When picking her first golf club up at 6-years-old, junior So nam Konanahalli did not know the impact the sport would have on her and the lives of many others. During her freshman year, Konanahalli started a golf fundraiser, Swings for a Cause, dedicating the money earned each year to a different organization that means something to her.

Konanahalli hosts an annual, day-long golf scramble tournament from which profits are donated to the foundation of her choice. In her first year of the fundraiser, she raised $1835, and donated it to Chicago HOPES for Kids, an organization that aids homeless children through education, Konanahalli said.

“[Swings for a Cause] started with me finding out about Chicago HOPES for Kids and [wanting] to donate to them,” Konanahalli said. “I talked to my parents, and we came [up] with the idea of combining two things I care about: golf and [fundraising].”

Anyone, golf novice to golf pro, is able to sign up for Konanahalli’s golf scramble tournament, she said. The tournament, which begins with a base $150 entrance fee, includes optional competitions within,Konanahallli added. The extra competitions add a fun aspect to the all-day game, including a longest drive and farthest swing competition, she explained. She also includes a paid an additonal $20 hole in one competition whose profits all go to the foundation chosen, Konanahalli said.

Konanahalli’s parents played a large role in helping her organize the first fundraiser, but have since stepped aside, Sonam’s father, Raj Konanahalli, said.

“In the first year, [the goal] was to help with the logistics of planning a fundraiser, given she had never done this before,” Raj said. “Since then, we have largely been cheering from the sidelines and have been really proud of her leadership.”

In her second year of Swings for a Cause, Sonam donated her proceeds of $2580 to the Gastric Cancer Foundation, which aims to help those living with stomach cancer, Sonam said. She chose the foundation to honor her grandmother, Raj said. With a personal connection to organizations she contributes to, Sonam dedication is unwavering; every year, she sets her goals higher and higher.

“This was very special, given my mom passed away from gastric cancer,” Raj said. “[Sonam] wanted to contribute to a cause that works with leading researchers to find a cure and dedicated to improving the lives of people affected.”

Although the impacts of Swings for a Cause go far beyond Sonam’s own life, she believes it has had many positive effects on her personal life as well, including self-esteem and the importance of hard-work.

“Golf was always a sport I liked, but through [Swings for a Cause] it can be more than a sport to play for fun,” Sonam said. “[Now] I can help people and support [important] causes.”