PGA TOUR charity blog: News, updates, etc.
The number of charities that receive benefits from PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour events is estimated at over 2,000 -- which in turn, touches millions of lives. By serving the needs of the community, our tournaments support an array of organizations. Check back often on this blog for the latest news and updates on our charities.
GROUND BROKEN FOR THE PLAYERS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB (posted Nov. 19, 2009)
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The days of kids trying to cram into a 900-square foot structure to enjoy the benefits of the Boys & Girls Club in the Woodlawn Terrace community will soon be over.
Groundbreaking on a new 15,000 square-foot permanent home just around the corner from the old facility took place Wednesday, thanks to a gift of $750,000 from THE PLAYERS Championship.
THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club, scheduled for completion in July 2010, will feature a teen center, café, kitchen, IT lab, education center, full indoor gymnasium and state of the art game room.
St. Augustine Mayor Joseph Boles, who was on hand for the groundbreaking, said the facility will provide a "safe haven" for area youth and allow them to learn and grow.
"The Boys & Girls club experience is so important for our young people because it instills values and leadership qualities that are much-needed in our future and current generations," he said. "We're extremely excited to see the impact that THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club will have on our youth."
Highlighting the groundbreaking ceremony was a drum-line performance by teenage members of the Boys & Girls Club. The 150 people in attendance were also treated to a chipping competition with PGA TOUR pro and St. Augustine resident Jeff Klauk.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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CHAMPIONS TOUR NAMES CHARITY AND VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (posted Nov. 13, 2009)
Champions Tour president Mike Stevens presented two awards to honor great service in the 2009 season, as Ron Keener was named Volunteer of the Year for his work on Tour. Also, Returning Home Heroes, Inc. was named the Charity of the Year, and both award recipients received a $30,000 donation from the Tour to further their efforts in the future.
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VETERANS DAY PARADE FEATURES TPC 'FOUNDERS' (posted Nov. 11, 2009)
THE PLAYERS participated in the 2009 Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade with a float featuring two "founders" of TPCs in Iraq and Afghanistan, Captain Jesse White and Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Whitson (see photo below). The float highlighted THE PLAYERS support of the PGA TOUR's Birdies for the Brave program, as well as a special announcement that active duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents will be admitted to the 2010 PLAYERS Championship free of charge, all week.
In September 2003, the PGA TOUR learned of a Lt. White, who built a "golf course" on his base in Mosul, Iraq, and named the course the TPC of Mosul (South). TOUR employees sent golf equipment, care packages and custom-made "TPC of Mosul" hats to the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division and later welcomed Lt. White and four of his fellow soldiers/founders to TPC Sawgrass for a welcome-home reception.
In June 2008, Lt. Col. Kirk Whitson (one of the same soldiers who had been stationed in Mosul) redeployed to Sharana, Afghanistan. He fashioned a golf course out of the sand on base and named it the TPC of Sharana. The TOUR staff again supports this new TPC by sending golf equipment, custom-made TPC of Sharana hats and care packages.
WGC-CA Championship continues TICKETS Fore CHARITY (posted Nov. 9, 2009)
Officials announced that the 2010 World Golf Championships-CA Championship, which will again host the best golfers from around the globe on March 8-14 at TPC Blue Monster at Doral, will continue to build on a program launched last year that gives South Florida charities the opportunity to participate in TICKETS Fore CHARITY.
The 2009 CA Championship TICKETS Fore CHARITY program welcomed 50 charities and raised more than $40,000 by promoting tickets sales to the event in which 100 percent of the net proceeds went to charity.
Registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are invited to participate in TICKETS Fore CHARITY by promoting the sale of tournament tickets. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from these ticket sales will be donated to charity. Each participating organization will receive 75 percent of the net proceeds from the tickets they sell, with the remaining 25 percent donated to The First Tee.
"Last year, TICKETS Fore Charity was a great success for a first-year program. We look forward to building on that success for our 2010 event and raising an even greater number of dollars for charities throughout South Florida through this program," said Executive Director Eddie Carbone. "We invite local organizations to come partner with us so that together, we can enrich and strengthen this community and also provide them the opportunity to become aligned with one of the most prestigious events in professional golf."
The TICKETS Fore CHARITY initiative is scheduled to kick off on Thursday at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. The information session will be followed by lunch and is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am.
Non-profit organizations interested in participating in the program may call Marc Raiken at the CA Championship tournament office at (305) 513-4653 ext. 104.
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Winning teams in Fort Worth: The Henry House and TCU (posted Nov. 4, 2009)
FORT WORTH, Texas -- If you cut J.J. Henry, there's a better than average chance he'd bleed purple. You see, the 34-year-old PGA TOUR veteran is a Horned Frog through and through. And in these parts -- specifically Fort Worth, home of the TCU Horned Frogs -- purple is not only part of one's wardrobe, it's part of one's DNA.
How much does Henry love the Frogs? Well, he follows the undefeated football team as if he would gladly strap on some pads and run down on kickoff coverage should head coach Gary Patterson request it. Of course, there aren't many blindside tackles on the golf course, so Henry will have to settle for the relative safety of his sideline vantage point as he watches his Frogs try to bust into the BCS party.
Passion for the Frogs notwithstanding, Henry follows another group of very special Frogs with an even keener eye and open heart.
The Henry House, J.J.'s foundation, recently gave a $25,000 grant for a program called KinderFrogs, a unique school based at TCU that works with children with Down Syndrome and other development delays.
Five minutes with this home team will change your life.
"It's amazing being around these kids," Henry said. "I can't tell you how rewarding it's been being just a small part of their lives."
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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DiMarco reaches out with Tee Up for Life event (posted Nov. 2, 2009)
Chris DiMarco had just enjoyed a breakthrough season as a professional. He had finished ninth on the 1993 Nike Tour money list, earning just under $100,000, enough to secure his 1994 PGA TOUR playing privileges. Life was good for DiMarco, the New York transplant who called Orlando, Fla., home.
Then he learned the breast cancer his grandmother -- his dad's mother -- had been suffering from had spread.
"She fought it for two years," DiMarco said. "She had a lumpectomy, but it eventually was too much and she passed away."
Two years later, DiMarco, already aware his paternal grandfather had kidney cancer, took a phone call while playing the TOUR event near Hartford, Conn., informing him that his grandfather had died.
"That cancer just spread," DiMarco said. "They opened him up, and the cancer was everywhere. It was hard for my dad to watch both parents just wilt away."
It's no wonder, then, that DiMarco is so passionate about cancer, running the annual Norma DiMarco Tee Up for Life Golf Tournament, a charity golf event that supports Reaching Out to Cancer Kids as well as providing funds for cancer research. The two-day event finishes Monday in Heathrow, Fla.
Proceeds from DiMarco's golf tournament, named in honor of his mother who died in 2006, goes to send children and teenagers suffering from cancer to Camp Boggy Creek in Orlando. It's a year-round camp for seriously ill children, a place for them to go to have fun. The Norma DiMarco Tee Up for Life Golf Tournament typically sends about 175 kids to camp each year. Camp Boggy Creek doesn't charge families, instead using proceeds from charitable contributions. The camp was started by a group that included the late actor Paul Newman and retired U.S. Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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THE PLAYERS sets tournament charity record in 2009 (posted Nov. 2, 2009)
Thanks to dedicated fans, support from the event's three Proud Partners and the hard work of the tournament's volunteer force, tournament officials today announced that THE PLAYERS Championship raised a tournament-record $4.15 million for charity in 2009 bringing the total in charitable donations made by THE PLAYERS since 1997 when the tournament moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to more than $35 million. The funds, which increased more than $1 million from last year's donations, will be distributed to more than 100 charities throughout Northeast Florida.
The announcement was made as part of the kickoff to THE PLAYERS Giving Back Month, with tournament staff and volunteers hand-delivering contributions to many First Coast charities during the "Red Coat Ride Out."
"The best time of the year for all of us involved with THE PLAYERS is when we take time to celebrate what this event does for the Northeast Florida community," said Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Jay Monahan. "While our flagship event is played in May, THE PLAYERS Championship is part of this community on a year-round basis. Seeing how these organizations put charitable dollars to work is always a great reminder that THE PLAYERS is much more than a world-class golf tournament."
While much of the $4.15 million comes from funds raised during tournament week, THE PLAYERS and TPC Sawgrass are partnering with local charities throughout the year to help raise additional, significant dollars for the community, and those funds are included in today's announcement. Events like THE PLAYERS Benefit for the Arts in June, the HEAL Valley of Dreams Gala and Golf Classic and Birdies for the Brave in October; donations to The First Tee, PedsCare and the Proton Therapy Institute made by the Proud Partners (UBS, PricewaterhouseCoopers and JELD-WEN); and an increased "Birdies for Charity" commitment made by the fans are all part of the $4.15 million and the significant impact THE PLAYERS is able to make on the First Coast.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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Frys.com opens week with Fore Adoption pro-am (posted Oct. 20, 2009)
By Doug Milne, PGA TOUR Staff
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Competitive rounds of the Frys.com Open may not start until Thursday, but Monday got the ball rolling with the Fore Adoption Foundation pro-am, headed up by PGA TOUR veteran Kirk Triplett and his wife, Cathi.
The Tripletts, who have adopted two children, have been active with the foundation for years, and through the support of Frys, were able to take it to a higher level in the form of the Monday pro-am at Grayhawk Golf Club. A number of professionals teamed up with amateur couples for a day of fun, awareness and fundraising with Jason Gore's team winning.
"This pro-am is something new and different," Cathi said. "We really tried to incorporate as many women as men into this special pro-am. We feel like if we can turn one head towards the adoption process, then we've been successful."
Her husband agreed.
"The idea was to bring in couples," Kirk said. "We were here to create awareness and promote adoption, which I think we have done."
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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HENSBY RIDES BIKE FOR GOOD CAUSE (posted Oct. 14, 2009)
By Laury Livsey, PGA TOUR Staff
Mark Hensby delivered mail.
During his late teenage years, in his native Melbourne, Hensby snagged a job with Australia Post, and each day he would load the envelopes, packages and parcels into a basket on the front of his bike and drive the Melbourne streets putting mail in the boxes. Daily, it was a two-and-a-half-hour process.
No, it wasn't the best job a fledgling professional golfer could have, but, hey, it paid the bills.
"Christmas time was the worst," Hensby explained, remembering the additional cards and packages that showed up each December. "It was a fair, good run each day. But it was a way to make some money so I could come to America. I always knew I would play golf for a living."
Because Hensby delivered mail, he also knew bikes, or, at least, his bike, the one that was a little tough to pedal. His new Specialized carbon composite beauty has one thing the Hensby bike of 1989 didn't: Gears.
Starting Wednesday, while PGA TOUR players are preparing for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas, Hensby will be on his bike shifting those gears with nothing but 430 miles of desert, mountains and coastline ahead of him.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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QUAIL HOLLOW CHAMPIONSHIP RAISES $1 MILLION (posted Oct. 14, 2009)
CHARLOTTE -- Champions for Education, the non-profit host organization that manages and operates the Quail Hollow Championship, announced Wednesday more than $1.6 million in donations to area organizations.
As a result of the 2009 Quail Hollow Championship, $800,000 was given to Teach For America in Charlotte, $150,000 was donated to Levine Children's Hospital and $100,000 was distributed to The First Tee of Charlotte. A total of $1.6 million was distributed in the local market. In the past seven years, Champions for Education has contributed upwards of $11 million and assisted in providing awareness for various organizations.
"Since the tournament's beginning and going forward, our priority is to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of people in Charlotte and around the region," said Kym Hougham, Executive Director of the Quail Hollow Championship. "Thanks to the tireless effort by our volunteers, support from our corporate partners, the members of the Quail Hollow Club and loyalty from thousands of patrons, we are grateful we could do so again during these difficult times.
"We have a lot of unselfish people who donate their energy and enthusiasm each year to help us conduct this championship and make it an event Charlotte can be proud of."
Teach For America has been the tournament's primary charitable beneficiary since 2003. During that time, the organization has received more than $7 million from tournament proceeds to support its national efforts to expand educational opportunity.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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ALLENBY, TURNING STONE RAISE AWARENESS FOR CANCER (posted Oct. 2, 2009)
Tiger Woods may be best-known for his many hues of red but Robert Allenby traditionally wears a pink shirt on Sunday to honor his mother, who died earlier this year after a bout with cancer.
So Allenby brought some extra paraphernalia to the Turning Stone Resort Championship to make sure he was prepared for Thursday's "Pink-Out" event held in conjunction with the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
"I'm not afraid to wear pink," the affable Australian said. "I've got a pink shirt for (Thursday) and also got a pink jumper as well. They even gave us some pink socks. So that'll look good with black."
Among the beneficiaries of the tournament is the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York. One of her sons, actor Stephen Baldwin, played in Wednesday's pro-am with country singer Trace Adkins. Both his mother and his sister are survivors of the disease.
"I'm just so grateful to the Turning Stone organization for, again, continuing to do all the incredible philanthropy that they do, and I truly believe that they have been as successful and blessed as they have been in the many years that they have been giving back to the community here locally, I think it's largely to do with the fact that they really do give as much as they do," Baldwin said.
"They have been over the moon incredible to the Carolyn Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, and that is why myself and my family and my brothers continue to always make our best effort to do whatever we can for the Turning Stone and their organization."
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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WiLSONS GIVE BACK WITH 'BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK' (posted Sept. 10, 2009)
By Laury Livsey, PGA TOUR Staff
Every Wednesday during her junior and senior years at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Ill., Amy Carlson would board a bus during the school day and travel to Damen Avenue, a mile south of the United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
As she stared out the window during the 30-minute ride there, most of Amy's thoughts were on Charlie, who was cute, friendly and just a little shy.
Charlie didn't go to Amy's school. Charlie didn't live close to her. So in order to see him, Amy had to board a bus and head to Charlie's school -- Gladstone.
Gladstone Elementary.
Charlie was a 9-year-old third-grader, and Amy was his mentor through a program her high school called BASICS -- Brothers And Sisters In Caring and Sharing.
"I just loved it," says Amy of her two-year experience tutoring and mentoring Charlie. "My older brother, Scott, had been involved in the program, and I watched him and knew I wanted to do it when I became old enough."
Today, Charlie's former mentor is known as Amy Wilson after she married PGA TOUR player Mark Wilson. Her interest in charitable pursuits hasn't diminished, even now that she's a mother to a child of her own. She's also president of the PGA TOUR Wives Association, an organization established to "render and provide assistance to needy children and their families through the means of charitable events."
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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NATIONWIDE TOUR PROS VISIT CHILDREN'S REHAB FACILITY (posted Aug. 26, 2009)
By Joe Chemycz, PGA TOUR Staff
MOSCOW, Pa. -- Todd Demsey was nervous on Tuesday, but not because of anything happening on the golf course. The 37-year old has played on the Nationwide Tour and PGA TOUR for the past 14 years and isn't bothered by forced carries over water and long bunker shots. A veteran of pressure-packed amateur and professional tournaments, Demsey rarely gets rattled and carries a laidback approach to life.
After surviving two surgeries to remove brain tumors a few years ago, nothing really fazes the Scottsdale resident. Demsey's anxiety was due to his anticipated visit to meet some children. The kids, though, weren't just any children. This group of special youngsters was located at the Allied Rehab Hospital in Scranton, Pa.
"I was definitely a little anxious going out," he said. "You just never know how you're going to react or how the kids will react."
Demsey and fellow Nationwide Tour members Rich Barcelo, Doug LaBelle II and Jon Mills took time away from preparations for this week's Northeast Pennsylvania Classic to give some impromptu golf lessons to a group of kids with developmental disabilities.
The Allied healthcare system, founded in the early 1960s, is now one of the country's most diverse not-for-profit providers of rehabilitative, vocational, home care and residential services.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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THE BARCLAYS PLANS MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY (posted Aug. 20, 2009)
JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- In honor of all members of the military, The Barclays is hosting Military Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The day will be officially proclaimed Military Appreciation Day in New Jersey by Governor Jon Corzine's office at 10 a.m. in the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost.
Highlighting the full day of activities is a special appearance by Nets Basketball's Terrence Williams and Buddy Valastro, an accomplished master baker and cake decorator and star of the hit TLC reality show "Cake Boss." The first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, The Barclays, will be played Aug. 25-30 and will feature the top 125 players on the FedExCup points list from the PGA TOUR Regular Season.
Active duty/retired members of all five branches of the military and the National Guard are invited to attend The Barclays free of charge Tuesday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 30, and will be admitted by showing proper military identification at the gate.
While onsite during the week, active duty and retired military personnel, along with their dependents, are invited to visit the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost, an expansive military hospitality chalet located near the main entrance offering panoramic views of the fourth green. The Patriots' Outpost is open Wednesday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and will provide military guests and their dependents with complimentary food and beverage, television coverage of competition each day, and a special kids' area. Volunteers from the American Red Cross will staff the Patriots' Outpost throughout tournament week.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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PGA TOUR WIVES ASSOCIATION PAYS VISIT TO 2008 CHARITY OF THE YEAR (posted July 31, 2009)
By John Bush, PGA TOUR Staff
The PGA TOUR Wives Association took the opportunity on Wednesday to visit the Whaley Children's Center -- the primary charity of the Buick Open and the recipient of the 2008 TOUR Charity of the Year.
The wives planted trees and flowers on the grounds of the Center, all provided by the Buick Open. The wives also took part -- with the help of the Center's children -- in painting and decorating flower pots, which will be displayed throughout the facility. Some of those pots will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the WCC.
"Just learning about what is going on and why children are here at Whaley is eye opening," said Troy Matteson's wife, Shauna.
The Whaley Children's Center serves abused and neglected children throughout the State of Michigan between the ages of 5 and 17. The Center teaches the children how to succeed as individuals, by providing continuity of care across all programs and supporting them with the resources so they can reach their potential. The Center's impact is felt throughout the region all year long but also during tournament week each year, as it annually operates the Buick Open's "will call" office.
"It always touches your heart to be involved in these visits with children," said Ben Crane's wife, Heather. "How could it not? We just have so much compassion for them."
The PGA TOUR has generated more than $1.4 billion in charitable contributions since its first donation in 1938. That figure wouldn't be possible without the help of tournaments such as the Buick Open. But Wednesday's visit proved that money alone doesn't represent the entire reach of the TOUR's charitable efforts ... sometimes volunteering a little time does just as much -- and, in the process, brings smiles to the faces of all parties involved.
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NATIONWIDE TOUR PLAYERS VISIT SICK CHILDREN'S SUMMER CAMP (posted July 22, 2009)
By Joe Chemcyz, PGA TOUR Staff
OMAHA, Neb. -- Perspective. A quartet of Nationwide Tour players were reminded Tuesday afternoon that missing a birdie putt or a 36-hole cut isn't a matter of life and death.
The foursome of pros took time away from practice for this week's Cox Classic in Omaha, Neb., to visit Camp CoHoLo, a camp for children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders.
"It wasn't at all what we were expecting," said J.J. Killeen of the 25-mile trip to the camp located near Gretna, Neb. "We were thinking it was an odd place for a hospital, out in the middle of nowhere."
Instead of finding 85 kids in hospital beds, Killeen, Martin Piller, Michael Sims and Jhonattan Vegas found a group of 6-12 year olds in bathing suits, jumping for joy and living life to the fullest. Tuesday also happened to be "Beach Day" at Camp CoHoLo.
The word CoHoLo is an acronym for Courage, Hope and Love, the guiding principles behind the formation of the camp.
"The most impressive thing is that they know they're sick, and yet they have a great time, not worrying about anything," said Vegas, a rookie from Texas by way of Venezuela. "They're all going through a rough time, and to see them enjoying life gives you goosebumps."
The pros took a respite from chipping and putting and turned their attention instead to water slides and water balloons.
"There are some kids there in wheelchairs who can't really do much and are just out enjoying the sunshine, it's hard not to feel something for them. They're amazing," said Sims, who was the first to break from the pack and join the kids on the 50-foot, inflatable water slide. "It makes you think how lucky we are to be doing what we do."
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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HOLE IN THE WALL GANG (posted June 25, 2009)
Summer officially arrived this week, and for kids that means lemonade stands, long days at the swimming pool and, of course, summer camp. But not all children are healthy enough to participate in this summer pastime.
That's where the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp comes in. Founded by the late Paul Newman in 1988, and named for the secret, outlaw hiding place from his film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the camp provides a unique retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Every summer, more than 1,000 children from all over the world enjoy a summer camping experience completely free of charge. Altogether, the Camp serves more than 15,000 children annually.
Keeping with the TOUR's tradition of giving back, 100 percent of the net proceeds from this year's Travelers Championship will go to area charities. The primary recipients are the Hole in the Wall Gang and the greater Hartford Jaycees.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp staffs an information booth at the course during tournament week and participates in the Celebrity Pro-Am. In an awards ceremony at the tournament, the Camp received a gift of $250,000.
The majority of the campers are children that have been diagnosed with cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, hemophilia and other serious and life-threatening conditions. Children enjoy more than they or their parents ever thought possible, with activities like archery, mini golf, swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, sports, theater and camping.
"What some may see as trivial -- the opportunity to spend a week free from the pain and worry of serious illness -- is not just important, but critical in the lives of many of our campers," said CEO Jimmy Canton.
A zero-entry pool provides water fun for all campers, regardless of any mobility challenges they may have. A special warming room or "French fryer" allows children with sickle cell anemia to enjoy swimming -- many for the first time in their young lives. An exceptional tree house, mini golf course and multiple trails are specially designed to be wheelchair-accessible, ensuring an inclusive experience for all youngsters.
Safety, respect and love guide every moment of this haven for seriously ill youngsters. In the words of one young camper, "I love it here. Sometimes you think being so sick gives you limits, but the Camp helps you try anything."
The Travelers Championship, formerly the Greater Hartford Open, is a major fundraiser of the Greater Hartford Jaycees. For 56 years, the Jaycees have planned and operated this tournament through volunteers and have raised over $23 million for charity.
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UNITED WE SERVE (June 24, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR announced on Wednesday its support of United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama on June 22 aimed to engage more Americans in serving their communities throughout the summer. The TOUR is one of many professional sports leagues, entertainment organizations and other companies who will leverage resources to help make this initiative a success.
"This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation," said President Obama in the video announcing United We Serve. "Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities as what we're doing in Washington -- and it's going to take all of us, working together."
"As part of our 'Together, anything's possible' platform, the PGA TOUR already has more than 100,000 volunteers working through TOUR events to better the communities in which they live, making it a natural fit for the TOUR to support this broader initiative brought forth by President Obama," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "We thank the President for making this call to service this summer and beyond, and we will work together in support of this effort."
United We Serve kicked off on June 22 and runs through Sept. 11, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance. The initiative focuses on four key areas: education; health; energy and the environment; and community renewal. It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities though volunteering and service.
• To read the rest of the story, click here.
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PINK ON THE LINKS (June 18, 2009)
In less than three weeks, Amy Mickelson, the wife of the world's No. 2 golfer, will undergo treatment for breast cancer. She hopes her husband Phil will bring home a shiny silver trophy from the U.S. Open to brighten up her hospital room.
What Amy and the rest of the golf world want even more, though, is to fight the disease. Long before Amy's diagnosis, this week's Nationwide Tour event had already planned to raise awareness for breast cancer research.
The champion cause for the 2009 Fort Smith Classic presented by Stephens, Inc., is an all-day event entitled Pink on the Links. This event, to be held on June 19, will provide support to the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure as they work diligently to save lives and find an end to breast cancer.
Women of all ages and golf-skill levels will be treated to a day of fun, education, and activities at the tournament. Breast cancer survivors will be honored at this event.
The fun-filled day will begin at 7 a.m. and continue into the evening with a pink-themed party --aptly named PAR-TEE PINK -- featuring live entertainment. The partygoers will be served pink drinks to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The schedule of events also includes a St. Edward Mercy Medical Center Health and Beauty Fair, a fashion show, a luncheon sponsored by Poultry Direct, door prizes and, of course, lots of golf.
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CBS TO AIR TOUR CHARITY SPECIAL PRESENTED BY BARCLAYS (posted June 1, 2009)
JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- The CBS special, "PGA TOUR: Playing With a Purpose presented by Barclays," which is scheduled to air Sunday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. ET prior to final-round coverage of the Memorial Tournament, will highlight the PGA TOUR's numerous charity efforts and the several charities supported by some of the top PGA TOUR players. The special, hosted by Jim Nantz, comes on the heels of the TOUR's new, elevated charity platform, "Together, anything's possible."
Presenting sponsor, Barclays, hosts the first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, The Barclays, which will feature 125 of the top players on TOUR, Aug. 24-30 at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.
Since 1938, PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour events have donated $1.4 billion to charity, including a record $124 million in 2008, to help more than 2,000 charities and countless individuals around the world. Millions are given each year to communities, to those less fortunate, to children, to families, to medical facilities, to our wounded military heroes, to schools, to the future of the game of golf. "PGA TOUR: Playing with a Purpose presented by Barclays" will bring to light the PGA TOUR and its players' unwavering commitment to leaving the community with a brighter future.
In 2009, The Barclays will impact multiple charities in New York and New Jersey, including The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. In an effort to give back to the local community, the 2009 event will participate in TICKETS Fore CHARITY"!. This is a unique fundraising initiative designed to improve the quality of life in the communities where PGA TOUR tournaments are held.
Through TICKETS Fore CHARITY, The Barclays is providing 501(c)(3) organizations with the opportunity to promote tournament tickets to benefit their organization, and 100 percent of the net proceeds from the ticket sales (net proceeds exclude tax, shipping or processing fees) go to charity -- 75 percent to the charity promoting the tickets and 25 percent to The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.
In 2008, The Barclays donated $1 million to local charities, bringing the total amount raised since 1967 to more than $35 million.
To read more about the CBS special and TOUR charity, click here.
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PLAYERS, KIDS HAVE FUN AT 'BEDPAN OPEN' (posted May 27, 2009)
The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial annually hosts a charitable hospital visit with various PGA TOUR professionals at the Cook Children's Medical Center, with this year's participants including Brandt Jobe, Troy Matteson and Jason Day.
The annual player visit -- known as the "Bedpan Open" -- features a miniature putt-putt course set up in the Atrium of the Medical Center. This worthwhile event -- which has been staged for close to 20 years -- has earned the Cook Children's Medical Center the TOUR's Spotlight Charity of the Week.
At times on Tuesday morning it seemed harder to figure out who was having more fun -- the TOUR professionals or the patients in the hospital.
"We had a blast today," said Matteson. "It was really neat to go over there and visit with the kids and see them have a good day. A lot of them are really battling right now, so to be able to see smiles on their faces meant the world to us. To see what these kids are going through on a daily basis makes you appreciate how blessed we are."
The Cook Children's Medical Center is an integrated delivery organization dedicated to providing quality health care and improving the well-being of children. No child is turned away from Cook Children's regardless of their ability to pay. More than 240,000 children are served in a typical year by Cook, including more than $60 million in uncompensated care.
The Center uses contributions from the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial to pay for the uncompensated care they provide to the children. The Colonial has been at the forefront of the PGA TOUR's charitable efforts for many years. Last year the tournament raised $6.6 million for Tarrant County Charities, with more than $26 million having been raised over the last 10 years.
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THE PLAYERS NAMES BIRDIES FOR CHARITY WINNERS, RESULTS (posted May 27, 2009)
Joe Vella, a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation board member whose grandson has juvenile diabetes, was selected among three finalists as the 2009 Birdies for Charity Grand Prize Winner.
During the 2009 PLAYERS Championship, 1,502 birdies were made and three participants of Birdies for Charity all guessed within one birdie. According to contest rules, a drawing would determine the grand prize winner.
The drawing was held May 22, 2009, in The Presidents Cup Library at TPC Sawgrass. The three names were drawn from The Presidents Cup trophy, which was appropriate since Vella won an all-expense paid trip to The Presidents Cup in San Francisco in October.
Fitz Powell, who supported Gateway Community Services, received the second-place prize, a two-day golf school at the TOUR Academy TPC Sawgrass, accommodations, golf rounds and lunch.
Brendon Thomas Kemp, who supported the St. Johns County Police Athletic League, received the third-place prize, a night of fine dining for four with accompanying wines in Traditions at TPC Sawgrass.
Vella says he didn't enter and gather extra pledges just to win, but rather because he knows personally how important it is raise funds for research. When his name was drawn, he admitted it was pretty exciting.
"I was dumbfounded. It's very exciting to win. But, I don't do it for the prizes, I do it for the support of the organization," said Vella. "I reached out to everyone in my Rolodex, some people were across the country. If they could hold a golf club or owed me a favor, I called them."
• To read the rest of this story, click here.
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CAMPBELL SPENDS DAY WITH LOCAL STUDENTS (posted May 20, 2009)
By John Bush, PGA TOUR Staff
PGA TOUR professional and Colleyville, Texas resident Chad Campbell had the opportunity to spend some time on Wednesday afternoon with a group of first-grade students from the J. Erik Jonsson Community School -- the PGA TOUR's Spotlight Charity of the Week and one of the beneficiaries of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Nestled in the heart of Oak Cliff, the Community School is a nonprofit school where students from three years old through fifth grade come to achieve and be part of a community that learns. The school specializes in forging powerful relationships among teachers, students and families and, in the process, meeting the educational needs of low-income children and their families.
"It is just a pleasure to see these kids out here, guys and girls, and to see them so interested in golf," said Campbell. "I think they're having a good time out at the tournament today, and I'm enjoying getting the opportunity of spending some time with them."
After a press conference with local and national media members, Campbell took part in a 10-minute question-and-answer session with the kids. Questions posed to the four-time PGA TOUR winner included: "Did you enjoy golf before you became good at it?", "How many trophies have you won?" and "How do you hit the ball so high?"
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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A CHARITY OF RICHES (posted May 19, 2009)
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
While his peers were toiling on the practice range at TPC Las Colinas Tuesday morning, Rich Beem was checking out a Dallas Cowboys practice session.
"Those are some very, very large gentlemen," Beem said. "I'm glad I play golf for a living."
The 2002 PGA champion stood tall among those Cowboys, though, as he announced an initiative to raise money to help one of the team's scouts, Rich Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down when the Dallas training facility collapsed several weeks ago.
The program -- called Beem Fore Behm -- has several components. First of all, Beem will donate $100 for every birdie he makes at the HP Byron Nelson Championship and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial over the next two weeks.
Fans attending both tournaments can also make pledges and participate in a raffle for two sets of custom-fitted Callaway golf clubs donated by Beem's sponsor. There also will be a silent auction for Beem's golf bag which will be signed by a variety of PGA TOUR pros, many of whom are making donations of their own.
In addition, people can log on to PGATOUR.COM and make a pledge online.
Beem is amazed at how the initiative has grown. Like many, he first heard about the accident through news reports but it was several days later when Beem discovered the most seriously injured all but shared his name.
There were other similarities, too. The Cowboys scout is 33 and the father of three. The three-time TOUR champ is five years older, also with three young children.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
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BAIRD WINS FREE FOOD, FUNDS FOR CHARITY (posted May 19, 2009)
Do you crave Chinese food -- specifically P.F. Chang's famously delicious lettuce wraps -- every time Briny Baird and his P.F. Chang's-logoed hat appear on the golf telecast?
If so, you're in luck. Baird won free lettuce wraps (with the purchase of an entrée) for everyone in the United States on Monday.
His method of winning the free food was a bit unconventional. Baird hit 10 golf balls from 375 feet up in the air -- on the roof of the Omni Hotel in San Diego -- onto right-center field of the San Diego Padres' Petco Park. (To view photos from the event, click here.)
If Baird hit the bull's-eye on a three-ringed target that sat 230 yards from his unusual tee box, every American with a valid email address would win a complementary lettuce wrap appetizer.
He hit the center twice, thus winning over the hearts -- and stomachs -- of P.F. Chang's fans. In many ways, though, that wasn't even the best part. The P.F. Chang's-sponsored event also donated money to the San Diego Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society based on Baird's 10 shots. Hitting the center of the ring was worth $2,000, the inner ring was worth $1,000 and the outer ring was worth $500.
Baird landed in the target on eight of his 10 tries to earn $17,500, which the restaurant chain then increased to a $25,000 donation.
To claim your free lettuce wraps, click here.
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WISHES GRANTED AT THE PLAYERS FOR TWO SICK BOYS (posted May 9, 2009)
By Lauren Deason, PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Exactly two years ago, Danny Seymour, then 11, was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, a life-threatening illness. No one knew quite what caused it -- it could be hereditary or triggered by a virus or bacteria -- but his immune system had started to attack his liver and his spleen grew so large that it was in danger of rupturing.
About six months later, on the opposite end of the country, 17-year-old Jordan Paganelli found out he had a soft tissue cancer known as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. It was labeled as Stage IV, and the disease spread from his hip to his lungs, pelvic area and eventually his brain. He was given a 10 percent chance for survival.
Geographically, the two families couldn't be further apart, but they were brought together by a common bond in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week.
The Seymour family spent five hours driving from their home in eastern Oregon to Portland, then flew five more hours to Jacksonville for THE PLAYERS Championship. The Paganelli family traveled south from Pax River, Md., to TPC Sawgrass, and also arrived on Tuesday for a special week.
To read the story of this story, click here.
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FINCHEM, PLAYERS UNVEIL RENEWED CHARITY INITIATIVE (posted May 5, 2009)
By PGA TOUR Staff
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, along with Player Directors Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and David Toms, unveiled on Tuesday the PGA TOUR's renewed commitment to charitable efforts aimed at further energizing and engaging all players, tournaments, sponsors, charities, volunteers and fans to build upon the $1.4 billion the TOUR has generated for charities since 1938.
The announcement was made two days before the start of THE PLAYERS Championship, a tournament that has contributed more than $31 million to Northeast Florida charities since moving to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977.
"The PGA TOUR has done a lot for charity over the years, but only because of the passion for giving back shared by our players, tournaments, sponsors, charities, volunteers and fans," Finchem said. "When we say, 'Together, anything's possible,' we mean that by rallying behind the common cause of charitable giving, we can create greater awareness and elevate our overall impact, which is so important in these difficult economic times."
With a full-scale launch scheduled for 2010, the TOUR will spend the remainder of the year focusing on two areas: developing programs and employing resources to harness the efforts of all the TOUR's constituents in order to increase the collective impact; and effectively communicating the TOUR's charitable efforts to all involved.
To read the rest of this story, click here.
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FIRST COURSE WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A SUCCESS (posted April 29, 2009)
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tammy Wright cradled her squirming 22-month-old granddaughter Kyndall safely in her arms.
If only she could have done the same for her daughter, Brittany Bridges, who was murdered by Kyndall's father eight months ago. He committed suicide on the same day, which also happened to be his 25th birthday.
As she has dealt with the unimaginable heartbreak of losing her daughter, Wright has become an advocate for raising awareness of domestic violence. That's why Tuesday's outpouring of support was so important to her.
More than 850 people turned out for the inaugural "Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence" at the Quail Hollow Club. The event, which raised more than $75,000, was co-sponsored by the PGA TOUR Wives Association, the Avon Foundation and the Quail Hollow Championship.
"I think for so many years domestic violence is something people don't talk about," Wright said. "They like to pretend it's not happening or that it happens to somebody else. But it's happening everywhere -- it may be happening to your neighbor. So I'm just thrilled to see so many people out here raising awareness for it because it needs to stop.
• To read the rest of this story, click here.
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HILTON HEAD HEROES (posted April 15, 2009)
Gregg Russell has been writing and performing under the old oak tree in Harbour Town for more than 25 years. Now Russell is helping many of the children he's entertained through Hilton Head Heroes, a charity he and wife Lindy formed in 1998.
The organization, this week's PGA TOUR's spotlight charity during the Verizon Heritage tournament, is able to host a child with a life-threatening or serious illness 50 weeks each year. The child (age 4-12) and their family are provided with an expenses-paid week at Hilton Head, where they can stay in the handicap-accessible home purchased by the charity in the Sea Pines Resort. All transportation and meals are donated by local families and businesses.
"We hear the stories, some kids recover and many don't," Russell said. "This is a chance for many of them to say good-bye to their little one."
The charity has some heavyweights on its board of the directors, including 2010 Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin, former Wimbledon champion and Hilton Head resident Stan Smith and CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz, who donates a chunk of the money raised each year at his own fundraising event in Texas.
PGA TOUR professional Jonathan Byrd had a chance to meet Russell and become familiar with the Hilton Head Heroes on Wednesday. Byrd and his wife Amanda have two healthy children, but have seen the affect a child's illness can have on a family. "It can really shake your world," Byrd said.
Russell said the charity has grown to the point where it will soon need a second house to accommodate the growing number of requests.
"The community has embraced it and our needs have always been met," Russell said. "We're dealing with sick kids and people always have a heart for that."
More information about the charity is available at hiltonheadheroes.org.
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NATIONWIDE TOUR ANNOUNCES 2008 CO-CHARITIES OF THE YEAR (posted April 14, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and Via Christi Children's Miracle Network have been named 2008 Co-Charities of the Year on the Nationwide Tour.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee is the recipient of charitable proceeds from the Chattanooga Classic presented by Black Creek. Via Christi Children's Miracle Network is the beneficiary of the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open.
As the Nationwide Tour's Co-Charities of the Year, the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and Via Christi Children's Miracle Network will receive $15,000 checks from the PGA TOUR to further impact their programs and services.
"For 20 years now, the Nationwide Tour and all of its tournaments have worked hard to have an impact in the hundreds of communities where our events are played," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "We have so many worthy benefiting organizations that it is always a challenge to single one or two out. The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and the Via Christi Children's Miracle Network stand out in their commitment to do great things for the people they represent. We are honored to be able to recognize them and help further their efforts."
To read the rest of this story and learn more about the charities, click here.
NAVY SEAL TO SPEARHEAD TOUR'S MILITARY OUTREACH PROGRAMS (posted April 1, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR has appointed former Navy SEAL Stephen Kupcha to the position of Manager, Public Relations & Community Outreach, where he is responsible for overseeing PGA TOUR Charities, Inc.'s Birdies for the Brave military outreach initiative (www.pgatour.com/birdiesforthebrave). The announcement was made by John Hugghins, the PGA TOUR's Senior Vice President of TPC Operations.
"Stephen's integrity, strength of character, and proven leadership skills make him ideally qualified to help lead the TOUR's community activation efforts through its TPC Network of clubs in support of the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families," said Hugghins. "Stephen's insight and experience will be invaluable as we continue to expand Birdies for the Brave throughout the TPC Network as well as during events on the PGA TOUR, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour."
In his new position, Kupcha will spearhead Birdies for the Brave fundraising events held at TPCs benefiting six military homefront groups that are supported by TOUR players, including: Homes For Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation, supported by Phil Mickelson; Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, supported by Rory Sabbatini; Naval Special Warfare Foundation, supported by Jerry Kelly; Wounded Warrior Project, supported by Frank Lickliter, Nick Watney and Jason Gore; and Operation Homefront, supported by Corey Pavin.
Kupcha also will oversee military outreach activities including VIP experiences for members of the military and patriotic celebrations held during PGA TOUR tournaments; letter-writing campaigns for the troops; the distribution of care packages to troops stationed abroad; and the TOUR's Adopted Wounded Warrior Program -- a collaborative effort with the Wounded Warrior Project in which honorary TPC memberships are awarded to local wounded warriors to aid in the rehabilitation process.
Kupcha is well suited for his new responsibilities. During his 12 years as a Navy SEAL, he served in a succession of leadership roles, most recently Division Officer -- Advanced Tactical Communications Training at the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command San Diego, Calif. Kupcha was awarded numerous commendations during his military career, including the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; and multiple Navy Achievement Medals. Following his retirement from the Navy in 2008, Kupcha joined TPC Sawgrass as Outside Services Operations Manager.
A native of New Jersey, Kupcha moved to San Diego to join the Navy after graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Science. He and his wife, Erin and their two children reside in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
HOUSTON GOLF ASSOCIATION: $51.6 MILLION FOR CHARITY (posted March 31, 2009)
The Shell Houston Open's host organization, the Houston Golf Association, has been conducting PGA TOUR events since 1946, making Houston's tournament the 10th oldest on the TOUR's schedule. The only breaks have been 1948 when there was no tournament and in 1969 when the HGA co-sponsored the U.S. Open at Champions Golf Club.
Since 1974, the Houston Golf Association has generated more than $51.6 million for local youth-oriented charities through various golf-related activities.
The HGA ensures that funds generated by the Shell Houston Open are put to work locally so that the proceeds of its PGA TOUR event directly impacts the local community. HGA also underwrites the costs of a junior golf tournament program and The First Tee of Houston/Redstone.
One PGA TOUR player with recent HGA ties is Chris Stroud, who has one top-10 finish this season (T6 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am).
Houston Golf Association's Birdies for Charity program has used the power of the Shell Houston Open PGA TOUR event to annually generate six-figure contributions for local charities since 1999. Contributors making the minimum pledge are able to guess the total number of birdies that will be made by PGA TOUR players Wednesday through Sunday. On average since 1999 there have been 1,641.6 birdies per tournament.
Goodson Honda has donated a 2009 Honda Fit, a hybrid automobile, for the grand prize in the "Guess the Birdies" contest. Through 2008, Birdies for Charity has generated more than $4.7 million for local worthy causes.
SHELL HOUSTON OPEN PRO-AM SPOT NETS $47,500 FOR V FOUNDATION (posted March 31, 2009)
A fan of the national sports talk show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, bid $47,500 for two Wednesday pro-am spots in the Shell Houston Open. The winner bidder is Frank Thomas, a concrete plant owner in of South Pittsburgh, Tenn. Thomas is having his sons -- Allen and Stephen -- play in the pro-am group of former British Open winner Ben Curtis and the two ESPN talk show hosts -- Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg.
The full $47,500 bid goes to the V Foundation for Cancer Research charity, founded to honor former basketball coach Jimmy Valvano. The Shell Houston Open tournament has raised more than $45 million for charities since Shell Oil became the title sponsor in 1992.
"The two Grand Pro-Am playing spots would normally sell for $6,000 each, so the auction proved that charity is once again champion at the Shell Houston Open," Shell Houston Open tournament director Steve Timms said.
The Mike and Mike in the Morning show on ESPN will air live from the Shell Houston Open on Wednesday, April 1, with the talk show hosts warming up their golf game in a hitting cage during commercial breaks, since they tee off immediately after the radio show concludes.
The winning package also included roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and VIP tournament tickets for two.
PLAYERS DEDICATED TO FIRST COAST, STARTS NEW INITIATIVES (posted March 23, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- At a time when local charitable organizations have less and less funding available due to economic restraints, tournament officials with THE PLAYERS Championship announced new initiatives as part of their continued commitment to charity. THE PLAYERS, which takes place May 4-10, 2009, on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is more committed than ever to bolstering its charitable ties throughout Northeast Florida.
In addition to the nearly 100 charities supported by the tournament on an annual basis, for the first time in PLAYERS history, the tournament's volunteer force of nearly 2,000 is uniting to support a single First Coast charity. The commitment has been dubbed "Mission: IMPACT," and its goal is to rally the volunteers of THE PLAYERS around one specific charitable cause each year. Volunteers will make donations earmarked to help the organization serve its clients. Volunteers are currently voting on which local non-profit they will chose as the Mission: IMPACT charity for 2009. Voting closes March 30.
"As volunteers, we are united in our support of THE PLAYERS' ability to make a difference in our community," said THE PLAYERS Volunteer Chairman Tommy Douglas. "While the volunteer force has a tremendous influence on the millions in contributions that THE PLAYERS makes each year, we realized we can take even a greater role in giving back. Now -- as a unified group -- we are taking the PGA TOUR's goal of 'giving back' one step further through Mission: IMPACT and look forward to making a significant contribution to the charity the volunteers select at the end of this year's event."
Tournament officials also announced new multi-year grant recipients for 2009: Baptist Health of Northeast Florida; Beaches Community Healthcare, a Sulzbacher Clinic; The Boselli Foundation; The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens; Junior Achievement; PACE Center for Girls; Project SOS; and St. Vincent's Medical Center.
"Now more than ever, THE PLAYERS is dedicated to helping charitable organizations throughout the community," said Executive Director Jay Monahan. "With the state of our economy, charities are finding funding increasingly difficult to come by. THE PLAYERS will continue to search for new ways to increase the size of our charitable footprint and ensure that this event continues to be one our community can be proud of all year long."
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AT DORAL(posted March 14, 2009)
By T.J. Auclair, PGATOUR.COM Interactive Producer
DORAL, Fla. -- It isn't all about the golf on Saturday at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship.
The third round at Doral is also Military Appreciation Day, which includes a Navy Jet flyover, multi-service color guard and the Navy Women's Glee Club singing the National Anthem.
Along with Saturday's day of appreciation, active military, guard, reserves, retirees and their immediate families are receiving complimentary admission for all days of the championship.
In the Doral clubhouse, there's a designated area called the "Patriots' Outpost" which serves as a hospitality room for members of the military. Along with food and drinks, guests in the room were getting visits by players, including Boo Weekley and Davis Love III.
The corner of the room had a television and satellite feed set up with soliders stationed in Germany to play head-to-head against Weekley and Love in the latest Tiger Woods video game.
Needless to say, Weekley and Love weren't nearly as good at the game as they are at the real thing.
To read more about Weekley and Love's visit, click here.
PGA TOUR WIVES TEE IT UP FOR CHARITY AT PGA NATIONAL (posted on March 3, 2009)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- Bob Estes was 140 yards from the hole, standing over a pink ball and wearing a sombrero. As if that weren't daunting enough, his wife and three other women wearing short white skirts and knee-high Argyle socks were jumping nearby and yelling "Hole it, hole it, hole it!"
He did not hole it.
Not even close, actually, although that hardly mattered.
Tuesday was Ladies Day at PGA National, site of this week's Honda Classic. They played the PGA TOUR Wives Classic, where 37 spouses and significant others of TOUR pros played a nine-hole, four-woman scramble, with the husbands wearing pink-trimmed caddie bibs and being drafted to play mulligans.
By day's end, nearly $100,000 was raised for charity.
"We're on the road 30 to 35 weeks a year, and the road becomes our home," said Amy Wilson, the wife of 2007 Honda Classic champion Mark Wilson and the president of the PGA TOUR Wives Association. "The PGA TOUR gives so much back through each tournament through charities, and we get to mirror that and help in our own way, too. And through the connections we have through our husbands, we can open doors."
Former LPGA player Angie Oberholser was the tournament director, and she spent nearly a full year organizing everything. There were gift bags for everyone and specially made hats designed by Vicky Waldorf, the wife of longtime TOUR pro Duffy Waldorf.
Oberholser is pregnant and said she wasn't sure if "good-golfer Angie or pregnant Angie" would be on the first tee. Good-golfer Angie was there; she drilled her opening drive perfectly down the fairway, drawing applause from about two dozen PGA National members who showed up to watch.
"This tournament is a lot of work," said Oberholser, who threatened to fire her caddie and husband Arron last year, but had Matt Kuchar on her bag Tuesday because her spouse is recovering from surgery. "But I really enjoyed it."
• To read more of this story, click here.
U.S. BANK CHAMPIONSHIP NAMES NEW CHARITY BENEFICIARY (posted on Feb. 26, 2009)
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, one of the highest rated pediatric centers in the country, has been named a major beneficiary of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, as announced by the tournament's Board of Directors.
The U.S. Bank Championship is Wisconsin's premier golf event and the region's only permanent PGA TOUR stop. The not-for-profit event has donated millions of dollars to Wisconsin charities over the course of its 42-year history including contributions of more than $5 million over the past 10 years, since the tournament's return to the summer golf schedule.
In 2008, the U.S. Bank Championship donated $525,000 to various worthy causes in the city and state. "We are proud to announce today the beginning of what we hope will be a long-running relationship with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin," said Paul Knoebel, President of the U.S. Bank Championship's Board of Directors.
"Children's Hospital cares for some of the most fragile infants and children and, as such, plays an important and unique role in our community," Knoebel continued. "Everyone involved with the U.S. Bank Championship is proud and excited to know that such a worthy cause will be a major beneficiary of our efforts."
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is rated No. 3 in the nation by Parents magazine and is recognized as one of America's Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital has been designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a national honor that recognizes nursing excellence.
Because more children and families count on Children's Hospital each year, the hospital will open a 12-story, 425,000-square-foot expansion in spring 2009. "We are honored to receive this wonderful news from the U.S. Bank Championship," said Peggy Troy, RN, MSN, president and CEO of Children's Hospital and Health System.
• To read more of this story, click here.
TOUR WIVES PLAN FIRST COURSE WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (posted on Feb. 19, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR Wives Association, in collaboration with the Wachovia Championship and the Avon Foundation, will participate in the inaugural Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence, to be held on Tuesday, April 28, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., as part of Wachovia Championship week.
Participants in this first-of-its kind event will have the option to walk a nine-hole or 18-hole route to raise funds and awareness for the domestic violence cause. Proceeds will be awarded by the Avon Foundation to domestic violence organizations in North Carolina, including United Family Services Shelter for Battered Women and The Shelter of Gaston County.
The funds will enable the shelters to continue to help individuals who have been affected by domestic violence, as well as to educate people about the issue, with the goal to help create a world without domestic violence.
"We are proud that the Avon Foundation shares our mission to help children and families, and we are delighted they are partnering with us to make this event a reality," said PGA TOUR Wives Association President Amy Wilson. "With these funds, we will be able to really make a difference for the lives of so many in the Charlotte area."
Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence is the latest initiative of the Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Since Speak Out launched in 2004, the Avon Foundation has awarded more than $10 million to 350 domestic violence organizations in the U.S. alone.
"It is an honor for us to host this event and help bring awareness to such a worthy cause," said Wachovia Championship Executive Director Kym Hougham. "Walk The Course Against Domestic Violence will be a fun and meaningful part of our early-week activities."
Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence is a non-competitive family-friendly event. Participants can register online at www.walkthecourseagainstdv.org or by calling 866-646-2866. Fundraising is voluntary but encouraged, and fundraising incentive prizes are offered to help inspire the participants. Top fundraisers will have the opportunity to meet PGA TOUR golfers at a special reception after the walk.
FITTING FINALE FOR 40-YEAR-OLD EVENT (posted on Feb. 17, 2009)
By Craig Dolch, PGATOUR.COM Contributor
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. -- When Bob Murphy and club professional Laurie Hammer opened Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in the late-19060s, they had an idea.
"We thought, why not run a pro-am where we can raise money for the local hospital (Bethesda Memorial) and also let everyone in the community know we're here?" Murphy said.
That was 40 years and more than $3.7 million in charity donations ago. The Delray Dunes Bethesda Hospital Pro-Amateur has the distinction of being the longest-running, one-day pro-am in the United States, but on Monday the curtain finally came down.
"We just think it's time," Murphy said. "Forty sounds like a good number to stop it on."
A good number with eye-catching finale field. Murphy was joined in his going-out party by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd and Gary Player; as well as three other Hall of Famers (Hale Irwin, Larry Nelson and Beth Daniel).
What tournament sponsor wouldn't drool to have a field like this?
To read more of this story, click here.
BOLTON, JAMES WIN 3M CELEBRITY CHALLENGE (posted on Feb. 11, 2009)
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- With a par on the 18th hole, the team of singer Michael Bolton and actor Kevin James won the first and only skin of the day, worth $29,000 for their charities, in the 3M Celebrity Challenge at Pebble Beach.
Six two-man teams participated in the five-hole event, each playing for a charity of their choice. No skins were won in the first four holes. The other five teams each won $1,000 for their charities.
After Bolton made his team's par putt, Bill Murray had a chance to halve the hole and send the challenge into a chip-off, but he missed a short par putt that he jokingly called "the biggest putt of my life." Said Murray (who was wearing some type of blue kimono over his golf attire) about his putt: "I hit it and I hit it badly."
Defending champs Kenny G and Chris Berman, who won the $29,000 last year on the 18th hole, had their chance on 18, but Berman missed his par attempt.
Bolton will donate his prize money to the Michael Bolton Charities, while James' winnings go to the John A. Moran Eye Center.
Other charities include: Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury (Chris Berman), Project MuszEd (Kenny G), The First Tee of Monterey County (Andy Garcia, George Lopez), One Voice (Greg Kinnear), Carousel Fund (Huey Lewis), Rancho Cielo (Bill Murray), Boston College (Chris O'Donnell), Fund for Public Schools (Ray Romano), Justin Timberlake Foundation and Shriners Hospital for Children (Justin Timberlake). -- Mike McAllister
TOUR SETS CHARITY RECORD AGAIN FOR FUNDS RAISED IN '08 (posted on Feb. 11, 2009)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Commissioner Tim Finchem announced today that despite the nation's economic downturn, the PGA TOUR and its tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour collectively generated another record amount for charity in 2008, with a total of $124 million.
This brings the TOUR's all-time charity total to nearly $1.38 billion.
"Even as the economic conditions worsened, our tournaments did a terrific job of generating revenue to achieve another record year for charitable giving," Finchem said. "We are extremely proud of the job each of these tournaments has done under particularly trying economic circumstances.
"As always, the most important result of this achievement is the number of lives that are impacted by these charitable contributions within each tournament community," Finchem added.
The FBR Open set a PGA TOUR charity record in 2008 by raising $8.6 million. The 3M Championship led the Champions Tour with $1.3 million, while the Albertson's Boise Open led the Nationwide Tour with over $1 million.
Finchem acknowledged that it will be particularly challenging for tournaments to match the charity levels achieved in 2008 until there is a clear turnaround in the economy. While the overall charity total likely will decline this year, Finchem noted the continued efforts of the more than 100 tournaments on all three Tours still will result in significant support of worthy causes throughout the country.
Finchem further said the PGA TOUR is recommitting itself to charity "like never before. Not only is charity something we care deeply about, it also is an important reason our sponsors choose to associate with us," he said. "Unlike any other sport, charitable giving is very much a part of our foundation and fabric."
To broaden awareness and appreciation for the outstanding charitable work of the tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, Finchem said a new multi-year charitable platform will be announced in the coming weeks that intends to elevate these efforts so the profound impact on hundreds of thousands of lives each year can be enhanced.
Finchem also has asked players to become more aware of what individual tournaments are doing for their local charities and to look for opportunities to emphasize and support these efforts.
"We believe that it is important for all of us to acknowledge in every way we can the positive impact of our tournaments' charitable initiatives, which are supported by their outstanding sponsors and volunteers," Finchem said. "The work they do truly is remarkable and too often is underappreciated on a broad, national scale. We plan to refocus our efforts to tell the stories of how they are changing people's lives, as well as position ourselves for future growth when the economy improves."
BIRDIES FOR CHARITY RAISE BIG BUCKS AT PEBBLE BEACH (posted on Feb. 10, 2009)
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Hunter Mahan and J.J. Henry were the big winners in Tuesday's Birdies for Charity Shootout at Pebble Beach, as the duo earned two skins and $30,000 for the Hospice of Santa Cruz County. The team of Parker McLachlin and defending AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am champion Steve Lowery won one skin worth $10,000 for the SPCA of Monterey County.
The other two teams participating in the Shootout were Jonathan Byrd and Charles Warren, who were playing for Beacon House, and Brad Faxon and Scott McCarron, who were playing for Jacob's Heart. Those charities received $1,000 each for being represented in the competition.
The Shootout consisted of five holes at Pebble Beach -- Nos. 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18. The final skin, worth $26,000, came down to the par-5 18th hole. Faxon appeared to have won it with a birdie putt, but McLachlin managed to halve the hole with the last putt of the competition.
That forced a chip-off for all eight players. Byrd hit the first chip within 16 inches, but Henry's chip, the seventh of the chip-off, landed just inside of Byrd's ball.
"That was a lot of fun," Henry said. "You couldn't ask for a better day or a better cause."
On Wednesday, the tournament's charity events continue with the 3M Celebrity Challenge, which will include such celebrities as actor Bill Murray and singer Huey Lewis. -- Mike McAllister
BIG EVENT, BIG DONATIONS (posted on Jan. 27, 2009)
The atmosphere at the FBR Open resembles an NFL game, as thousands of fans pack the stands around the 16th hole.
Known as the "Greatest Show on Grass", the FBR Open attracts more people than any event on TOUR and is the largest event in the Phoenix area. Last year, more than 538,000 people attended the tournament.
With that many patrons, it's no wonder that the tournament also gives more to charity than most events on the PGA TOUR. For example, the $8,652,542 million raised in charitable donations in 2008 was the largest amount ever announced by a PGA TOUR event and is $800,000 more than The Thunderbirds and FBR Open donated in 2007 ($7.8 million).
Since October 2003, when FBR became the title sponsor of the event, The Thunderbirds and the FBR Open have raised more than $33.6 million for charities ($33,633,470). Recent beneficiaries have included Homeward Bound, The First Tee, Arizona Special Olympics, Valley of the Sun United Way, Valley Boys and Girls Clubs and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona.
But they also have a unique promotion that helps people in the Phoenix area. The Thunderbirds and United Blood Services have joined together to offer anyone in Arizona who donated blood in January a free ticket to the FBR Open. This initiative, now in its sixth year, provides donors with a one-day voucher that can be used at the tournament's main gate.
FRIENDS OF HAWAII CHARITIES (posted on Jan. 12, 2009)
This week's Sony Open in Hawaii is the principal fund-raising event for Friends of Hawaii Charities. After 10 years of giving, Friends of Hawaii Charities has become a friend to many youth, women, elderly and needy in Hawaii.
In 2009, Friends' charitable distributions reaches over $9 million extending benefit to over 350 Hawaii not-for-profit organizations. These groups qualified for financial grants by implementing vital projects in communities across Hawaii that support the Friends' objective of meeting needs among Hawaii's women, youth, elderly and those who lack the basics.
The scope of benefit to the not-for-profit community doubled in 2000 when an official charity partnership was formed with The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. to match funds raised by Friends at the Sony Open. The shared mission of the two organizations has produced significant impact for thousands of Hawaii residents.
The following is information on three select charities:
• River of Life Mission. At the edge of Chinatown in downtown Honolulu rescues, River of Life Mission rehabilitates, reintegrates and restores the broken through a Christ-centered, relationship-oriented belief in the Christian faith. They serve over 300 individuals daily from all walks of life.
• Hopeful Hearts and Giving Hands. A grass-roots community outreach spearheaded by Hope Chapel Ko'olauloa, puts faith into action to serve the burgeoning needs on Oahu's North Shore. Working out of a trailer behind Kahuku Medical Center, Project Coordinator Sherry Martinez and her band of volunteers set up tents to distribute dry and canned goods, fruits and vegetables, supplies, and clothing to the community.
• Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Mobile Homeless Outreach. Provides West O'ahu residents with resources like food, clothing and employment guidance along with medical services. The WCCHC mobile van makes weekly visits to beach and park areas along the Waianae Coast.
Last September, The Friends Club enlisted PGA TOUR pro and Punahou School alum Parker McLachlin as its community ambassador. McLachlin's role as community Ambassador is designed to strengthen the Club's charity fund-raising profile and efforts.
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| Player | Events | Money |
 Tiger Woods
|
17 | $10,508,163 |
| Steve Stricker
|
22 | $6,332,636 |
| Phil Mickelson
|
18 | $5,332,755 |
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