25 Years of Legacy: The ALS–Mark Sheets Memorial Tournament

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Mark Sheets Memorial, a heartfelt annual fundraiser that has become a tradition of love, remembrance, and community in Northern Colorado.

The story begins with Mark Sheets, a beloved Greeley resident whose passion for golf was matched only by his devotion to family and friends. In 2000, during a tournament, Mark first noticed he was having trouble gripping his golf club. Soon after, he received the devastating diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). His condition progressed quickly, but even as his health declined, his love for golf and his community never wavered.

Determined to help, Mark’s brother and sister-in-law, Kip and Michelle Sheets, organized a benefit golf tournament to support Mark’s medical expenses and raise awareness about ALS. What started as a gesture of care in 2000 became the beginning of something much bigger: the ALS–Mark Sheets Memorial Tournament.

Over the years, the tournament has grown into a powerful source of support for families battling ALS. Proceeds benefit ALS United Rocky Mountain, which provides critical services, advocacy and research funding. Local recipients have included Wynn Vandenberg of Greeley, Janice Drovedahl of Northern Colorado, Sandra Jack of Greeley, Scott Jones of Greeley, Tony Justice of Loveland, and Larry Roth of Greeley—along with many others who, sadly, shared the same difficult journey.

For much of its history, the tournament was held at Pelican Lakes Golf Course in Windsor, Colorado, but today it has found its home at the Greeley Country Club. To keep the atmosphere warm and connected, the tournament is capped at just 36 teams. This intimate size has created not just a competition but a community where stories are shared, friendships are strengthened, and Mark’s spirit lives on.

Each year, participants travel from across the country to honor Mark and support the cause. One of Mark’s closest friends, Todd Bates, has never missed the event. He even named his son after Mark and devotes his vacation time to returning to Colorado, a tradition that embodies the deep loyalty and love surrounding the tournament.

The Memorial’s impact has also extended beyond the green. During the rise of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which swept across the world and brought unprecedented attention to ALS, the tournament’s visibility and influence grew even stronger. It became part of a larger movement to fight ALS, amplifying its mission of awareness, care, and hope.

Now, as the tournament celebrates 25 years, it stands as more than just a golf outing. It is a legacy, born from Mark’s courage, carried on by Kip and Michelle’s determination, and strengthened by every participant, donor, and supporter who believes in a future without ALS.

The ALS–Mark Sheets Memorial Tournament reminds us that while ALS may take much, it cannot diminish the power of love, friendship, and community. For 25 years, on the greens of Northern Colorado, that power has only grown stronger.