Recapping the Spikes and Spurs Invitational

September 16, 2020

This past weekend I was honored to be a part of the annual Spikes and Spurs Invitational held here in Canadian. For those who are not familiar with S & S the format is a team roping of five head in the morning and a 9 hole golf scramble in the afternoon with the same partner.  Spikes and Spurs was started back in 2011 by Ronny Vandever and was transformed to a benefit event in 2014. This year 26 contestants and a whole host of volunteers raised just over $10,000.00!

This year’s recipient was McKaylee Swift, 24 of Mobeetie.  She was born with Spina bifida and only a single polycystic kidney.  The kidney filled with stones resulting in removal.  She was in the hospital from January until the end of July for the removal and dialysis until it was determined adult equipment could be used for her dialysis and she was finally able to come home.  She has to have dialysis three times a week at present and they are working to get her on the transplant list.  She has always had a good outlook on life even though it has been rough and smiles continuously!

Also honored was Keller McNeely, 3 1/2 year old son of Matt McNeely (One of our S & S members).  Keller has had surgery and chemo for Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis that was diagnosed in July of 2019.  Langerhans cells are a type of white blood cell that normally help the body fight infection but in LCH, too many cells are produced and build up in certain parts of the body where they can form tumors.  In Keller’s case, the tumor showed up on the back of his head and went through a piece of the skull resulting in a gap in his skull that also had to be repaired.  Spikes and Spurs presented Keller with an Honorary Spikes and Spurs buckle.

I have always been proud to be associated with S & S , but never as much as I am in 2020! We all have felt the effects of this year and not in a good way. In the middle of an economic collapse, civil unrest, and a 100 year pandemic….people of the Panhandle can still come together to help those less fortunate. As your State Representative, I have had the honor of visiting every corner of our great state. I alway hear comments like “why would anyone live up there”? My standard reply is that we like having four seasons in a week! In all seriousness, it’s the people. I have been truly blessed to live and raise my family among the best people anywhere! Events like the Spikes and Spurs make me extremely proud of our ZIP code!

I would like to specifically thank the Canadian Rodeo Association, the Canadian Golf Course, and Darrel Narron, for providing the venues for our event! As well as a big thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors—we couldn’t do this without you!

Sincerely,

Ken King

State Representative HD 88

Privacy Policies