The nonprofit’s 2014, “Little Golf, Big Purpose” events to be played at two prominent Orlando area courses to raise funds for the future of the game. New in 2014, take part in the marathon at your home course, anywhere in the world! Show your support today.
Deltona, FL, May 11, 2014: “After the first two years of our 100 hole marathons and nearly $13,000 raised each of those two years, we are very hopeful that we will be able to have a very, very fruitful go at it in our 2014 campaign” Explains PGA Professional and Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development founder, Brendon Elliott. “It is indeed a very tough existence for nonprofit organizations in today’s day and age. Many people want to give but just don’t have the means to do so. Despite this, we are hopeful that the golf community will come out to support us, either by taking part, making a pledge, donating prizes or spreading the word” adds Elliott. “With the new twists to the events in 2014 in allowing PGA Professionals or individuals Nationwide to play at their home course and help us and their own local youth initiatives, as well as having local Central Florida high school golf teams split the proceeds they raise with us and their schools golf team and other new ways to help, we are hopeful that more will get involved” Elliott explains.
The Events
The “Little Golf, Big Purpose” 100 Hole Marathon had its inaugural event in 2012 at Orange Lake Resorts Legends Walk course. For 2013, the fundraising effort grew to a six event “series”. In 2014, the marathons will be played at the following Central Florida courses:
August 18th – Reunion Resort
August 23rd – Orange Lake Resort – Legends Walk Course
And NEW in 2014…
June 1st – August 31st – Your own home course, anywhere in the world, on any ONE day.
Those that choose to play will pledge to play 100 holes of golf at any of the locations listed above. You can play two balls for 50 holes should you prefer or three balls for 36 holes (108 holes). All those interested in playing will register through the http://littlelinksters.org/home/little-linksters/ website. Once registered, a participant will create their own personal fundraising showcase page. On this page they will find tools that will help them broadcast to the world their fundraising efforts and channel folks to their fundraising page where donations can be made. It is suggested that emailing friends, family and co-workers and broadcasting through social media is the best way to direct traffic to a participant’s personal page.
Donors will be able to contribute with credit card or Paypal directly to the participant and this cause. All money collection, thank you letters, and tax receipts are handled automatically online. All they need to do is go play some golf! All donations are 100% tax deductible and all donors will receive a tax receipt and thank you letter automatically through the website.
The fee for participation is $0 for anyone raising over $500. Otherwise the fee will be $50 at Orange Lake Resort or $65 at Reunion Resort. These fees must be paid by way of making a starting donation in the appropriate amount to the participant’s personal fundraising page. Those choosing to play their own course not directly affiliated with our events will need permission of the course and will be responsible for applicable course fees.
Top fundraisers can earn great prizes. Those prizes will be posted on the LittleLinksters.org website throughout the summer.
In 2013 prizes included:
• 2013 Solheim Cup Package (2 Ping Pavilion Weekly Passes, 2 Hats, Framed Commemorative Poster Signed by Captains Meg Mallon & Dottie Pepper)
• Two Weekly Ground Badges to the 2013 PGA Championship @ Oak Hill
• Two Weekly Grounds & Clubhouse Badges to the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational
• Two Weekly Badges to the 2014 Honda Classic
• 2 Hr Private Lesson w/ Sean Foley
• 1 Hr Private Lesson @ PGA Tour Academy @ Sawgrass w/ Director of Instruction Travis Fulton
• EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2014
• The Ultimate Fitting Experience! A Full Fitting @ The Taylormade Fitting Lab @ Grand Cypress
• The Ultimate Fitting Experience! A Full Fitting @ The Taylormade Fitting Lab @ Grand Cypress
• Optishot Home Golf Simulator
• NEW Nike VR S Driver
• NEW STX Putter
• NEW STX Putter
• Sundog Sunglasses from Paula Creamer Collection (3 Pair)
• Sundog Sunglasses from Men’s Core Golf Collection (3 Pair)
• Set of Golf Pride Grips
• Ashworth Shirts
• Signed Arnold Palmer Book
• Signed Tom Watson 2014 Ryder Cup Flag
• Rounds of Golf @ Various AWESOME Courses such as the Ritz Carlton (Orlando) & the Ritz Carlton Members Club (Sarasota) (COMPLETE LIST COMING SOON)
• The Littlest Golfer Inc. Gift Pack
• Orlando Magic Signed Team Ball
• My Mini Golf Club Set
• Restaurant Coupons (Orlando area)
An ever updating prize list for 2014 will be posted on the http://littlelinksters.org/home/little-linksters/ website very soon.
“We have more companies showing interest in donating prizes such as Cobra/ Puma and others. We are really looking for a few more major prizes such as golf vacations, golf school vacations, equipment, autographed items, restaurant certificates and more. Prizes that we do not give away at the end of the events will be auctioned off to help raise funds” Says Elliott.
How Businesses & Individuals Can Help …
“The Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development is also looking for Tee or Green sponsors for only $500, and that is good for signage at our two local events as well as website and social media exposure” explains Elliott. “We are also looking for one or two Title Sponsors for $5,000 each. We can provide complete details on the benefits to your business for showing such generosity to our mission should you become a title sponsor.”
If you are interested in helping, you can contact The Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development at nonprofit@littlelinksters.com or call 321-278-1612
You can also make an individual donation in the name of your business by going to the following link: http://littlelinksters.org/home/little-linksters/2013/players/brendon-elliott/
“We were very pleased in 2013 to have had Mr. Raymond Floyd donate $5 a hole and Mr. Gary Player, through his Foundation donate $10 a hole” said Elliott “We hope to gain more support in 2014 from the likes of individuals like Mr. Floyd & Mr. Player”
NEW for 2014 …
Scholastic Golf Team Players or Supporters
High School Golf teams and their supporters can help Little Linksters too and raise money for their teams at the same time!
All those registering as scholastic golf team players or supporters agree to the following:
Anyone representing a scholastic golf team will need to indicate their allegiance in the registration process. We need to know where to send your money! They may select any of the provided golf courses on the dates listed, or if preferable, the team may decide to play at their home course.
Net proceeds will be distributed as follows:
50% – To your team
50% – To Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development (501c3)
PGA Member & Apprentice Program (Now Nationwide)
PGA Members and apprentices nationwide can help in the Little Linksters fundraising mission. In doing so, you can help your own PGA Section in the process.
Anyone representing a PGA Section other than the North Florida Section PGA will need to indicate their allegiance in the registration process. We need to know where to send your money! You may select any of the provided golf courses on the dates listed, or if preferable, you may decide to play at your home course, or wherever you like.
Register your fundraising page through the LittleLinksters.org website (click Player Registration at the top left of the main website homepage: http://littlelinksters.org/home/little-linksters/), then let everyone know about your efforts. We suggest emailing and broadcasting through social media to direct traffic to your personal page. Donors will be able to contribute with credit card or Paypal directly to you and your cause.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and all donors will receive a tax receipt and thank you letter automatically through the website.
All players raising over $500 will be eligible for 8 MSR Points and complimentary green fees during your marathon at either of our local participating golf courses. Otherwise, green fee for Orange Lake Resort is $50 and Reunion Resort will be $65. Alternatively, you may elect to play any golf course on any day you choose between June 1st & August 31st, subject to whatever green fee that particular golf course will charge (if any).
Net proceeds will be distributed as follows:
50% – To your home PGA Section for Junior Golf related initiatives
50% – To Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development (501c3)
Little Linksters NEW Scholarship Program …
The Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development is very happy to announce their new “Scholarship” program! Parents, Grandparents and friends of children ages three to eight that want to take part in Little Linksters programming can also raise money through this fundraising site in 2013. The money raised for the children will be earmarked for them to use towards Little Linksters instruction programs and the Little Linksters “Tour” series.
Anyone engaging the Little Linksters fundraising website for the purpose of raising scholarship money will need to indicate such in the registration process. You or your child will not need to play in the 100 hole marathons, therefore you will not need to select a golf course.
Once a child is registered and their personal fundraising page is set, let everyone know about your efforts! We suggest emailing and broadcasting through social media to direct traffic to your child’s personal page. Donors will be able to contribute with credit card or Paypal directly to you and your Little Linksters participation fees.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and all donors will receive a tax receipt and thank you letter automatically through the website.
Funds raised will be distributed as follows:
All net proceeds go to your child’s own Little Linkster account
Other stipulations include:
• Money raised for a scholarship student can be used for any Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development program or tour event.
• Unused donations raised for each student can be transferred to another child that would like to join in our programming.
• Any monies raised for a scholarship student that is not used or transferred to another student after one year will be used to support other program costs.
More about the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development & PGA Professional, Brendon Elliott
Organization Overview
Since July of 2008, the Little Linksters Golf program has brought the game of golf to a typically non- traditional sect of the golfing population; the “Pee-Wee” Golfer (Ages 3-8). The Little Linksters Golf Program is a great introduction to the game of golf for all children in this age group. The program is taught in a fun and interactive way using a combination of both traditional golf instruction methods and very non-traditional ways. The bottom line with the Little Linksters program is FUN!
The program is run by PGA Golf Professional Brendon Elliott. Brendon was the former General Manager/Head Golf Professional at the historic Winter Park Country Club which is located in downtown Winter Park, FL. Elliott was with WPCC for 13 years. He resigned from his position in July of 2011 to focus solely on the expansion of Little Linksters. Brendon, along with his wife Melisa are the owners of Little Linksters, LLC and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development which is their 501c3 Non-Profit organization. The home office of the company is in Deltona, FL.
In August of 2011, in a second phase of expansion, the Little Linksters Golf Academy @ Metrowest Golf Club located in Orlando, FL was opened. The Academy was later moved to Wekiva Golf Club in Longwood, FL in September of 2013 in order to fall in line with Elliott’s new position at the Golf Academy of America campus in Apopka, FL.
The Little Linksters “mobile” program which is ran by the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, has been in play at various daycare centers, schools, golf courses and municipalities throughout Central Florida since July of 2008. Since then, the expansion of the program has continuously been in the works. In early 2010 Little Linksters re-branded, created an easy to follow program guide/coloring book, registered and protected the name “Little Linksters” and started planning for an eventual “National Program.” The time frame to launch the “National Program” will be sometime in mid 2015.
The two parts of the “Little Linksters” business entities include Little Linksters, LLC (for profit) and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development (501c3).
Little Linksters LLC oversees the following:
• The Little Linksters Golf Academy at Wekiva Golf Club (Private Lessons)
• In-Home lessons
• Online Instruction
• Sales of the Little Linksters Coloring Book
• Consulting
Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development (501c3) oversees the following:
• The Little Linksters “Mobile” Program (At locations throughout Central FL)
• The NEW Little Linksters G.O.A.L.S. Program (For children with special needs)
• The Little Linksters “Tour” Series
• The Best Pee Wee Swing in the World Video Contest
• Soon to launch “National Certification Program”
• Speaking on and Promoting Junior Golf for younger kids
The goal of Little Linksters, LLC and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development is to provide children ages three years to eight years of age with quality introductory golf instruction and to expose them to all of the wonderful life lessons that the wonderful game of golf teaches everyone. Although Little Linksters target group is children ages three through eight, the company does not limit itself solely to those age groups. Additionally, Little Linksters strives to be a leader in the “Pee-Wee” golf arena and aims to provide tools and information to all PGA Professionals, educators, parents and now, Golf Academy of America students that share in their vision.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott:
Elliott has been named a 2010, 2011 & 2012 US Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teacher, a 2013 US Kids Golf Master Kids Teacher, a 2012 and 2013 Top 50 Growth of the Game Instructor as named by the Golf Range Association of America, the 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 ECC Junior Golf Leader, the 2014 ECC Horton Smith Award winner and the 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 NFPGA Junior Golf Leader award winner. He was also a finalist for the PGA’s National Junior Leader award in 2012 and 2013.
Little Linksters was also named the 2013 ING Player Development Award winner in January of 2014 at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
Brendon has appeared in or been a contributor for numerous golf media articles with publications such as Golf Business magazine and PGA Magazine. His contributions have included topics ranging from Social Media to Junior Golf. He was a guest on the Golf Channels Morning Drive in April of 2013 along with Dottie Pepper and Alan Wronowski. The threesome spoke on many different junior golf initiatives that are available to children of all ages. You can see a clip of my appearance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUaLx2p7tO8
Elliott has become a sought out speaker on Junior Golf with a focus on children ages 8 and under. He spoke at the 2012 Proponent Group Annual Conference in October of 2012 which was held at Cog Hill Golf Club near Chicago. The event was held in conjunction with the 2012 Ryder Cup. Elliott spoke at the 2013 Southeastern Junior Golf Summit at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta on November 4, 2013. Recently, Elliott joined 2013 PGA & LPGA Junior Golf Leader award winner Nicole Weller as a presenter at the 2014 PGA Youth & Family Golf Summit held during the week of the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL.
Elliott is the President of the East Central Chapter of the NFPGA Section. He is a NFPGA Section Board member, the Chairman of the ECC Junior Golf Committee as well as the NFPGA Junior Golf Committee and a member of the PGA of America’s 2012-2014 National Youth Player Development Committee and the 2012-2014 Public Relations & Communications Committee.
If you are a business or individual interested in become a sponsor or partner you can go here: http://littlelinksters.com/new-partnership-opportunities/
If you would like more information about the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, please contact Brendon R. Elliott, PGA at 321-278-1612 or email at nonprofit@LittleLinksters.com.
Little Linksters, LLC, is the owner of Federal Trademark Registration No. 3853143, as well as the owner and licensee of other pending trademark applications, copyrights and other intellectual property, relating to the trademark LITTLE LINKSTERS. Our company uses LITTLE LINKSTERS in the United States and around the world in conjunction with GOLF INSTRUCTION SERVICES and golf instruction services for children.
Contact:
Contact: Brendon Elliott
Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development
Phone 321-278-1612
NonProfit@LittleLinksters.com
PO Box 6384
Deltona, FL
Phone 386-532-9639
www.LittleLinksters.com
