SALISBURY — For over 20 years, the Campbell family and the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Foundation have worked to honor the memories of John Campbell and his son Jack Campbell through the John A. Campbell Memorial Golf Classic. On the 20th anniversary of Jack’s death, the tournament might mean even more than normal.

This year, John’s son and Jack’s younger brother Will Campbell has taken over as the chairperson of the event, with an eye on refilling the scholarship fund and building back up its attendance.

“It means everything, that’s as simple as I can put it, it means everything. It’s a chance for me to honor my brother and my dad and keep their memory alive. I feel like they both left a legacy that I need to live up to. I also feel a debt of gratitude because everyone in the community helped our family through this, so this is a chance to give back to the community that helped raise me and helped us get through some tough times,” said Will.

The tournament, which is scheduled for May 2 at the County Club of Salisbury, raises money annually for cancer treatment for patients in the area as well as the John A. Campbell Scholarship Fund.

The funding for treatment is earmarked for the Wallace Cancer Institute, Novant’s cancer treatment center, to provide patients with access to care as well as transportation to and from appointments. Will said that some patients can require daily transportation depending on their treatment.

The scholarship fund is open to local high school students who are pursuing a career in healthcare, whether through a two- or four-year program. The foundation is looking to replenish the amount provided through the fund and increase what is given to students.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Jack’s death, who died of cancer at the age of 19, the family set a goal of $100,000 for the WCI. Will reported that they had surpassed that goal and more, with sponsorships and ticket sales combining for over $170,000 as of Thursday.

The foundation was unable to hold the tournament for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Will, but before that the tournament was so well-attended that the foundation had to open a second timeslot some years to allow more teams in.

“This year, we’re using this as kind of a revamp of the event and to bring it back up. Just remind everyone of the good that we’re able to do through this event and keep it going into the future,” said Will.

This year, the tournament is maxing out at 128 players, or 32 teams, with all of the tickets having been sold.

The tournament has been held since being founded by John Campbell himself as the Spring Golf Tournament in 1995. John, who served as the director of the hospital’s foundation, started the tournament in part due to his love of golf, combining work and passion to raise tens of thousands of dollars every year. When John died, the foundation renamed the golf tournament to honor him.

“It’s been incredible support that we’ve gotten from the community, not just signing up to play but from businesses and sponsors. The fact that this tournament carries my father’s name means a great deal to me, so the fact that I am able to carry this on just means everything,” said Will.

More information about the tournament can be found at rowan.supportnovanthealth.org/event/john-a-campbell-memorial-golf-classic/e644975 and a link to the Campbell family’s fundraising efforts can be found at rowan.supportnovanthealth.org/give/644975/#!/donation/checkout.