Brantley Register had a special day at Quail Hollow with his dad and younger brother.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte 5th grader got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the PGA Championship on Wednesday.
It’s the kind of day dads dream of: Brian Register and his boys – 11-year-old Brantley and nine-year-old Brendan – spending the day at the PGA Championship. But this was no ordinary day on the golf course.
Brantley Register said, “We got a knock on the door and they said ‘Do you want to come with us to the PGA championship?’”
Atrium Health and PGA teamed up to treat Brantley to a special day because Brantley, an avid golfer, is no ordinary kid.
“Brantley is special because he had a 25% chance of living,” Brian Register shared.
Brantley added, “I had hypoplastic left heart syndrome.”
Brantley Register was born with the rare heart defect and treated at Levine Children’s Hospital. It’s such a rare complication that few doctors across the country even knew how to treat him when he was a newborn. Luckily, doctors in his hometown at Levine Children’s Hospital knew what to do.
“He went through 18 hours’ worth of surgery. I had to make the difficult decision whether to go with palliative care or actually give him a chance at life. It’s tough, emotional,” Brian Register said.
Brantley spent 77 days in the ICU as a newborn, has been through nine surgeries, and now has half a heart. But he’s thriving, and though not allowed to play contact sports, he loves to golf and today got to meet some of the best in the world.
“I got to meet pro golfers I’ve never met before,” the 11-year-old said.
Little brother Brendan, along for all of the fun, clearly looks up to his big brother.
“I’m really proud of him, he’s gone through a lot,” he said.
Their dad knows the family still has challenges ahead.
“We know this road is not over, we’re thankful for the community,” Brian Register said. “At some point, we’re gonna have to go down other paths, and that’s difficult to think about.”
For today, though, the family is focused on the good times, and today was a very good day. In addition to the players, Titleist gave Brantley his very own set of golf clubs.
His dad couldn’t be prouder.
“To see his smile and how excited he is about being out here, it’s awesome to see him out here and be so excited and do all the things he’s gotten to do,” Brian Register said.
Little brother Brendan agreed: “I think he had a great time and he’s having so much fun.”
“My heart defect has not set me back, and I can do anything I want to,” Brantley Register added.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
