CSA Air will host the 2026 Purple Tee Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 18, at TimberStone Golf Course in Iron Mountain, with a shotgun start at noon.

The second-annual fundraiser is now part of the company’s unified Purple fundraising brand, joining The Purple Dash and The Purple Eagle in support of the hospital’s lifesaving mission.

“We are excited about the momentum behind this year’s event and the addition of our first legacy partner,” said Candice Faust, CSA Air Inc. senior manager of operations, talent acquisitions/community relations, adding that Superior Title has committed to three-year partnership with The Purple Tee.

Registration fee for a four-person team is $600. All of the proceeds will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Sam and Triston Behrend, founders of the T-Time for St. Jude event that now is becoming the Purple Tee Golf Tournament for the Children of St. Jude. (Contributed photo)

“Last year, the fundraiser raised $10,000 for St. Jude. We are hoping to double that amount this year,” she said.

Once again, event coordinators have planned several course games with prizes for a full afternoon of fun.

Top prize is a Detroit Lions ticket package that includes four club seats, a VIP parking and four pregame sideline passes to a 2026 season game, donated by the Ford Motor Co., along with some high-end golf shirt vouchers for members on the winning team.

They are still accepting teams; however, space is limited. “We encourage anyone interested to register as soon as possible,” Faust said. “Many of last year’s teams are returning and bringing in more teams.”

She noted that golfers will receive a complimentary lunch with registration.

“We’re very excited to host the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital outing for the second year in a row,” said TimberStone Golf Operations Manager Michaela Sweig. “This is such a great cause, and I only see this tournament getting bigger and better each year. Candice and her team have outstanding ideas planned, and whether you are an infrequent golfer or a great golfer, you are guaranteed to have an amazing time at this tournament.”

New to this year’s event are the beverage carts sponsored by Kenneth James Salon and Kim Harder Webb and Kelly Challancin Leeds Real Estate.

“This is another great addition,” Faust said.

The tournament’s roots trace back to 2017, when Tristen Behrend, who has family ties to the area, combined his passion for golf with a desire to help others by creating a charity golf outing as part of a school project. He chose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as his charity, because his great-grandmother was a major supporter for many years.

When Tristen left for college, his brother, Sam Behrend, assumed leadership of the event.

The tournament continued for seven years at Wild Pines Golf Course in Hermansville, raising more than $30,000 for St. Jude during that time.

In 2024, the Behrend family announced the T-Time tournament would come to an end as Sam also prepared to leave for college. However, the event found new life through CSA Air, a longtime sponsor of the fundraiser.

CSA Air General Manager and Director of Operations Todd Silverstone participated in the final Behrend-organized tournament and helped ensure its mission would continue.

“We shared the same passion as the boys do for St. Jude and we are committed to continuing their cause and hope to grow it for years to come,” Faust said, noting they hope that both Tristen and Sam will be in attendance at this year’s event.

The connection between CSA Air and St. Jude extends beyond the annual golf outing. CSA Air, a regional cargo airline that operates aircraft exclusively for FedEx, has been involved in programs that recognize children treated at the hospital.

Since 2012, FedEx has honored St. Jude patients by naming a Cessna Caravan aircraft after the child of a FedEx team member and recognizing that child during the Purple Eagle event. CSA Air has twice been selected as a sponsor for the program.

No one receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is committed to advancing research that helps make lifesaving cures possible for children, Faust noted.

Hospital founder Danny Thomas said: “No child should die in the dawn of their life.”

Faust said sponsorships or monetary donations still can be made directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Your support is helping make this event possible,” she added. “Every contribution makes a difference.”

Organizers are grateful for the commitment and support for all the businesses partnering with The Purple Tee 2026. In addition to Superior Title, sponsors to date are Air T Inc., Mountain Air Cargo, Worldwide Aircraft Services, Royal Aircraft Services, BP Capital, Town & Country Ford (hole-in-one sponsor), Kenneth James Salon, Kim Harder Webb and Kelly Challancin Leeds Real Estate, Aero Performance, The Daily News, Superior Welding, Wendricks Truss Inc., U.P. Truck Center, Real Estate Reset LLC and John & Shirley Zappala.

“It’s exciting to see our community come together in support of such a meaningful cause,” Faust said. “Together, we’re turning hope into action.”

Anyone interested in registering a team, becoming a sponsor or to make a donation can call the CSA Air office at 906-774-3101, email purpletee@csaair.com or go to the website at www.csaair.com.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.