Coral Springs, FL (November 16, 2010) – Caddy For A Cure, Inc., the non-profit program that offers golf fans a chance to be inside the ropes for a day to caddy for the world’s best golfers during official tournament weeks, is honored to announce a recent addition to its charitable giving. Beginning in 2011, Caddy For A Cure will be making donations to Birdies for the Brave (www.birdiesforthebrave.com), an initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR that raises funds and awareness for military homefront charities that provide programs and services to meet the specialized needs of service members and their families.
The Caddy For A Cure program offers its caddy opportunities from its website www.caddyforacure.com, where interested parties bid on the opportunity to caddy for a specific player and tournament. The auction winner spends the day with the player and their TOUR caddy on the driving range, putting green and golf course, watching each shot first-hand and experiencing the excitement of being part of a professional golf event. Caddy participation is fully tax deductible as allowed by law and 100% of auction proceeds are directed to charities, including the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave, and charities selected by each tournament, each participating player and each Tour.
Birdies for the Brave was created in 2005 by Phil and Amy Mickelson to support soldiers wounded in combat. Since then, the PGA TOUR has helped expand the program to include military appreciation activities during TOUR tournaments, including Birdies for the Brave military hospitality suites, military appreciation celebrations, and the opportunity for military members and their dependents to enjoy the tournament free of charge. Additionally, rehabilitative programs including the unique Adopt-A-Wounded Warrior program and fundraising efforts are conducted at the TOUR’s TPC Network of clubs – an effort that has raised more than $5.2 million for military homefront charities that are supported by TOUR players.
“It continues to amaze and humble me that our program we dreamed about 10 years ago as a way to help fight the horrible disease of Fanconi anemia and to support our U.S. military is alive and thriving,” said Russ Holden, Caddy For A Cure founder and veteran PGA TOUR caddy. “Through this great game of golf, we have been able to partner with many outstanding military organizations including the Navy Blue Angels Foundation, and support warriors on various levels. Contributing to Birdies for the Brave as one of our core charities is a perfect fit for us in that it touches multiple needs of our U.S. military men and women. We look forward to offering ‘caddy’ days inside the ropes for members of our military who have so bravely served our country.”
Stephen Kupcha, a former Navy SEAL who spearheads the TOUR’s community and military outreach initiatives, added, “It is so great to be able to tie together the Caddy For A Cure component and the fundraising efforts already supported by PGA TOUR players. Most of the TOUR players who support Birdies for the Brave have participated in the Caddy For A Cure initiative, including Phil Mickelson, Rory Sabbatini, Jerry Kelly, Boo Weekley and Corey Pavin. It’s a natural partnership and truly demonstrates that professional golf is more than just a group of incredibly talented players; it’s a team of caring individuals driven to touch lives, give back and make a difference.”
For more information, please visit caddyforacure.com or call 954-341-4600. Also, please visit our sponsors, Boo Weekley Apparel at www.booweekley.com, Sharpie pens at www.sharpie.com SpeedGel at www.speedgel.com and VedaloHD Sunglasses at www.vedalohd.com.
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