Like so many fathers and sons, Scott and Aaron Kellett shared a love for the game of golf.

Before Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a typically fatal genetic disorder, confined then 8-year-old Aaron to a wheelchair, he was a golfer just like his dad.

His disease, which Kellett described as “similar to Lou Gehrig’s” or ALS, meant young Aaron could no longer play golf, but he still enjoyed watching and learning about the game and its players. Before he passed away at the age of 17, Aaron and his father had some memorable moments and special encounters with golfers they had admired and watched on television.

During the last few years of Aaron’s life, he and his father traveled to the 3M Championship in their home state of Minnesota. It was here that they got a chance to meet several Champions Tour players, memories that Scott will treasure forever.

The first year the two attended the tournament, they were watching Tom Jenkins on the practice tee when he walked over, shook their hands and thanked them for coming.

The next year, Scott and Aaron followed Bruce Fleisher and were surprised and excited when Fleisher’s caddie came over and handed them a souvenir. The Champions Tour veteran had sent them what became a cherished possession -- an autographed golf ball.

During their last year at the tournament, the pair received another autographed ball, this time courtesy of Dana Quigley. He shook their hands as he waited to tee off on the 17th hole and gave them the ball he had been using that day.

Experiences like these made Kellett look forward to taking his son every year. He is incredibly grateful to the Champions Tour for the way the players and the organization treated he and his son.

“Everyone was so nice to us down there. That was kind of a ‘guy’s day out’ for my son and I,” said Kellett. “We really thought that was extra special, that these guys would take time out to do that.

“I think it’s very well-run, it’s extremely fan-friendly. To me, you looked at these guys and they were just glad to be there.”

While he thinks the PGA TOUR golfers are friendly as well, Kellett said the more relaxed atmosphere on the Champions Tour made the players especially talkative and generous.

Some of the players who met Aaron relished the opportunity to reach out to him, as they do with so many fans.

“We all try to give back to the fans at this time in our lives,” Fleisher said. “We're so fortunate to have the opportunity to play out here -- it's moving that people make the effort to come out and see us.

“It's great when we can have a positive impact by just giving some of our time. I'm glad I could help put a smile on Aaron's face.”

For Kellett, it will be bittersweet to be out there again. He is looking forward to attending the tournament this week and will likely continue to go each year, but will miss taking his son.

This year, Kellett received a special privilege, as he was selected as an honorary observer and will walk the course with Fuzzy Zoeller, Jim Ahern and Dave Stockton during Friday’s round. The opportunity came about after Kellett sent an email to PGATOUR.com expressing his gratitude towards the Champions Tour.

“My 17-year-old son Aaron passed away two months ago. He was in a wheelchair for the last eight years,” began Kellet’s email, which then detailed their meetings with several players.

“I will be attending this year by myself, I wouldn't miss it. These are the things that have endeared the Champions Tour to many of us fans. Thanks for many, many great memories.”

Jenkins, a Tour member who remembers meeting the pair at the tournament, had a chance to read Scott’s email and said he felt for the family struggling with the loss of their son.

“Scott's email brought tears to my eyes. It's wonderful that he feels that way about Champions Tour players and that I could make a positive impact,” he said. “I'm sure many players visited with him and his son over the years at the tournament. Having two sons myself, his story really hit home.”

So this week Kellett will have a chance to meet some of the players he and his son watched and admired over the years. It won’t be the same without Aaron there, but he is looking forward to the opportunity.