Why We Play

Since 2011, the Michael Bratton Memorial Golf Tournament has been about more than golf. It is about remembering Michael, honoring his life, and turning our loss into hope for others.

Michael was an avid golfer. He loved the game, the competition, the camaraderie, and most of all being with those he cared about. His life was cut far too short when he lost his battle with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) in his early 50s.

After losing both Michael and Patsy to FTD, my mother, Jeff Bratton, and I founded the Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Association (FTLDA), a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising awareness, supporting families, and funding research.

It is difficult to put into words what it feels like to watch someone you love slowly disappear while they are still standing in front of you. You remember who they were, you know who they should still be, and yet this cruel disease continues to take more and more away.

For years, FTD remained a disease almost no one had heard of. It wasn't until Bruce Willis and his
family courageously shared his diagnosis that millions of people began hearing the words Frontotemporal Dementia for the first time.

This tournament has helped turn hope into progress. Funds from the last tournament contributed to the development of a groundbreaking chemical tracer that allows researchers and physicians to see tau protein buildup in the brain—an important step toward better understanding and diagnosing FTD and related disorders. (Quote by Dr. Paul Schulz)

We are proud to support two leading neurologists and researchers, Dr. Paul Schulz of UTHealth Houston and Dr. John Bertelson of UTHealth Austin. Their teams are working tirelessly to advance research and bring hope to families facing dementia. 100% of the net proceeds from this tournament go directly to their teams.

Terri Bratton, Founder and Volunteer
FTLDA – WWW.FTLDA.ORG