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Issue: # 13
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March 27th, 2008
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OUR PROUD PARTNERS
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100% of Charity Auction Sales
goes to:
25%
Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
25%
PGA TOUR Caddie Benevolent Fund
25%
PGA TOUR Player Charity
25%
PGA TOUR Host Site Charity
(click to go to main site)
National Spokesperson
&
Fanconi Anemia Patient
Christian Collins
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Friends
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STREAK ENDS FOR TIGER
CADDY FOR A CURE CONTINUES WINNING WAYS
Jon Huzarsky flew down from New York last week to have the day of his life at Doral with World Ranked # 4 Steve Stricker. Steve and his world class caddie Tom Mitchell treated Jon to a most memorable day on the famed "Blue Monster."
Joining Jon in this spectacular day were three other winners: Trent Gilfoil from California caddied for Aaron Baddeley; Scott Sanders from Wisconsin caddied for Jim Furyk; and Floridian Stuart Lestch carried for U.S. Open Champion Angel Cabrera.
It was Stuart Lestch, though, who may have been the story of the day. This 67-year young retired doctor carried all the way round for the reigning U.S. Open Champ. Joined by Angel's long-time caddie and Big Break star, Eddie Gardino, Stuart was very impressive in his PGA TOUR caddy debut.
Trent Gilfoil had not only the luxury of watching "Badds" up-close hitting it perfectly all day, he also got to walk side-by-side with Aaron's coaches Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer. These "Stack and Tilt" coaches have dozens of students on the PGA TOUR and may be two of the nicest guys around, openly sharing their expertise with Trent. That's worth a trip from California!
It's just not every day you can hang out with the 5th best golfer in the world, laughing and fooling around like it was a Saturday morning nassau, but Scott Sanders and his good friend Tom Jared did just that with Jim Furyk. Jim, by the way, finished the week tied for 2nd!
Doral was also the first PGA TOUR appearance of our National Spokesperson and Fanconi anemia patient, Christian Collins. Unsurprisingly, the local media picked right up on it. And why not? When these great PGA TOUR players commit themselves to helping others, and generous people are willing to donate to carry player's bags, with ALL of it going to a great cause, isn't this the kind of stuff we want and need to see by the media?
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BID NOW TO CADDY WITH A WOUNDED WARRIOR
FOR A PGA TOUR PLAYER AT VERIZON HERITAGE CLASSIC
Whether you are a fan of the war or not (who is for that matter), you certainly must be a fan of the many brave men and women who have given so much to fight for our freedom. On April 15th at the Verizon Heritage Classic you can have the opportunity of a lifetime to not only see the skills of these great players, walking side-by-side with them on the golf course, but to do it with some great men and women.
Join Woody Austin, Justin Leonard, Boo Weekley, and Sean O'Hair on what will certainly be a most inspirational day. If these warriors, missing limbs and torn from battle can make it around, can't you?
If you can't make it, please tell your friends. Let's REALLY support our troops!
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FOCUS ON FANCONI
MySpace.com is one really cool place. You can meet all kinds of people that have specific areas of interest by typing in a few key words. When we started our Caddy For A Cure page, devoted to Fanconi anemia, we found many friends that knew well the devastating effects of the disease.
We had the distinct pleasure of meeting nine year old Nicholas Boggs.
Nicholas was mis-diagnosed with TAR syndrome at birth and was not properly tested for Fanconi anemia by a hematologist until just prior to hand surgery several years later. His platelets had dropped from 132K to 116K. He was sent to the wonderful doctors at Cincinnati Children's FA Comprehensive Center and finally received care from expert doctors in FA.
As his bone marrow has failed, Nicholas has been susceptible to numerous infections and other sicknesses. He was hospitalized with pneumonia which began his lengthy dependence on transfusions. He was receiving new platelets every two weeks and red cells once a month which has now increased to new platelets each week and red cells every three weeks.
In 2006, Nicholas's parents were told that he would have a 90% chance of having a fatal lung infection during a necessary Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). A BMT would correct his failing bone marrow, restoring it to new life. The one thing he needs to live, he cannot have.
Through this all, Nicholas has continued to be a pure angel. Never complaining, and actually thinking it is a treat to go get his transfusion! He is a champion bear hugger as well as a butterfly kisser!
Nicholas has a wonderful brother named Spencer who loves to aggravate him as brothers love to do, but would also fight a lion over him, as well. He worries about him and thinks of him constantly, never failing to buy a gift when he is out. He gets our vote for Best Brother in the world.
Do yourself a real favor today. Stop what you are doing for a moment. Turn up your speakers. Turn off your phones. Just give yourself a treat for 1 minute. Watch the best video from one of the sweetest kids in the world, Nicholas Boggs. Then, send it to (3) of your best friends and simply pray.
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ZACH JOHNSON TO JOIN CADDY FOR A CURE AT AT&T NATIONAL
Over the past few weeks, Caddy For A Cure has added some serious PGA TOUR star power to the 2008 line up of events. Current Masters Champion Zach Johnson said Tiger Woods' AT&T National event at Congressional would be perfect for his schedule. And what a day that will be for some lucky fan. In addition to Zach will be Brett Wetterich, the Ryder Cup member and top ranked player and more spectacular players being added very soon to the event.
Also agreeing to participate in 2008 are returning Caddy For A Cure players Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald. Both of these world class players will participate at the Akron WGC-Bridgestone event. These two superstars have let Caddy For A Cure participants come inside the ropes for a day many times in the past and really illustrate how much fun it is for everyone involved to raise money for so many others whose lives will be changed by it.
Also coming to Caddy For A Cure in Akron is personal friend Colin Montgomerie. "Monty" will be newly married when he arrives at Firestone and we encourage anyone in the golf world to come spend a day with him and tell us he is not one of the nicest guys in golf. Yes, he gets hot and intense on the golf course, but can you honestly say that you have never been hot on a golf course yourself???
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CADDY FOR A CURE JOINS FORCES WITH PTCA
The PTCA (Professional Tour Caddies of America) recently joined forces with Caddy For A Cure and combined their efforts and websites to be able to advance caddies in their profession around the world. Since 25% of all funds raised by Caddy For A Cure go to the PGA TOUR Caddie Benevolent Fund, it was only natural that the two forces worked together in their efforts to grow.
The PTCA has been in existence for nearly 30 years and is the Official Association of the PGA TOUR Caddies. They are a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit Organization and work closely with PGA TOUR Officials to keep communications between the two accurate and positive.
As many Caddy For A Cure past winners will testify, going into the Caddy Wagon either before or after their big day has some lasting memories. This is a place that President Dale McElyea, and Donna and Bob Schultz provide a "home away from home" dining experience most weeks on the PGA TOUR.
Quite often, PGA TOUR players that participate with Caddy For A Cure may join the caddie for lunch in the wagon after their round. Last year at Colonial, "Doc" Applegate was treated to one of the best lunches in his golf life when PGA TOUR Superstar and former Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman came in for lunch and talked for hours about a great career of golf. Imagine sitting there talking with the Ryder Cup Captain about the Ryder Cup, with his long time caddie Andy Martinez. If you are a golf fan, it doesn't get any better than this.
To view more pictures of the PTCA Caddy Wagon as well as to purchase official PTCA merchandise (coming soon), click the link below:
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CADDY FOR A CURE ANNOUNCES
GOLF FITNESS MAGAZINE ON BOARD
Another GREAT company has chosen to become involved with Caddy For A Cure and further add to the package of wonderful gifts that each participant receives.
Golf Fitness Magazine is the only golf publication dedicated exclusively to teaching golfers about total game improvement through a team approach. Readers will gain knowledge about the body, mind and spirit when it comes to the game of golf. There is something for everyone in each issue of Golf Fitness Magazine and regardless of your handicap, the Golf Fitness Magazine Advisory Team of top-notch professionals will guide you on the path to your BEST GOLF EVER, through golf-specific fitness, mental focus, and health -- thus improving scores and reducing injury. Readers will also enjoy additional insight on philanthropy, history, and tradition of the game, fit fashion, golf fit getaways and much, much, more.
Their "giving back" and "gifting forward" programs are unparalleled in the industry and Caddy For A Cure is very proud to add a subscription to each winner's package.
Sign up for their free e-newsletter today by going to:
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My daughter Kayla's favorite stop on the PGA TOUR is without a doubt Hilton Head Island. If you've ever been there, you know this is a gorgeous piece of America wrapped up into one small piece of land in the low country. Kayla isn't all that impressed with the scenery, she likes it because she gets to see Gregg Russell every night in Harbour Town. He's been playing there each night for a long time (32 years!).
A few years ago, when Caddy For A Cure was young, we happened to be in Hilton Head sharing yet another night listening to Gregg's rendition of "There's a Booger in your Sugar, no it's Not," when, Gregg proceeded to digress and talk about a project he started called "Hilton Head Heroes." It is a home in Sea Pines designed to house a family with a seriously ill child, unable financially to come, all expenses paid, for a week. In most cases, these children are terminal. Needless to say, I was touched deeply.
Since 25% of each experience goes to the PGA TOUR Host Site Charity of Choice, we made a "note to self" to inquire if we could earmark our money gift that week to Hilton Head Heroes.
The next morning on the putting green I noticed Tournament Director Steve Wilmot. We had mailed, spoken, but had never met each other and I wanted to thank him for his and his staff's generous hospitality. Then, I asked him about our gift and the earmark to which Steve quickly asked me "What do you know about this charity?" I mentioned Gregg the night before and other than that, not too much.
He told me about the battle to get that house completed. It was an "adult only" community and the residents had fiercely battled the children and the transient nature of what Hilton Head Heroes is. Obviously, Heroes won and they have been operating for over 10 years now. Steve then told me with teary eyes, the "rest of the story."
This home is very close to HIS home in Sea Pines. He has been watching now each and every week a new family come in with a chemo ridden patient. Another family to watch almost certain to lose their precious child, another last attempt at happiness on this earth. Steve was painfully aware of the impact Hilton Head Heroes had on this community, and life.
My fate was sealed. I realized that Caddy For A Cure exists for a cause far greater than even the patients of Fanconi. There was indeed a true reason that we continue on with our quest to help others using this most unique method of caddying for one of the world's best players.
I encourage you to come to Hilton Head Island on April 15th and listen to Gregg Russell. Meet Steve Wilmot and see what a terrific tournament they put on. Honor your American Wounded Warriors, and help so many. I guarantee you it will be a time you will never, ever forget.
Sincerely
Russ Holden
Caddy for a Cure Founder
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