Sorry for the late post this week but we were busy on Monday with a fundraiser for autism at Century Country Club in New York.
Philip Mintz, a member at Century and also down here at The Bears Club approached me earlier this year about holding an event and we have the same goals in common with both of our families affected by autism. There aren’t too many spare dates on Tour but we thought the Monday after The Barclays would be great.
We were blessed with the turnout and had some great MET area (from the NY/NJ Metropolitan area) pros that Philip knows and invited. They represented some great clubs and I really appreciate them giving their time. I also have to thank the PGA TOUR pros for coming. Some guys have done every single event we have put on – Greg Chalmers, Will McGirt, Cliff Kresge to name a few, which is an amazing commitment. We also had some who have supported us before like current US Open Champ Martin Kaymer, Ryan Palmer, Brett Quigley and Michelle McGann, alongside new guys playing like Bill Haas, David Hearn, Luke Guthrie, Dana Quigley, Andy Svoboda, Jamie Lovemark and Danny Balin.
The event is played at a great pace followed by a lunch and the prize giving with some great donated prizes, plus a brief auction. We always try and make sure the golf is fun but no more than four hours! Flexjet put a plane on to take the pros to Boston and it was a fun event and I hope we can continue to build on this year after year.
The amateurs that took part were amazingly philanthropic and I think took a lot of new information away with them about autism and what the Center of Excellence will do. Our programming director, Dr. Marlene Sotelo, made a great speech to explain how the Center will help people on a local, national and international level.
This is exciting stuff, the dream is becoming a reality and every single person who has played or helped us will have their name ingrained in this project and they will forever be linked as integral to making it a reality.
We really want those at the Center and beyond to have the best life possible and live to their maximum potential. That is why we have insisted that the Center have first class facilities. For example, Greg Letsche, from my team at Ernie Els Design, and I will be designing a small short game facility at the Center. Not only will it be a fun health-focused area for the students that will enhance their motor skills and special awareness but it will also be a physical space that will need maintenance and upkeep and will provide an opportunity for on-the-job learning and training so that some of the students will be able to work here moving forward. This is just one example of how we want this to be truly integrated into the community, providing jobs and opportunities.
Obviously we have other events that help us get to our goal. We are closing out the Golf Challenge and with Hazeltine being played this Monday we only have four more events in the schedule. I know some are sold out but there is still space at our Austin, TX event, which is hosted by my good friend and PGA Champion Rich Beem. If your team raises over $13,000 you will be on your way to the Finale in Las Vegas in October. It is always a great couple of days making new friends and old acquaintances alike.
Then into 2015 we will be looking forward to our 7th Annual Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado Pro-am in March down here in Florida. It is amazing to think this event has been going for seven years but it is one that fits nicely into the Florida Swing and we have had some great winners over the years, with Michelle Wie being the last champion.
After the event at Century we flew back down to Florida with Liezl, my Dad and my nephew. I am heading off to Boston now for the Deutsche Bank and looking forward to another week in the playoffs. This tournament supports the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is doing wonderful things for kids. It is great to see the power that golf can have to help improve the lives of people that need it most.
Thanks again to everyone for their support, it really does make a difference.
That’s it for now!
