Help support Bob's medical bills and business

Bob Burns, PGA Master Golf Professional, owns and operates Bob Burns Golf Center, Proshop, and Driving Range in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he teaches golf, and makes and sells custom clubs. Bob is dedicated to teaching golf and sharing his passion for the game, donating much of this time over the past 50 years to work with hundreds of disabled golfers, including many disabled veterans. 

Sadly, recent times have been very difficult for Bob and his family. In the past four years, Bob has had a total of fourteen surgeries, as well as a bout with cancer. He has had an artificial sphincter operation and multiple eye surgeries. In addition, he has had a pacemaker inserted and five stents. Besides this, he has had a knee replaced, four arm surgeries, and many others, all of which came at a high financial cost. Most recently, Bob has had a disastrous experience with four hip surgeries on his right leg.

During the first week of February, 2019, Bob had surgery for a new hip. Less than two weeks after the surgery, both the femur and the procanter broke, requiring a second surgery to replace the hip. The second surgery was unsuccessful. To make matters worse, a staph infection was discovered. Hospital treatment ensued to fight the staph infection, with incredible pain, discomfort and swelling. Bob had a pick line installed so that he could have an IV twice a day. The IV treatments lasted for close to eight months.

On May 1st, 2019, Bob was seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, by Dr. Abdel and his team of orthopedic physicians. This was followed by fifteen subsequent trips to Mayo. By July, the hip had come loose and was constantly moving up and down and side to side. The pain was incomprehensible. It was discovered at Mayo that the hip had failed and pulled apart. Bob had emergency surgery in July. The Doctor said he could lose his leg if the staph infection moved to the knee and/or the pacemaker, and he could have died, if he did not have this surgery. The hip was removed and Bob was without a hip for four months while the staph infection was treated with antibiotics. Bob subsequently received a new hip, and is currently wheelchair bound and cannot put any weight whatsoever on his right leg. Bob will have extensive therapy, and it will probably take a year before he will regain enough mobility to operate his golf business as he once did.

Being a self-employed business owner, Bob has lost the ability to earn a living. Bob’s inability to give private lessons, sell custom clubs, and operate the business has resulted in a total loss of revenue. The 2019 season is a complete loss and will have long-lasting effects. Bob continues to be in and out of the hospital at Mayo due to various ongoing complications, while he is still trying to operate his business with the help of his son Robbie. 

To make matters worse, under current COVID-19 restrictions, the business has been mandated to close missing out on much needed spring revenue. 

Bob continues to work in a restricted capacity and keep a positive outlook on life. Please consider helping Bob and his family through this difficult time.  Donations of any size big or small, are appreciated, even $5 can make a difference!