We are friends of Jimmy Buell, who has been our golf instructor and friend for over 7 years. We are raising funds to help Jimmy cover the costs and lost income from a delicate and difficult open heart surgery he will have on August 16, 2024.

Jimmy Buell is a valued, long time golf teaching professional at the Mirasol Country Club and an active member of the South Florida PGA. He has 2 sons, one in college and the other in high school.

In early June, Jimmy had an echocardiogram. The normally routine procedure showed a half-inch sized tumor in his heart’s left ventricle. Although cardiac tumors are not unheard of, they are rare and the location of this tumor within the heart makes it especially tricky to treat. Jimmy and his Doctor have consulted with several specialists and he’s undergone numerous scans and tests prior to open heart surgery. The surgery will take place on Friday, August 16th at the University of Florida.

Following the surgery, Jimmy will be hospitalized for 7-10 days during the intial recovery period. Once released from the hospital, he will need approximately 3 months, perhaps as much as 6 months, of healing and rehabilitation before he can return to a normal work schedule. Already, Jimmy has missed a substantial amount of work and has spent over $10,000 for out of pocket medical expenses. Insurance will cover some of the costs of the surgery, but there will be ancillary costs from the surgeon, the hospital, the anesthesiologist and others that for one reason or another will not be covered. Most importantly, Jimmy will be unable to work for several months following the surgery and will unfortunately have zero income to cover the usual things like rent, food, utilities, insurance premiums, transportation to and from doctors, college tuition for his oldest son, etc. As we all know, these add up quickly.

The doctors will take care of the tumor and guide Jimmy’s recovery. Thoughts and prayers will provide emotional support. But the bills won’t get paid by doctors, thoughts or prayers. That’s where we come in. We are asking you to contribute whatever you can to help Jimmy cover these expenses while he undergoes this difficult surgery and recovery period. Jimmy has been an integral member of the Mirasol golf staff for 15 years and an active participant in the South Florida PGA. He is one of the nicest and most helpful teaching professionals out there. Many of you have benefitted from his golfing knowledge, teaching skills and good humor in your journeys to become better golfers. Others know him as the most loyal and caring of friends. For those of you who don’t know Jimmy, or have never worked with him, just know that he is a beloved part of the Mirasol family and the South Florida golfing community, and one of the people who makes both such great places to live. Please help him beat this tumor and return to his kids, Mirasol and golf as soon as possible.