Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven pays homage to family patriarch
SUMMIT TWP — Tucker Reddick was a people person — and an avid hunter.
Even after he died following a battle with cancer five years ago, both of those traits are thriving more than ever. They live on through the annual Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven, a golf outing held each May at Hiland Golf Course to raise money for Camo Cares.
Based out of Knox, Camo Cares is a charitable organization that raises money to send wounded veterans and/or terminally ill children on their dream hunting trips. An archery shoot at Fryburg Sportsman’s Club on June 21 is Camo Cares’ primary fundraiser.
“That is a huge event with raffles and other things as part of it,” said Angie Geibel, one of Reddick’s daughters. “Camo Cares sends its beneficiaries on hunting trips all over the country.
“My dad would have loved that. We are happy to donate whatever we raise to them.”
Reddick died a few months after he was diagnosed. The original Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven was designed to help with his medical costs.
The group of roughly 50 people, known as Herman’s Hunters, decided to continue the golf event on an annual basis to honor his legacy.
“Tucker related to everybody, whether you were 5 or 55,” his wife, Peggy, said. “He just loved people. This is an emotional event for me because so many things come together to make it happen.
“We’ve got so many hole sponsors and volunteers who help make this event what it is. Tucker is the source of all of it. He touched everyone he knew.”
While last year’s golf outing raised roughly $22,000 for Camo Cares, Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven has raised well over $60,000 in its brief history. The event has had a full field of 144 golfers every year, with much of the field coming back year after year.
“There’s a waiting list,” Geibel said of the playing field. “It’s all people that dad knew. His personality created a family beyond our own family.”
While prize money goes out to the top three teams, Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven is not considered a highly competitive event.
“There are some good golfers here, sure, but a lot of the people on the course don’t golf very often and may not be very good,” Reddick said. “They’re here because they care.”
Besides the golf outing, Herman’s Hunters has put together gun raffles, casino nights, cornhole tournaments and other events to raise additional money. Those events attract anywhere from 30 to 60 people.
“They are fun nights for everybody involved, and the money is for a good cause,” Geibel said.
Reddick family members came in from as far away as Idaho and Montana for the golf outing. Tucker’s sisters, Michele, Patty and Carole, were among those helping out on the course.
“I still can’t believe he’s gone,” Carole said of her brother. “He was 58. I still miss him. I help out here every year because this golf outing, the success of it, is a testament to him.”
Tucker was one of 12 children in his family. He had three brothers and eight sisters.
“Just a great guy. I called him my fun brother,” Patty said. “He was always a kindhearted guy. Being around him … He was a good time.”
Herman’s Hunters, Aiden’s Army, Hidden Helpers out of West Sunbury are a few charitable groups that take part in Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven. Many of them join other groups in making the grip to Fryburg for the annual Camo Cares event.
Camo Cares was founded in 2010 and raised $20,000 in its first year. By 2012, it raised $90,000 for wounded veteran hunts. By 2022, it arranged more than 50 hunting excursions and has raised more than $1.48 million in its history.
“This is what happens when people come together,” Peggy Reddick said. “This whole thing is amazing. Everybody supports everybody. For Tucker’s name to be a part of it is something I’m sure he’s very proud of.”
Hiland Golf Course owner Sarah Zediker said, “We are honored to have this event here. We donate back, try to contribute. Tucker golfed here. Everybody knew him.
“He was a great man from a great family.”
