What Happened to Blades Brown’s Father? His Fierce Cancer Battle Revealed

Who is the new 16-year-old kid on the block? In recent days, Miles Russell and Kris Kim have emerged as two prominent junior golfers who have made history in the golf world. Following suit now is Blades Brown from Tennessee. The 16-year-old made the cut at the Myrtle Beach Classic on Friday, and though it was not as historical, he was able to grab something better. Making his father proud!

Blades’s father, Parke Brown, has been his biggest supporter on the greens, and interestingly, he is also the one who steered him to the sport. Much of the junior golfer’s success can be attributed to his father, who, despite struggling with cancer, didn’t stop guiding Brown and inspired him to be a better golfer on and off the course.

Had it not been for Parke, Blades Brown would never have played golf

Blades Brown comes from an athletic background. His mother, Rhonda Blades Brown, was a point guard for Vanderbilt University and used to play in the WNBA. She was even the first player to make a three-pointer in WNBA history. Initially, following in his mother’s footsteps, the youngster began playing basketball in his freshman year of high school. However, as he entered his sophomore year, his father, Parke Brown, insisted that he instead take up golf.

Blades did exactly that, and he found his love for the sport. And now, he’s even gone on to grab the spotlight by becoming one of the youngest to make the cut on the Tour. Even though it’s all sunshine and rainbows now, his journey here has been far from it! In 2022, his father was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, and the doctor gave him only a year to live.

Fast forward a year and a half to today, though, and Parke Brown is more than just around. He’s healthy and kicking, and is extremely illustrious to see his son make it on the PGA Tour. “I’m as big as the ocean out there. I’m so happy, Proud of him,” he said to the press after round 2. His bought with cancer has undoubtedly been more than tough. However, after all the ups and downs, seeing his son shoot a 4 under 67 on Friday at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club to tie for 48 and make the cut at the Myrtle Beach Classic has been thrilling.

Even though it was a hard battle for Parke to lift himself up after the rounds of chemotherapy and cheer for his son, he did so without a single complaint. This strength has even inspired Blades to be a better golfer and make his family proud!

Blades uses his father’s journey as “fuel”

In December 2022, Parke and his son were not sure if he would be alive by 2024 or if he would witness his son play on the PGA Tour. After all, the doctors were skeptical, as were the Brown family. But the old man had faith. “Lord, give me some more time,” he had prayed back then, so that he’d be able to be there for his son even through sickness. His pleas were clearly answered.

Parke’s fight to stick around and help guide Blades inspired the youngster to play even better. In the interview post-round, the 16-year-old opened up about how seeing his father’s cancer battle had boosted his performance on the course. “I just use it as fuel. Having him here is just awesome. Like he could not be here right now; that’s crazy to think about.”

Recalling the time when he qualified for the U.S. Amateur and eventually broke Bobby Jones’ record as the youngest medalist in U.S. Amateur history, Blades stated that Parke was on cloud nine, despite his diagnosis and condition. “I remember when I qualified, he posted. My son is going to the U.S. Amateur! What dad can say that after thinking that they were going to die?”

Parke’s constant support is undoubtedly pure motivation for Blades Brown. And the 16-year-old will no doubt use it to try and play even better at the remaining two rounds of the Myrtle Beach Classic this week.