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Issue: # 11
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February 6th, 2008
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OUR PROUD PARTNERS
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ENDORSEMENTS
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JOHN HARMON CADDIES FOR PHIL MICKELSON, DREAM COMES TRUE
In what proved to be a dream of a golfing lifetime come true, Arizona resident John Harmon had the experience of a lifetime at the recent FBR Open put on by the Thunderbirds.
There are few words that can describe what it is like to walk up to the first tee with the World's #2 ranked golfer's bag on your shoulder with throngs of people looking on. Nervous? Three minutes with golf legend Phil Mickelson and super nice guy Jim "Bones" MacKay puts those butterflies to rest.
We all know Phil Mickelson is clearly one of the best golfers to ever walk the PGA TOUR fairways, and that infectious smile is always quick to appear, but what few people really know about Phil is what absolutely terrific guys both he and Bones are. Case in point:
Of course, on John's big day he brought his family along to watch the once in a lifetime experience first-hand. He brought along his wife Mistie, daughter Mikayla, son Cody, and dear friend Sean to witness the day. As is the case with Caddy For A Cure, Phil and John chatted all the way around TPC Scottsdale and once Phil got wind that John's family was there, he went overboard! Phil asked Bones after the 18th hole to run to the car and get a gift for Mikayla and Cody. We expected maybe a hat? Nope. Bones returned with TWO MASTERS flags which Phil personalized with a great message to each kid. Wow!
This was of course after Bones had invited the family "inside the ropes" to walk up the 18th fairway with them. Certainly the things that dreams are made of.
When it came time to take the photo of Phil and John together, Phil INSISTED that the family be involved. Do you think Cody and Mikayla will ever forget this? Who do you think their favorite PGA TOUR player of all time is?
We can tell you that while this was an incredibly terrific day, we could not help but think while watching this unfold how many people it was going to help as a result of Phil's willingness to get involved in the program. I thought of Greg Rita, our pal and caddie great sitting at home with a brain tumor and how this money raised will help him and many others like him sharing similar plights. It was a great day for the Harmon's indeed, but it was a much greater day for golf without question.
Have you ever thought about coming out on the PGA TOUR and caddying for a day? Ask John Harmon if he had a good time. It will take years for the memories of this day to wear out for John. Why don't you give it a try yourself? You will be helping multitudes of people as a result.
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CADDY FOR A CURE TO PAY HOMAGE
TO BRAVE WOUNDED WARRIORS
In what should prove to be one incredible day in the history of Caddy For A Cure, several wounded veterans within the Wounded Warrior program will participate along with the Caddy For A Cure winners at the Verizon Heritage in April.
We will have Defending Champion Boo Weekley, Woody Austin, and Frank Lickliter II, plus maybe a few more PGA TOUR superstars participating at Harbour Town. I liked what Frank told me last year when we were talking about doing this: "These brave men and women loved the game before their injuries, what makes you think they don't still love the game now?"
He was right. The Wounded Warrior Program is going to find some very lucky and avid golf fans within their ranks and we will figure out a way to get them involved with the caddy process. They will for certain get to experience some "up close and personal" opportunities with the best players in the world.
While it is a feeble attempt to say thanks to these incredibly wonderful soldiers, it is our way of joining a nation in saluting them and letting them know we appreciate our freedom. Please, mark your calendars for these bag sales. If you ever wanted to be a part of something you will never forget, come to one of the best places on the PGA TOUR and participate in the coolest thing in golf April 15th!
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MICHAEL BROWN CADDIES FOR VIJAY SINGH
"Hey Bro, let me have that 5 iron." Michael Brown flew all the way from New York to Phoenix last week to experience one of the best days in his entire life with Vijay Singh. Vijay was his impeccable playful self and treated Michael and wife Jennifer to some of the best shotmaking skills the game has ever seen. At dinner that night, Michael was literally stunned at what a terrific guy Vijay was and how wonderful he was to be with. Vijay is known for having the HEAVIEST bag on the PGA TOUR. Michael went all.....well......he went a long way before letting regular PGA TOUR caddy Chad Reynolds take over, epitomizing the beauty of Caddy For A Cure!
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CADDY FOR A CURE COMING TO FLORIDA!
HONDA CLASSIC AND WGC-CA CHAMPIONSHIP
Caddy For A Cure is coming to Florida for the first time and what better way to kick this off than at the famed PGA National and the Honda Classic? Rich with tradition going back decades, the Honda is once again reaching its rightful position as one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR. With the "Bear Trap" and 17th hole rivaling the FBR's 16th hole, this is an excellent place to have your shot at caddying. With the addition of PGA TOUR winner and incredibly nice guy Ben Crane, former Honda Classic Champion as well as Open Champion Todd Hamilton, and also the Funkster, Fred Funk, the Honda will be a huge time for some lucky golf fan. Highlighting the Honda Caddy For A Cure event is World # 7 ranked Justin Rose.
Fresh off his EUROPEAN PGA TOUR Order of Merit title for the 2007 season and a victory at the prestigious Volvo Masters, Justin will be on hand at PGA National to treat some lucky fan to the day of their golf life. Superstar caddie Mick Doran will also escort the PGA TOUR Superstar around the great golf course as well.
Superstars will also abound at the WGC-CA Championship in Miami at Doral and Caddy For A Cure has come up with some of the best in the world for the event. PGA Champion David Toms, World Ranked #3 Steve Stricker, and PGA TOUR winner and rising superstar Aaron Baddeley head the list. How cool will it be to walk up the famed "Blue Monster" on #18 in front of all those people carrying one of these great player's bag? Very.
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CADDY FOR A CURE MOURNS LOSS OF FELLOW CADDY STEVE DUPLANTIS
Steve Duplantis was a cool guy. He was really liked by all of the caddies out on the PGA TOUR and always had something to say that had a profound impact and meant something nice.
His devastating car accident a few weeks ago in San Diego and subsequent death still has chilling memories as he left behind a wonderful 12 year old girl and a host of friends and family. This terrible accident reminded us again last week at the FBR Open of one of the reasons that Caddy For A Cure has pressed on. We donate 25% of all bag sale proceeds to the PGA TOUR Caddie Benevolent Fund. We are caddies helping caddies when it comes right down to it. We know that the PGA TOUR reaches out to situations like this as no other professional sports organization in the world does. The "Giving Back" PGA TOUR intitiative is second to none with well over 1-billion dollars having been given out to charities.
We know you join us in giving our deepest sympathies and regrets to Steve's family and friends.
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ASIAN AMERICAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCES
"BATTLE AT THE BADLANDS"
The Asian American Golf Association (AAGA TM) and AAGolf Magazine have announced their upcoming event in May at Troon Golf's Badlands Golf Club in Las Vegas.
In what should prove to be an extraordinary time for this inaugural three-day extravaganza, the AAGA TM will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Caddy For A Cure.
This epitomizes the worldwide influence of Caddy For A Cure and some of its PGA TOUR participants like recent Hawaiian Open Champion KJ Choi. The world of golf is shrinking and barriers are being broken each day as golfers of all nationalities share this common bond of the great game of golf.
"We felt that Caddy For A Cure was a wonderful concept and idea from people that we knew we could trust. Being the hub of ALL things Asian in American golf, it was important to us that we associate ourselves with a charity that has worldwide recognition and worldwide support. We are looking forward to a long and lasting partnership with Caddy For A Cure and the Asian American Golf Association" said Tuan Schneider, AAGA TM Chief Operating Officer and Vice President recently at the Orlando PGA Show. He continued, "The numerous charities that the Caddy For A Cure program reaches had a distinct difference to us over the many charities we reviewed to form a partnership with. Our many members insist on nothing but an impeccable charity and we believe we have found that in Caddy For A Cure."
Please click on the link above for more information and to be directed to the AAGA.US site for entry forms for the tournament. Mark this date, it is going to be a spectacular event!
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Is it really a brand new season of golf, fun, excitement already? While it may be snowing in parts of this country, we are hard at work planning events for the upcoming exciting venues on the PGA TOUR.
It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful the players are on the PGA TOUR. These players are at the pinnacle of their sport. They are the best of the very best in the entire world. They are the Lebron James', they are Josh Beckett's, they are Eli Manning's of the world. And yet, they cannot say yes fast enough to allow their bag to be carried by an amateur from the golf world for a day for charity. Case in point is terrific guy and incredible golfer Justin Rose.
Justin lost his dear Father Ken a few years ago and has a tremendous heart for helping in any way he can. Here is a rising at mach speed young superstar and he has the integrity to say "yes" and say it quickly to help all these people in need. That brilliant smile of Justin's above with Fanconi Anemia patient and National Spokesperson Christian Collins is for real.
Phil Mickelson took about 3 minutes to hear the story of Caddy For A Cure, listen to who it would help, and say "YES." The list goes on, and on, and on.
Going into our 5th year and reaching out to millions of people has has an incredible effect on many. If you are thinking that this is something you would like to experience, try it. Sign up and make the effort to do it. Not ONE of our many, many past winners will tell you that this was anything but the day of a lifetime.
I look forward to seeing YOU on the bag sometime soon.
Sincerely
Russ Holden
Caddy for a Cure Founder
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