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Issue: # 16
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June 17th, 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
&
Friends
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STEVE HARTNETT CADDIES
FOR
PGA CHAMPION DAVID TOMS
AND SETS DONATION RECORD
Steve Hartnett recently had the day of his golf life caddying for PGA Champion David Toms at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club. In doing so, he set an all time record for donations for caddying at a whopping $27,500 !!!! There was a bidding war and Steve was simply not going to miss the chance to go "inside the ropes" at the famed Colonial Country Club.
The chance to stand this close to a former PGA Champion for every shot hit during 18 holes is simply one of the best opportunities in the world of professional sports. Even more exciting is knowing that EVERY penny spent for this experience is going to charity. To be able to give THIS MUCH to charity really epitomizes what Caddy For A Cure is all about. How great it is that Steve was willing to share his financial success in business with so many who are far less fortunate!
It's not every day that an avid golf fan can stand on the other side of the ropes and feel what it is like to walk down fairways lined with people, screaming, cheering, and rooting for their favorite players. Steve took it all in stride and even found time to wave to his adoring fans, brought in by himself, of course.
David Toms went out of his way to make sure Steve had a great day, and what a great job he did. They talked about all kinds of things during their round and Steve came away as a huge fan of David's, as well as of the PGA TOUR. Steve learned up close and personal about what it was like to win a PGA Championship from one of the best players in the entire world.
How about having a private lesson on how to read greens from one of the best putters on the planet? David spent some invaluable time teaching Steve how to read greens, judge slope, and make putts like never before.
Interestingly, Steve really likes working on his short game during his daily practice. How much better could it be to see one of the true wizards around the green this close, in front of all these people, at "Hogan's Alley?"
A hearty and mighty thanks goes to Steve and Sandy Hartnett for their generous donation. We simply cannot thank them enough for caring so deeply. If you are ever in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area, MAKE SURE you stop by Bob's Steak and Chop House. Without a doubt, it will be some of the best food you'll have on planet earth.
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ZACH JOHNSON AND FRED COUPLES ON TAP FOR AT&T NATIONAL
What a line up we have brewing in a few weeks for the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods at Congressional Country Club. Joining Masters Champions Zach Johnson and Fred Couples are PGA TOUR winners Brett Wetterich and Jerry Kelly. We cannot think of any other time that we have had this many superstars participating in one event. Can you just imagine what it will be like to be with one of these superstars, at Tiger's tournament, at one of the greatest courses in America?
This will be Fred's first time participating with Caddy For A Cure and we are really excited to have this great player join the Caddy For A Cure "family." The President's Cup Captain and all time fan favorite will surely be a treat for some lucky person. His long time caddie, Joe LaCava, will be on hand to show you the ropes of being a professional caddie and will also liven things up a bit with his great sense of humor.
Auctions are "live" as you read this. Click on the link below to be taken to the auctions to bid. The auctions are being hosted by IronClad Auctions, a company owned by Cal Ripken, who is a true champion in the world of sport and with whom we are proud to be associated. IronClad is partnering with us, along with Comcast SportsNet, in efforts to jointly raise funds for charity.
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FOCUS ON FANCONI
Fanconi anemia is a rare "orphan" disease. That is, it effects very few around the world but, the results can be devastating. A bone marrow disorder that mandates a marrow transplant for life to continue, Fanconi anemia can often come with many birth defects. This newsletter is focusing on a gorgeous young girl from Indiana named Andie Kalemba, the daughter of Stan and Michelle Kalemba.
Andie was born on November 2nd, 2002 and is now 5 years old. She was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia when she was 8 months old. She was born with several of the anomalies that are characteristic of FA. Andie was born with TEF (Tracheo-esophageal atresia with fistula) which means basically her esophagus and trachea were connected. This condition required emergency surgery for her at age 3 days old. She was also born with bilateral hypoplastic thumbs (floppy thumbs) which also required her to have additional surgeries at the age of 15 months and 18 months old.
On April 3rd, 2008, Andie's "re-birth" took place. That is, she is currently recovering in Cincinnati Children's Hospital after a successful bone marrow transplant.
Despite all the challenges that life has dealt Andie and her family, she is a light-hearted free spirit enjoying the simple things in life. She enjoys cartoons, especially Tom and Jerry and the Doodlebops. She loves to sing and listen to music. Her favorite thing is to dress up, and put on make up like a big girl. She sometimes goes a bit overboard, as seen below, but who cares when she is having so much fun after being through so much?
Andie Kalemba gets our vote as being a champion and an inspiration to us all. To keep her sense of humor the way she has after dealing with a disease as lethal as this, we can only ask ourselves, "What's my excuse?" when dealing with life's pressure with anything but a smile.
Caddy For A Cure is deeply humbled and honored to be able to carry the torch of raising awareness for Fanconi Anemia and to spread the word within the world of golf. Won't you please remember the Kalemba family in your thoughts and prayers and definitely tell someone about how to caddy for a day on the PGA TOUR?
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TODD HAMILTON "DONATES" HIS BAG FOR 09 MASTERS
Todd Hamilton, 2004 British Open Champion and terrific guy, recently "donated" his bag for the 2009 Masters Monday practice round. What does that mean? He will actually let someone carry his bag, inside the ropes, at Augusta National for next year's Monday practice round.
With the U.S. Open just completed, we all watched the huge crowds and unreal excitement as crowds gathered to watch one of the four "majors." The difference is that you can, if you wanted, go get a tee time and play Torrey Pines in the weeks to come. We all know that does not happen with Augusta National. Imagine what it would be like to actually go on the range, on the putting green, and stand on the 1st tee at this hallowed place.
Tell your friends, tell your members, caddy at the Masters for the Open Champion next year. Also, Todd will give you his TaylorMade historic bag once the tournament is complete, signed, as a memento of a truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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MORE BIG NAMES COMING UP FOR CADDY FOR A CURE 2008 SEASON
The 2008 schedule is coming along with some of the biggest names in the world of golf participating in PGA TOUR events. Names like Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Boo Weekley, and a ton of other players all committing to Caddy For A Cure.
Virtually all the players on the PGA TOUR participate with Caddy For A Cure and most cannot answer "yes" quickly enough. They want to help. The PGA TOUR is truly unique from all other sports in their "Giving Back" initiative and is unparalleled in professional sports. Over a BILLION DOLLARS have been given to a multitude of charities around the world. Caddy For A Cure is just one more positive way that these great players can have such an impact for so many who are less fortunate.
It is truly inspirational when you have players in the caliber of Padraig Harrington, the reigning Open Champion, who searches US out to find a week that he can do Caddy For A Cure again. It is a testimony to what a heart this player has, as well as to how enjoyable and undistracting it is for him to participate.
Check the Caddy For A Cure site often as new players come up and definitely tell your friends.
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GOLF FITNESS MAGAZINE - AWESOME MAGAZINE
Golf Fitness Magazine is truly the best magazine that we know of if you are interested in any way about fitness and how it relates to golf. Great stories, great information, great presentation. There are very few magazines out there that are done as well as this one. Plus, the people who own and operate this magazine are the kind of people to support in the golf business. They care about "giving back" to the community of golf.
Golf Fitness Magazine writes articles monthly about various charities and endorses companies within the world of golf for their initiative in giving back. What a great concept and how wonderful it is to know which companies within golf have hearts and are companies we should support.
Pick up a copy of Golf Fitness Magazine. Put it in your locker room and watch how fast it will disappear among the many players these days who want to look and feel like Tiger.
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My son Brandon was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates a few years ago and is playing professional baseball in the Pirates organization. Outside of being a proud Dad with the thrill of watching a son achieve success as an athlete and a person, we are with an organization that is filled with history and Hall of Famers through its existence in baseball.
From part of the history of the Pirates organization comes one of the best quotes I have heard in some time and it pretty much sums up why we work so hard to make Caddy For A Cure a success. It was by the late Pirates great, Roberto Clemente. The legend once said, "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, you are wasting your time on earth."
Isn't that the way most of us are though, really? We often THINK of things we would like to do. We often THINK of things that need assistance. We often THINK that we sure wished that we could be making a difference with our lives to someone else. It just seems like life then passes us by with little action, if any at all, in most cases.
I know my life was that way. I would see things that needed change and then would say to myself....."One day I want to do something that will help." I just never did. Then, one day, I was impacted so deeply by seeing this rare disease called Fanconi Anemia I knew my life would not be complete here on earth if I sat back and did nothing.
By forwarding this mail on to your golf pals, your members, your friends who would like to do this, you are taking the first step in doing something that can change a life. It is that simple. By posting this program in your locker room at your club, by telling your foursome that this program exists, by encouraging people to sign up for the day of their golfing life, you will be making a difference.
I can tell you from personal experience that I have been to very best levels that golf can offer and it is cool. Augusta, St. Andrews, Pebble, golf experiences that are only a dream to many. Nothing can rival the joy that is achieved by seeing a need and stepping up and doing something about it. And what a bonus for it to be done in the world of golf at its very highest level. Tell your friends about Caddy For A Cure, you will be making a difference to many who really need the help.
Sincerely,
Russ Holden
Caddy for a Cure Founder
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