Golf tournament helps brain tumor patients, families

A charity golf tournament this week raised money and raised the spirits of some very special participants. The 13th Annual J. Smith Lanier and Company Charity Golf Tournament at Chateau Elan on Tuesday helped out the Georgia Chapter of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

The event was well-attended with golfers on all three courses at Chateau Elan. Two groups of golfers likely had the best time -- they were made up of brain tumor survivors, one group of boys and one group of golfers. They hit the course, accompanied by some of their parents as well as a PGA professional to give them tips.

"Really fun to come out here," said 13-year-old Will Wagner from Flowery Branch, who survived a brain tumor. "It's just really fun to be out here to hit some balls with each other and talk."

In past years, the event has raised six-figure sums for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The money goes towards an emergency fund for families of brain tumor patients to help cover unexpected costs.