can realistically take on.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “We could do something… I just don’t know what,” FAST can help you turn that into a plan.
Reach out to Krista Nanigian to brainstorm fundraiser ideas that fit your family, your community, and your capacity.