August 24, 2021

Columbus, Ohio – Tournament Officials announced today the 15^th annual ceremonial first tee shot, named First Shot to Fight Cancer. The shot will mark the beginning of tournament competition for the 2021 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University Golf Club¾Scarlet Course. The First Shot to Fight Cancer ceremony will begin at 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 26, immediately prior to the tournament’s first starting time. Professional tee times for Thursday and Friday start at approximately 7:15 a.m. on tee Nos. 1 and 10.

Hitting theFirst Shot to Fight Cancer at the 2021 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship will be 16-year-old “Patient Champion,” Kinley Strohl of Ashley, Ohio. Kinley’s journey began when she was six years old and came home from school with two bumps on her face that looked like bug bites. The two bumps became four and grew. Kinley underwent several tests, including blood work, and was soon diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Hypodiploid. She immediately began chemotherapy treatment; however, the first phase was ineffective. So, in January of 2012 she underwent a far more aggressive chemo program, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. The treatments were difficult on her body, causing organs to shut down and her airway to swell, requiring Kinley to go on a ventilator in the ICU. She fought through pneumonia and three white blood cell transfusions before she finally began to heal. She spent three months in the hospital.

Kinley will be ten years cancer-free this fall. She still visits Nationwide Children’s from time to time with difficulties left over from her many treatments, but today she is an active, thriving 16-years-old junior at Buckeye Valley High School. She also attends the Delaware Area Career Center studying health technology and nursing. She is a varsity cheerleader and also competes in various cheerleading competitions. 

Kinley has developed a passion for giving back to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other organizations that focus on finding a cure and helping kids. She founded Kinley’s Krafts in 2013 – where she hosts craft drives, car washes and lemonade stands to help raise funds and awareness. 

COURTESY NCHC COMMUNICATIONS