Rocket Mortgage Classic honors Nick Gilbert, raises money for research

DETROIT — The first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic honoring Nick Gilbert, the late son of Dan and Jennifer Gilbert.

Thursday, the first day of the PGA Tour tournament at Detroit Golf Club, will serve as “Bow Tie Day” to raise money for NF Forward, a foundation dedicated to raising money for research to find a cure for neurofibromatosis, and honor the life of Nick, who died from complications from NF 1 in May.

“Nick brought joy and light to every room he walked in and every person he met. Jennifer and I are grateful that he can continue impacting the world through initiatives like Bow Tie Day at the Rocket Mortgage Classic,” Dan Gilbert, Nick’s father and the founder of Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Companies and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, said in a news release. “We hope that every person walking the grounds at the Detroit Golf Club or watching the Rocket Mortgage Classic at home will be inspired by Nick’s life, and get involved in the fight against NF.”

Nick represented the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2011 NBA draft lottery, where he and his bow tie brought good luck to the team, which landed the first pick in the draft. The Cavaliers dedicated their 2022-23 season Nick and honored him on March 15 with “Cavs Bow Tie Night.”

Fans attending the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic can help the cause by purchasing special bow tie cookies at concession stands on the course with all proceeds being matched by the Gilbert family and going towards NF Forward. The first 10,000 fans Thursday will also receive a special bow tie pin.

The golfers will also be helping the cause. Each caddie bib will have the Rocket Mortgage Classic bow tie image printed on it and Nick Gilbert’s name will be on the back of it, instead of the individual golfers. Players will then sign the bibs to be used by NF Forward to raise money.

“The entire Rocket Mortgage Classic team is honored to recognize the life of Nick Gilbert, who inspired all of us through his courage, strength and relentless optimism,” Jason Langwell, the tournament’s executive director said in the news release. “Bow Tie Day at the Rocket Mortgage Classic will celebrate the life of Nick and raise awareness and funds toward finding a cure for NF. We are grateful to our friends and partners at the PGA Tour for sharing our commitment to this important cause.”