ERIE – The inaugural Web.com Tour LECOM Health Challenge was an overwhelming success, as crowds flocked to Peek’n Peak Resort’s Upper Course from July 7-10 to watch the future of the PGA TOUR showcase their skills.
LECOM, as the title sponsor for the event, was thrust into both the national and international spotlight as the Golf Channel aired live coverage during all four days of the tournament.
Many individuals from LECOM and LECOM Health partners were at the Upper Course throughout the week promoting health and well-being to all who attended.
“This tournament has given LECOM a terrific opportunity to tell the story of the nation’s largest medical college and to show our commitment to health and well-being for everyone,” said Tom Wedzik, who sits on the LECOM Board of Trustees. “We were able to showcase the innovative and affordable education that LECOM provides our medical, pharmacy and dental students.”
The 2016 LECOM Health Challenge was the first of a four-year partnership with the Web.com PGA TOUR and Peek’n Peak Resort, which will continue to bring professional golf to the region.
LECOM Board of Trustees Chairperson Marlene Mosco presents the LECOM Health Challenge trophy to Rick Lamb with Kevin Sanvidge, Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development; and LECOM Board of Trustee member Tom Wedzik.
On Day 3 of the tournament, students from the College of Medicine were on hand giving free blood pressure screenings to attendees, while staff from the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center gave Functional Movement Screenings.
LECOM also sponsored a Pedometer Challenge to encourage physical activity, which provided spectators with free pedometers with the top step takers winning a prize. Golfer Kyle Scott paced off 17,149 steps as he covered 18 holes on Saturday. The winner of the challenge walked 16,858 steps, which is nearly eight miles.
Proceeds from the LECOM Health Challenge, which was attended by thousands of spectators, are going in part to the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund which will help make education affordable for more students who will be providing health care and bringing wellness to more people.
LECOM is proud to work with Scott Enterprises, who own and operate Peek’n Peak Resort, and the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation in bringing this tournament to Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania.
The tournament ended in thrilling fashion Sunday, when Web.com Tour rookie Rick Lamb claimed the title in a four-way playoff when he, Dominic Bozzelli, Rhein Gibson and C.T. Pan finished tied at 19-under par after 72 holes.
Lamb nearly didn’t take part in the tournament and wasn’t even a blip on the Web.com Tour radar when the week began. He earned one of the 156 spots in the field by shooting a 63 on the Lower Course in the Monday qualifier.
Just a week later, he finds himself at No. 21 on the Web.com Tour Top 25 money list after claiming the $108,000 purse. The top 25 finishers at the end of the regular season will earn their PGA TOUR card.