photo by: LMH Health

LMH Health, 325 Maine St., is pictured in May 2021.

Every Friday after Labor Day for the past 40 years, golfers and volunteers have come together in support of LMH Health.

The Penny Jones Open Golf Tournament has a rich history in Douglas County. Since 1982, the tournament has brought the community together in support of the county’s nonprofit safety-net hospital. Tournament proceeds benefit patients and support programs at LMH Health, including new technology.

The legacy of Penny Jones

The tournament began in 1982 in honor of Dr. H. Penfield “Penny” Jones, a surgeon and member of Lawrence’s medical community for more than 60 years. Penny was born in Lawrence in 1906 and graduated from Lawrence High School.

While attending the University of Kansas, Dr. Jones played basketball under coach Forrest “Phog” Allen. He earned his medical degree at Rosedale (now the University of Kansas School of Medicine) and completed graduate study at Harvard Medical School.

Jones returned to Lawrence in 1933 and joined his father, H.T. Jones, in his practice. Before he retired at age 80, he served as chief of medical staff at LMH Health and president of the Douglas County Medical society and the State Board of Health.

Dr. Steve Myrick, now a retired surgeon, was recruited to join LMH Health by Jones in the early 1980s and has been involved with the tournament since its inception.

“The tournament has been a great fundraiser for the hospital and well-attended because Penny was known and loved by so many people,” Myrick said. “He helped found a great group of surgeons at LMH Health who have taken good care of our patients all these years.”

Each year, Myrick kicks off the morning and afternoon tournament flights with a shotgun start using Penny’s own Browning shotgun — a gift to Myrick before Penny died.

“He was a very benevolent guy,” Myrick said. “He was well-loved in Lawrence and just a really unique person.”

Myrick said he’s proud of the impact that the tournament has had on the community and the hospital.

“There are a lot of golf tournaments you can play in around here, but this one sells out fast,” Myrick said. “People want to come to this special event at a special golf course.”

Community partnerships

Commerce Bank has been the main sponsor of the Penny Jones Open Golf Tournament for over 30 years. Mark Heider, former president of Commerce Bank in Lawrence, said it has been gratifying to see the community come together to raise funds for LMH Health, its staff and its departments.

“Health care is important to everyone,” Heider said. “I can’t think of a better way to make a difference for our community than to support LMH Health as it grows and improves services for all people in the Lawrence area while still maintaining its community roots.”

Rob Gillespie, current president of Commerce Bank in Lawrence, said he was pleased to continue the bank’s legacy of supporting the local tournament.

“The strength of our local hospital is a key component to a strong and vibrant Lawrence,” Gillespie said. “We are honored to play a role in strengthening LMH Health for our customers, team members and the Lawrence community”

Funds from the tournament have enabled many projects at LMH Health over the years, including:

• Supporting the new LMH Health Cancer Center expansion and renovation.

• Growing endowed funds for areas like mother/baby, therapy services, behavioral health, palliative care and pediatrics.

• Funding advanced technology, including a new cath lab, MAKO surgical robots and a new da Vinci surgical system.

• Funding a new system that tracks all surgical instruments and ensures sharpness and sterilization.

This year’s Penny Jones Open Golf Tournament will be on Friday, Sept. 8, at Lawrence Country Club. For more information, visit LMH.org/PennyJones.

— Courtney Bernard is a development coordinator for the LMH Health Foundation. LMH Health is a major sponsor of the Journal-World’s Health section.