Issue: # 14
 April 23rd, 2008
OUR PROUD PARTNERS



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PGA Black 2




Peak Vision




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Bison






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CMAA Black




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Bee Alive





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



2008 Caddy Man
(click to go to main site)


National Spokesperson
&
Fanconi Anemia Patient
Christian Collins
&
Friends



Christian Zach




Christian Furyk 1




Christian Tiger
  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Belcher 1
 
In what was possibly the most inspirational week in the history of Caddy For A Cure, the Wounded Warrior Project had its first taste of being "Inside the Ropes" with the greatest players in the world on the PGA TOUR last week at the Verizon Heritage. Soldiers Andy Butterworth and Bryan Belcher joined the "family" and witnessed shots very different from those in Iraq - professional golf shots.

Butterworth 1

Sgt. Andy Butterworth joined Caddy For A Cure winner Jan Trobaugh for a day neither will forget by caddying for the defending - and ultimately the repeat Verizon Champion - Boo Weekley. Kind of hard to worry about 4-footers watching the strength of Sgt. Butterworth defeating all odds and walking Harbour Town.


Butterworth 2

Boo signed many autographs this week in wonderful Hilton Head Island, but there were no other requests handed to him like this one, "Please sign my leg." It was a request from "Butter" who asked many of the PGA TOUR players to sign his prosthetic leg, all of whom gladly obliged.

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PGA TOUR superstar Jerry Kelly is one of the best guys in the world and he bent over backwards to make the guys feel welcome. He absolutely showed his support as did so many PGA TOUR players when they got wind that the Wounded Warrior Project was involved with CFAC!

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Former British Open Champion Todd Hamilton really had a blast with the guys on the putting green shown here "Holding up the Nines" with PFC Bryan Belcher. Bryan was injured in a Humvee that was blown up in Iraq. Missing fingers and severe shrapnel wounds could not keep Bryan and the world's best from having a great time on the PGA TOUR!

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The fans of Hilton Head were stunned when Sgt. Butterworth took off down the first hole with Boo Weekley WALKING on one leg. Blown up in a tank in Iraq, "Butter" enjoyed this walk much more.

How wonderful it was of the Verizon Heritage people to make this event possible. Tournament Director Steve Wilmot further cemented his place in Caddy For A Cure's hearts, as well as with the many Wounded Warrior Project veterans that will participate in the future.

It is hard to believe that so much FUN, could be had while helping so many people in so many ways. The Hilton Head Heroes project, we know, is far better off thanks to the Caddy For A Cure winners who paid so much and came so far.

 Trobaugh 1

JAN TROBAUGH CADDIES FOR VERIZON HERITAGE CHAMPION BOO WEEKLEY

What a week it was for Jan Trobaugh. His lovely wife Lynn decided to help Jan fulfill a life's dream to come out on the PGA TOUR and see how it is done. Lynn bid, won and planned the trip for Jan to caddy for defending Champion Boo Weekley. She heard he was a pretty cool guy and wanted to do something nice for her husband. They made the long trek from California and were treated as so many Caddy For A Cure winners have been treated in the past: To a day he will never forget.

Boo and his caddy, Joe Pyland, who is a fantastic guy, let Jan be the man on the bag all the way around the famed Harbour Town Links in Hilton Head. Jan was also delighted to have Boo's mother Patsy in the group and learned where some of Boo's spirit comes from.

Friends, Boo Weekley is for real. He is one of the most genuine, real, down to earth, nice guys walking the fairways of the PGA TOUR. This man could not have been nicer to Jan and made a memory that will last forever for those soldiers, Jan Trobaugh, and FA patient Christian Collins.

If you have ever dreamed of what it would be like to work with one of the best players in the world, come bid now and do it. It will be a day you will never forget. Ask Jan Trobaugh.


 FOCUS ON FANCONI

Since we started our piece on Fanconi Anemia in the Caddy For A Cure Newsletter we have learned of many different cases of this dreaded disease around the world. This newsletter comes with an especially heart warming story about a nine year old boy in Michigan named Fabrizio DiMercurio.


Fabrizio 1

Fabrizio was born with Fanconi Anemia and was born without thumbs as well as missing radius bones in both hands and arms. This is a fairly common occurrence in Fanconi patients. He was born four weeks premature and weighed in at only 3 pounds, 7 ounces.

Fabrizio 2


He is normal 9-year old boy in most ways and loves to play with his friends on his street. He lives on Vesper Street and has been crowned the "Fresh Prince of Vesper" by his family and friends. He is in the third grade and is doing terrific in school.

Fabrizio 3

Fabrizio LOVES to ride his dirt bike as well as loves fishing and hunting. Sounds a little like our dear friend Boo Weekley doesn't it?

Because Fanconi Anemia is a bone marrow disorder that often causes bone marrow failure and leukemia, Fabrizio and his family live each day to the fullest and they enjoy life as much as they can. Fanconi patients are also at great risk of getting cancer since all the body's cells are affected.

We salute Fabrizio for being a true champion in life. He and his family have been an inspiration to anyone that comes in contact with them. Please, take the few minutes it takes to view Fabrizio's video that was done, thanks to Capistrano Productions. The music is wonderful, the scenes are fantastic, and the story is immensely touching.



Johnson 1 


EVER WONDER WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO CADDY AT THE MASTERS?

Can you even imagine walking up to the first tee at the Augusta National during the Masters, fairways lined with people, walking on the hallowed grounds? Can you imagine walking over Rae's Creek across the Hogan  Bridge, the Nelson Bridge, or the Sarazen Bridge? How about walking back to the back tee at #13 looking at that tee shot that very few people in the world have ever seen?

You can, next year, during the 2009 Masters. British Open Champion, PGA TOUR winner, and world class act Todd Hamilton has asked that we find him a caddy for Monday's practice round next year at the Augusta National. That was not a typo folks, this is for real. Todd approached us at Hilton Head and suggested we really make something special for all the charities that we support and asked if we would like to do Augusta. That took about .000001 seconds to answer the question.

So, start saving your nickels. Tell all your friends. Who is going to be the lucky person to walk all 18 holes, on the big course, Monday of the Masters?

If this were not enough, Todd has already donated his bag, made special by Taylor Made for the Masters tournament, to be included with the package.

Thanks Todd Hamilton, you are a champion in every sense of the word.

    Beem


Browne 2


PGA CHAMPION RICH BEEM, PGA TOUR WINNER OLIN BROWNE IN ATLANTA

The Atlanta AT & T Classic is one of the best tournaments on the PGA TOUR. Great course, great people, great time. Last year's winner, Zach Johnson, treated Caddy For A Cure winner Martin Pinckney to the day of his life around the TPC at Sugarloaf. Are you the lucky charm for Rich Beem or Olin Browne?

These two guys are two of the coolest players in the world and we are sure two lucky fans will enjoy their day with these champions.
Firethorn TOUR color

Butterworth 3

FIRETHORN APPAREL = GREAT PRODUCTS, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT HEARTS


Firethorn Apparel is one of the finest companies in the world of golf today. Great apparel with a smoking hot line of clothing for both men and women, and incredible prices. They are a small enough company that each account is handled with tender loving care and each garment is meticulously made.

Why is Boo's picture up here under this piece? Because BOO wears Firethorn Apparel. Boo and Brian Davis wear it out on the PGA TOUR and how great he looked on Sunday wearing the Firethorn Apparel tearing up the best in the world at Harbour Town.

Not only does Firethorn have awesome golf apparel, they have incredibly huge hearts. When they heard about Caddy For A Cure, they asked how they could help. When they heard about the Wounded Warrior Project, they outfitted each of the soldiers with outfits that were second to none. All no charge. Please, let US do this for you they said.

If you wear golf clothing, ask for Firethorn. If you own a golf shop, call your rep and get this clothing in your shop. The Firethorn line is fantastic!
Kayla 1
Gregg Russell is one cool dude. If you have ever been to Harbour Town you know. You know he is funny, he sings pretty good, plays the guitar very well, and keeps kids of all ages laughing during his show that has been going on for over 30 years.

That is not what makes Gregg Russell cool.

My daughter Kayla (pictured with FA Patient Christian) would highly disagree with me about what makes him cool but then, she likes to "drive her parents crazy". If you have been to see Gregg you get the last statement!

Gregg and his lovely wife Lindy run an organization called Hilton Head Heroes. Once again last week we learned more about this utterly fantastic organization and realized how much of the Russell's life has been devoted to this service. They ask for no notoriety, they ask for no fame, they ask for no money. They just want to help.

When I saw those soldiers last week walking down the first hole at Harbour Town I was glad I had my Peak Vision sunglasses on to hide my tears. These two young men have done so much for all of us. They have given us their precious bodies. They have changed their life forever to protect and to serve.

Tell your friends about Caddy For A Cure. Forward this mail. This is an opportunity better than anything else in professional sports.

Ask Sgt. Andy Butterworth, or PFC Bryan Belcher, or Hilton Head Heroes.


        Sincerely

        Russ Holden
            Caddy for a Cure Founder