Fundraiser for Jose Avila

Hi, we are fundraising for Jose Avila & his family, of Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Eagle Springs, North Carolina. He is currently fighting significant challenges from cancer -- and associated treatment -- which he was diagnosed with in September. Equally as significant, Jose's family and he fought a Covid-19 outbreak in the same weeks he was diagnosed with cancer.

He has been around my golf course design/construction projects at Mid Pines/Pine Needles/Southern Pines and Pinehurst Golf Resort for the last 10 years. But to us, he is simply Sir Jose Avila! A great man, great family man, great associate, and a great artist! He is beloved at the resorts he has worked at and on our projects. Always loved and respected by all who work with him and know him, revered as the man who is always selfless and there for everyone else. Especially in their time of need -- traveling as far away as Texas and Florida for charity or helping others when they are in need. The man who always seems to be everyone's friend. So, for all his talent, where Jose is most important to us is the man himself!

He is a veteran of the Pinehurst No. 2 restoration by Coore & Crenshaw in 2011 -- where I met him during our work preparing for the 2014 US Opens. As a great asset, two years later we invited him to work on our restoration at Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club in 2013. As lead foreman and a crucial detail artist, without Jose, it would not have been the success it was, going on to win the 2013 Restoration of the Year award in Golf Magazine and featured in various places from Links Magazine to The Golf Channel since. He once again played a key role as a lead foreman in our restoration of Pine Needles for the 2019 Senior Women's Open. This last year he has been working simultaneously on preparations for next year's US Women's Open at Pine Needles and our ongoing restoration at Southern Pines. He also did a stint in 2020 helping on our project at Raleigh Country Club for McConnell Golf. I have always said "there would not be a KMF Golf Course Design without Jose Avila. He is the glue that brings everything together to the finish line."

When he is not at home in Eagle Springs (more commonly known as "The Little Ranchito") he can be found on the Mid Pines/Pine Needles/Southern Pines maintenance staff continually improving our work. Or playing golf someplace nearby. But he is most likely to be found with the family and grandchildren on the Ranchito -- Ana, Vasti, Leslie, & Calem!

After his family battled Covid in October, fortunately, his initial cancer treatment and chemotherapy have been promising thus far! He begins another round of treatments in late November/December.

Naturally, myself and our friends/business associates have been looking to help in such a trying period for Jose and his family, especially given that Covid made it impossible for his family to work while he was battling this significant/sudden health situation. This has caused significant economic strain on Jose and his family, as you can imagine. Your generous donation would help these wonderful people manage this unforeseen economic shock.

And please feel free to reach out to Jose directly -- I'm sure he would love to hear from you! In this month gap in his treatments, he has more of his energy back and is feeling a little better. And would love to chat!

If you'd like to participate in providing a donation, you can do so here!

Kyle Franz

KMF Golf Course Design

Pinehurst, NC