Rickie Fowler Explains Black Ribbons At 3M Open

During the 3M Open in Minnesota, fans and players are still coming down from the excitement of The Open the previous week.  Max Homa experienced a rush of excitement and pressure to win as he is about to be a father of two.  However, during the tournament, there was a bit of a more solemn feeling.  Some players were wearing black ribbons with the initials “KH” on them in plain view.  Rickie Fowler has explained that the ribbons were to honor Kayla Hale, the wife of Oddessey representative Cody Hale, who passed recently after a long battle with cancer.

The Hales And Their Pro Golf Relations

Cody Hale, representing an equipment manufacturer, has numerous personal relationships with professional players.  He would often get in touch with players to find them putters that best suit them, a task that can be difficult.  Hale would often start a friendship around golf, sharing tips and the like.  He may have represented a specific putter company, but the players didn’t always land on an Odyssey putter.  The players just liked the company of Cody Hale and would bond over the sport.  Many felt like the Hales were “part of the family,” as Fowler put it.  Although he hasn’t played professionally since 2012, Cody Hale is often right behind the players, offering them help whenever possible.  When Hale’s family is hurting, the players feel like it is their family too.

Rickie Fowler On The Ribbons

The players have a great amount of respect for the Hales.  When they heard that Kayla Hale lost the battle to cancer, they felt like an important part of their lives was gone.  They decided it was appropriate to honor her in some way during the tournament.  They did so by donning the black ribbon.  Rickie Fowler explained in an interview.

“Great guy, and this is,” Fowler said, referring to the ribbon.  “His wife was battling cancer for a while and was in remission, but it popped back up, and she unfortunately passed.  I guess about a week and a half ago now.  So he’s someone that’s… Cody’s part of the family out here, and when you’re part of the family, their family’s part of the family, too.”

Like many who befriended the Hales, Fowler has used an Odyssey putter in the past.  Although he hasn’t used it much, that didn’t change his feelings towards the Hales.  Other players felt the same way, as many sported the ribbon to honor Kayla Hales.

Cody Hales Going Forward

Cody Hale couldn’t make it to the 3M Open this weekend for various reasons.  He has taken time off to focus on his grieving family.  Currently, Hale is spending time with his two kids, who are two and four years old.  Players have also contributed to a GoFundMe for the family, as a way to ease the burden of having lost a loved one.  With players like Rickie Fowler grieving and honoring Kayla with Cody Hale, he won’t need to feel alone in the process.  The players will not forget about the Hales anytime soon.