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Issue: # 6
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August 13th, 2007
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WE PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS
(Click logo to see sites)
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CADDY FOR A CURE PRESSES ON
Many of you read a few days ago about Christian Collin's first experience on the PGA TOUR at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational last week. We had reported how Christian had set the golf world on fire with his presence at the famed Firestone Country Club, and some of the exciting things that had happened to him.
We would like to update that report and let you know that World Ranked #2 Jim Furyk has kept his word and has been texting back and forth all week with Christian, and Mr. Furyk has a new #1 fan. Even during a Major, the PGA Championship in Tulsa, Jim is still found time to reach out. That is why the PGA TOUR and the game of golf are so great. They care.
A PGA TOUR player has contacted us that participated in the program wanting to help and do it again. Padraig Harrington, the current Open Champion, said count him in again to participate.
Our goal, when we started this wonderful concept of caddying for the day for one of the world's best, was to raise awareness of this horrible disease called Fanconi Anemia. Through your own caring to simply receive this newsletter, and through the courage of our Spokesperson Christian Collins, and the complete support of the PGA TOUR and it's players, more people are learning about Fanconi Anemia than ever before.
When the current Masters Champion drops his work right in the middle of a practice regimen that earned him a green jacket to meet a boy like Christian, that sure says a lot of what we all can do to help as well.
We applaud each and every one of you who read this, and appreciate the effort in doing so.
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MIKE SHANAFELT CADDIES FOR NEWLY CROWNED
OPEN CHAMPION
PADRAIG HARRINGTON
Mike Shanafelt certainly has the luck of the Irish. He won the right to caddy for Open Champion and fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington last week at Firestone Country Club
Who could have ever known how exciting this would be as when he bought the bag, Padraig was "just" a world class golfer and Ryder Cup superstar. He was not the Open Champion yet.
Similar to earlier Caddy for a Cure winner Martin Pinckney who won the right to caddy for Masters Champion Zach Johnson, Mike won the caddy lotto when he watched the golf at Carnoustie that Sunday morning. And, he got the dream of anyone who wants to be inside the ropes being with Padraig fresh off his victory and drinking Guinness out of the Claret Jug
Fans, camera's, news reporters were everywhere as Padraig was swarmed with attention, everyone wanting to get a glimpse of the new golf world hero. Mike did an awesome job caddying and never missed a beat with Ronan Flood, Padraig's regular caddy, helping Mike out along the way.
 It is not every day that a regular golf fan comes "inside the ropes," but then also thrust into the high profile world of professional golf. Mike handled it like a pro. Being interviewed above by The Golf Channel, who have been so kind to Caddy for a Cure, Mike answered questions on camera and joked with Padraig on camera like he had been doing it for years.
Another big winner this week was Dave Kornides, who drove in from Latrobe, Pennsylvania to caddy for long time favorite Davis Love III. Dave had no idea when he signed up for Caddy for a Cure that he would not only get to caddy for his hero, but also do it in the same group with the Open Champion! Davis and Padraig decided to make up a game on the range and Dave was the big winner. As always, Caddy for a Cure provided badges for Dave's family and the day ended with a wonderful family shot with one of the greats of all time.
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CADDY FOR A CURE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT:
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
Caddy for a Cure is proud to have the Make A Wish Foundation as its PGA TOUR player gift from PGA Champion Shaun Micheel as a result of his participation in the Tiger Woods ATT National recently.
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 144,000 children around the world.
Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.
A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.
As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.
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DAVID FEHERTY ENDORSES CADDY FOR A CURE!
Caddy for a Cure is proud to announce the creation of its first Television Commercial and the endorsement of CBS Announcer David Feherty. Thanks to Flying Saucer Films Randy Martin for producing the wonderful piece, and also to Richard Oates for the compelling music.
David Feherty, while always the comedian when doing his normal role with CBS adding humor where there once was none, certainly "got it" when asked to help. He did the piece gratis and we think he did an "over the top" job in describing what we do and for whom.
If you were ever thinking of doing anything with TV or a commercial or anything like this, we would HIGHLY encourage you to check out Randy Martin and Flying Saucer Films, they are brilliant.
To watch the commercial on YouTube, CLICK HERE.
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 JOE MOORE CADDIES FOR PGA CHAMPION SHAUN MICHEEL
Russ and
Colleen:
As a lawyer I pride myself on
being able to use language effectively to describe accidents, events, etc., but
the only word I can think of to describe my day with Shaun and, his caddie,
Tony, is "indescribable." There are no words to explain how incredible my day
with them was. From the moment we met on the practice green, I felt as though
Shaun's and Tony's only purpose for his practice round was to make my day
special, and they certainly did. I loved being "inside the ropes," carrying the
(not as heavy as I thought it would be) bag and watching Shaun play one of the
finest courses in the world.
Shaun is obviously
one of the world's best golfers, but he is also a true gentleman. The way he
treated me, my wife Jennifer, and our 11-month old son Jacob was truly
unforgettable. I can't wait to tell Jacob when he's older that the 2003 PGA
Champion was making him laugh and giving him hi-fives!!! Likewise, Tony went
out of his way to ensure that my "caddying" experience was unforgettable and
that Jenn and Jacob had a great time too.
Please pass my
thanks on to Shaun and Tony for an experience of a lifetime. I also want to
thank you, Russ and Colleen, for all that you did to make my day so smooth and
enjoyable and for founding Caddy for a Cure. It felt awesome to not only spend
a day "inside the ropes" with a true golf champion but also to know that our
donation was going to such wonderful charities. Caddy for a Cure is an awesome
organization, and I can't wait to participate again soon!! Thanks again,
Joe Moore |
I remember the first time I caddied for Bernhard Langer in 1991 at Crooked Stick Golf Club at the PGA Championship like it was yesterday. Even after the hundreds of rounds out on Tour in a multitude of places around the world with the best players, I still remember.
I also remember the first time I laid eyes on Christian Collins. It was in my office as golf professional at Woodfield Country Club. His mother Susan brought him in and took him out of the basket she was using and laid him in my arms. I was petrified to look at him. Being blessed at the time with two very healthy children and being so close to the Collins family, it was extremely disturbing to know that I was going to see some very difficult things. When we opened up the blanket and she pulled Christian out, if there was ever a thing called "love at first sight," it was then. Even as a baby, while his body was not perfect, you could tell this boy was special. He captivated me. You could say Caddy for a Cure was born this day. I knew I wanted to do something, in some way, that would help other families never have to deal with this pain.
I remember the necessary bone marrow transplant in Berlin, the nearly year long stay in the hospital, the steroids blowing him up like a balloon. I remember how Chris and Susan made it through somehow on transatlantic flights away from the rest of their family caring for Christian.
I should be used to it by now but it always strikes me when I see other people's reaction to Christian the first time. The above picture is from one of the best caddies ever in the game, and most famous. He is Mike "Fluff" Cowan and this picture says it all. Fanconi Anemia is not a well known disease, but it only takes one family and one glimpse to realize that it is lethal. And you will want to help. Fluff could not spend enough time with Christian, joked with him, played with him, laughed with him.
Humbly, I ask you to think about giving to Caddy for a Cure. We are spreading the word and helping families that otherwise would not have been helped, all the time insuring the time of people's golf life. If you work for a corporation and are in a position of authority, would you consider becoming a sponsor? Would you go to your company and ask what they could give to participate with us? Every bit helps. Contact me if you have an idea.
One look at Christian and you will understand the passion that drives Caddy for a Cure.
Sincerely
Russ Holden
Caddy for a Cure Founder
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