The Rocket Mortgage Classic returns to Detroit Golf Club for its fifth year June 27-July 2,2023. The Rocket Mortgage Golf Classic will start a little bit different this year. During “Bow Tie Day” at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, each caddy will wear a bib featuring an image of a bow tie on the front while the back of the bib will display the name “Nick Gilbert” in place of each player’s name. Players will sign each bib at the end of their round and the bib will be given to NF Forward to raise funds to advance a cure for neurofibromatosis.
Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder with no present cure that causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. It impacts one in every 2,000 people across all populations throughout the world, including all races, ethnicities and genders. NF tumors can lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disabling pain and cancer.
The ninth and 18th holes will also have a special pin flag that shows only the Rocket Mortgage Classic bow tie. The first 10,000 fans on Thursday June 29th will each receive a special bow tie pin and special bow tie cookies will be available at concession locations throughout the course with all proceeds going to NF Forward.
All funds raised will be matched by the Gilbert Family Foundation. The website is www.Gilbertfamilyfoundation.org. Nick Gilbert died in May at the age of 26 due to complications from NF1. In 2011, Nick represented the Dan Gilbert-owned Cleveland Cavaliers at the NBA Draft Lottery wearing his signature bow tie, beginning a four-year span that saw the team land the No. 1 pick three times. In honor of their perennial good luck charm and his bow tie, the Cavaliers dedicated their entire 2022-2023 season to Nick, and designated March 15th as “Cavs Bow Tie Night.”
The Rocket Mortgage Classic made history in 2019 as the first PGA TOUR event ever held in the city of Detroit and has continued to make a positive and lasting impact on the city and its residents through its multi-year Changing the Course campaign, established in 2020 to end the digital divide in Detroit and ensure digital accessibility for all city residents. The Rocket Mortgage Classic was the most awarded event during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season, being recognized for “Best Special Event” (then known as the AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge) and “Best Tournament Sales” as well as being honored with the first “Fair Way Award” for its diversity and inclusion initiatives. www.RocketMortgageClassic.com
