The Journey

My dad, Wesley Dunn, 77, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in January 2007. He underwent a risky and highly invasive surgery called the Whipple Procedure (after the late Dr. Allen Whipple.) Thanks to the support, dedication and research of those who have battled pancreatic cancer in the past the Whipple is safer than ever before and can add years to a patient's life. But it is not a cure and only 4% of those who are diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer survive five years. Having watched my dad battle this disease for almost two years, it is hard to believe he is one of the lucky ones, but the average life expectancy for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is only 6 to 9 months.

I can't imagine what its like to lose a parent or a loved one that quickly and am very grateful for the extra time our family has had together. Obviously those close to a person battling disease feel an overwhelming sense of powerlessness and we each try to cope and offer support in our own ways. This journey is my way of coping. It is a way for me to honor my father, do my small part to help fund pancreatic cancer research and hopefully make a few people smile along the way.

Ultimately Golf My Way Home is a celebration of life and if there is one lesson I've learned from hitchhiking across the country its that despite all of our apparent differences there is much more that unites us than divides us and we really can count on each other. It is true that I am an optimist and a dreamer so maybe I made it all the way across the continent - 125 rides and 6211 miles - on a wing and a prayer. But maybe there's a lesson in that too... the power of believing something is possible.

The journey itself is complete, but the project is just beginning. This website will continue to grow and remain a living document that hopefully succeeds in capturing some of the essence of what has been both a life changing and life affirming experience. In the spirit of the golf theme, the Videos and Writing  are divided into 18 chapters that more or less chronologically follow the journey. The Caddie Yard is dedicated to those who literally "carried my bag" (picked me up) and includes individual descriptions of all of my rides as well as emails, pictures and stories from some of the very special ones.

As you can imagine, I spent MANY hours sitting by the side of the road and rather than let all that time go to waste, I decided about halfway across the continent to start running the camera while I waited. So if you want to know what its really like to hitchhike check out The Roadside Cafe.

I broke the trip down into a series of Maps so you can follow my exact route and I am in the process of writing reviews of each of the 37 Courses I played. I am also giving out Awards to the best golf course, coolest town, most interesting ride, most generous person, etc. And most importantly, if you would like to become a member and Donate to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research in my father's name, your name will be listed in the Golf My Way Home Membership with the amount of your donation. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Thank you to all of you who have supported this project and welcome to those visiting for the first time. I hope you all continue to enjoy following  Golf My Way Home - John