Back Nine Golf hosts packaging event for Duke Children's Hospital

Back Nine Golf in North Raleigh hosted a community packaging event on Sept. 18, 2026, to honor member Greg Williams’s late daughter, Jillian-Rey, and support pediatric patients at Duke Children's Hospital. The event also helped build momentum for the Jillian's Rey Memorial Golf Tournament held the next day.

Why it matters: - The event turned a local golf club into a community fundraising and volunteer hub for pediatric cancer support. - The packaging effort sent comfort-focused supplies to children receiving care at Duke Children's Hospital. - The gathering also strengthened support for the Jillian's Rey Foundation and its memorial tournament.

What happened: - Back Nine Golf hosted and sponsored a community packaging event on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in North Raleigh. - The event honored Greg Williams’s late daughter, Jillian-Rey. - Friends and family assembled 150 Playtime Therapy Bed Sheets and distraction items for pediatric patients at Duke Children's Hospital. - Back Nine Golf also sponsored a hole at the Jillian's Rey Memorial Golf Tournament the following day.

The details: - The Playtime Therapy Bed Sheets are designed to turn hospital beds into spaces for play, learning, and healing. - The packaging initiative was done with the Playtime Therapy Sheets Foundation and the Jillian's Rey Foundation. - The Jillian's Rey Foundation was created to honor Jillian-Rey’s memory and support pediatric cancer patients and their families. - During the event, guests took part in a closest-to-the-pin contest on the 19th hole at Payne's Valley using Back Nine Golf's Full Swing simulators. - Back Nine Golf is an indoor golf club in North Raleigh with four Full Swing golf simulators, including one in the Oak Room. - The club is open 24/7 to members. - Back Nine Golf offers leagues and tournaments for members. - The club hosted kids' and women's golf clinics during the summer and plans more clinics and lessons.

Between the lines: - The event tied a recreational business to a personal cause, which can help broaden community participation and donor interest. - The memorial tournament extends the effort beyond one night of volunteering and keeps attention on pediatric cancer support. - Joseph Gendy, owner of Back Nine Golf, said Greg Williams shared Jillian's story around Father's Day and that Back Nine was honored to help in the fight against children's cancer.

What's next: - The Jillian's Rey Memorial Golf Tournament serves as the next major event connected to the fundraiser and remembrance effort. - The Jillian's Rey Foundation will continue supporting pediatric cancer research, patient comfort programs at Duke Children's Hospital, and community events that bring together families, advocates, and sponsors. - Back Nine Golf said more clinics and lessons are planned for the future.

The bottom line: - Back Nine Golf used a local golf event to support a family-led mission for pediatric cancer patients while building momentum for the memorial tournament.