Veteran golf writer Craig Dolch to receive honor at 32nd Golfweek Father & Son Open
Golfweek has announced that Craig Dolch will be honored as the 2014 Father of the Year during this year’s Father & Son Open, which will be played June 13-15 at Streamsong Resort in Streamsong, Fla. Dolch, a 55-year-old father of two, was a sports writer at The Palm Beach Post for 26 years, currently writes a weekly golf column for Scripps and is co-host of The Golf Exchange on ESPN Radio.
In 2005, Dolch had finished covering the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 when he received a phone call that would ultimately change his life. His 14-year-old son, Eric, suddenly was running a high fever and later awoke disoriented and unable to see well. Eric was then hospitalized and doctors diagnosed him with a severe form of encephalitis. After 115 days in a medically induced coma, he finally was able to return home late in the summer of 2006. Nearly eight years later, Eric, now 23, continues to slowly make progress in his recovery, though his long-term prognosis is still unknown.
With great support from golfers and friends in the Palm Beach area, Craig has helped to establish the Eric Dolch Foundation, an organization aimed at trying to help find a cure for encephalitis. The foundation has helped to raise money and awareness to assist in the care of children with encephalitis, and the foundation’s board includes such well-known members of the golf community as Barbara Nicklaus, Nick Price and Dottie Pepper.
“Craig and Eric and the entire Dolch family have been asked to navigate a difficult road for nearly a decade,” said Golfweek Editor Jeff Babineau. “We admire the grace with which Craig has met such a family hardship and salute the determination to make a difference through the Eric Dolch Foundation. Our wish is that this honor will not only recognize Craig’s efforts, but also encourage those who hear Eric’s story to want to help.”
Golfweek will feature a story on Craig and Eric Dolch in its upcoming June 6 issue. With this award, Craig will join a long line of deserving Father of the Year honorees, including Jack Nicklaus, L.B. Floyd, Karsten Solheim and Billy Casper.
To learn more about Golfweek’s Father & Son Open at Streamsong Resort, visit GolfweekEvents.com.
About Golfweek
Founded in 1975, Golfweek is the most authentic, authoritative and independent voice in golf. Serving enthusiasts who are truly passionate about the game of golf, the Golfweek brand includes Golfweek magazine, Golfweek.com, Golfweek OnDemand, Golfweek Mobile, Golfweek Custom Media, The Golf Wire and TurfNet.com. Golfweek is part of Turnstile Media Group, which specializes in developing diverse media platforms that engage and strengthen the communities they serve. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Orlando, Fla., Turnstile Media Group is also the parent of Professional Artist, Community Media Holdings, The Seminole Voice, The Winter Park/Maitland Observer and Turnstile Connect.
