The late Travis Knolhoff with his wife Kourtney, and daughters Averie, Sadie and Hollie. Two years after Travis Knolhoff passed away from pancreatic cancer, his family is still making sure his memory continues to make a difference — through their annual golf tournament and memorial foundation.
Last month, the Knolhoff family held their third annual Travis Knolhoff Memorial Golf Tournament at Governors Run Golf Course in Carlyle.
The tournament brought in 236 golfers, 18 tournament event level sponsors, 18 gold hole level sponsors, and many silver and individual level sponsors.
For the Knolhoff family, the tournament represents far more than a day on the golf course — it was an opportunity to turn their personal loss into hope for others.
Travis, a Breese native and a 2008 graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School, was 33 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Travis continued fighting the disease for approximately a year, receiving treatment through Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Travis died July 6, 2024, at the age of 34, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Kourtney (Nelson), three young daughters, Averie, Hollie and Sadie, mother and father Brenda and Stewart Knolhoff, a brother Brad (Erika) and sister Kelsey (John) Hemann, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Travis Knolhoff Memorial Golf Tournament runs every September, celebrating and honoring the late Travis Knolhoff. Proceeds from the tournament go toward various organizations. Throughout his battle, Travis and his family experienced an outpouring of love and support from family and friends, as well as other community members and organizations.
That generosity left a lasting impression with the Knolhoff family as they looked for ways to give back while keeping Travis' memory alive.
The family hosted an inaugural golf tournament in Travis' memory in September 2024, donating over $25,000 toward local organizations.
The desire to make an even greater impact eventually led to the establishment of the Travis Knolhoff Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization.
The Travis Knolhoff Memorial Foundation carries forward Travis' legacy by helping individuals and families facing cancer and supporting pancreatic cancer research, with the hope that future generations will have better treatment options and, ultimately, earlier detection of the disease.
In September 2025, the Knolhoff family held a second golf tournament, which was just as successful as the first tournament
A memorial table honoring the late Travis Knolhoff at the annual golf tournament. This year's third annual golf tournament was held on Sept. 26.
The golf tournament has always centered at or around Travis' birthday (Sept. 27). Travis would have turned 37 this year.
In a message shared following the tournament, the foundation expressed its gratitude for everyone who helped make the event possible.
"We are incredibly grateful for every person who gave their time to help make the day run so smoothly," the foundation stated online. "But what made the day truly special was seeing so many people come together, have a great time, and support a cause that means so much to our foundation. Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and feeling the love and support throughout the entire day is something we will never forget."
Each sponsor, golfer and volunteer played a role in allowing the foundation to continue its mission.
"For our foundation, this tournament is about more than raising money. It is about keeping Travis' memory alive, sharing his story, and turning the tremendous love and support shown to us into something that can help others," the family shared.
The importance of pancreatic cancer research is especially personal to the Knolhoff family.
During Travis' treatment, doctors discovered that he carried a genetic mutation associated with an increased susceptibility to pancreatic cancer. It was reported that Travis' father, Stewart, also carried the same mutation.
The discovery prompted additional screening within the family and reinforced the importance of early detection.
Although the Knolhoff family cannot change what happened to Travis, they hope that supporting research and helping others navigate a cancer diagnosis will create something positive and help others.
And with each passing year, the annual tournament continues to demonstrate just how many lives Travis touched.
His memory lives on through his wife and daughters, his parents, his extended family, and the friends and community members who continue to rally behind the foundation.
What began with one family's loss has become a community united by a common purpose: helping others, supporting research and ensuring Travis' legacy continues to make a difference.
Save the date for next year's golf tournament, slated late September 2027.
