Smokies.LIVE Events Center: Sold-out golf tournament honors a little boy’s journey while helping thousands of children receive lifesaving care.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (SMOKIES.LIVE) — What began as one family’s way of saying “thank you” has grown into a community tradition that is changing lives across East Tennessee.

The 2nd annual Wren Classic, held Friday at Gatlinburg Golf Course, brought golfers, businesses and community members together to support Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. The sold-out tournament has raised more than $60,000 this year, with proceeds helping fund critical equipment, specialized programs and expanded patient services.

For Riley Werner, the event is deeply personal.

Her son, Wren, was born prematurely at just 29 weeks and weighed only 3 pounds, 2 ounces. Within days of his birth, doctors discovered a life-threatening condition that required emergency surgery at Children’s Hospital.

“They thought immediately it might be a tracheoesophageal fistula,” Werner said. “He underwent lifesaving surgery when he was just three pounds. His esophagus was the size of a cocktail straw.”

Wren spent 68 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), overcoming an E. coli infection, a brain bleed, kidney complications and the many challenges that come with extreme prematurity.

Today, the energetic 2-year-old is walking, thriving and serving as the inspiration behind a golf tournament that continues to grow each year.

“So many people told us this year, ‘Wren’s walking,'” Werner said. “I hope we can continue showing not only Wren’s growth, but the miracles happening for so many other children.”

The tournament’s impact reaches far beyond one family.

Angie Howell, cause marketing and events manager for Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, said community partnerships like the Wren Classic help the hospital provide care that would not otherwise be possible.

“It helps us fund critical equipment, services and programs that we couldn’t provide otherwise,” Howell said. “Because of partners like this, we’re able to carry out our mission of serving the children of East Tennessee.”

Each year, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and its network of care serves approximately 130,000 children, including patients at the hospital, urgent care centers, primary care offices and specialty clinics throughout the region.

This year’s tournament will support the hospital’s growing gastroenterology program, helping purchase equipment needed as services expand. Previous tournaments have benefited the NICU, where Wren spent the first months of his life.

Werner said the hospital’s impact didn’t end when her son was discharged. Wren continued receiving physical therapy through Children’s outpatient services in Sevierville, and she says many families across Sevier County rely on the hospital’s local clinics and urgent care center.

“Children’s is a place that benefits so many people,” she said. “The people who support this tournament aren’t just sponsors anymore—they’re family.”

As golfers made their way across the course Friday, the tournament served as more than a fundraiser. It became a celebration of hope, healing and gratitude—a reminder that behind every donation is a child, a family and a future.

For the Werner family, every swing, every sponsorship and every dollar raised helps ensure another family facing the uncertainty of a NICU stay has access to the same world-class care that gave Wren a chance to grow up.

And judging by the sold-out field and the growing support from across the community, the Wren Classic’s story is only just beginning.

Formerly known as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, the hospital recently received a new name honoring legendary entertainer and East Tennessee native Dolly Parton, while continuing its mission of providing specialized care for children across the region.