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Issue: # 18
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September 8th, 2008
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WE PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PARTNERS
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100% of Charity Auction Sales
goes to:
20%
Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
20%
Wouned Warrior Project
20%
PGA TOUR Caddie Benevolent Fund
20%
PGA TOUR Player Charity
20%
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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"PADDY SLAM" EQUALS GRAND SLAM FOR CADDY FOR A CURE
The HOTTEST golfer in the world gladly donated his time and great demeanor at the first two events of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs, The Barclays and the Deutsche Bank Championship. These tournaments were the sites for two spectacular days in the history of Caddy For A Cure and forever etched great memories for Steve Johnson and Ralph Rizzo.
So what does it feel like to be with the winner of the last two Major Championships in golf? What does it feel like to be toting that famous putter that made all the putts at Royal Birkdale and Oakland Hills? What does it feel like to carry the very same bag that we all watched on TV? Unreal cool according to both Steve and Ralph.
There you are, standing SO close to the two-time consecutive Open Champion AND PGA Champion, watching some of the greatest shots on the planet. Steve Johnson got the corporate "gift" of a lifetime when a wise vendor stepped up and bought him this day that he will remember forever. You can take them to dinner, take them to play at great places, but give them a day they will never forget and you not only get a loyal customer, but a friend, too.
It was exciting, thrilling, spectacular. A great father and son experience as seen above. But one should not lose sight of the fact that Ralph's family has been touched by Fanconi Anemia and they wanted to help. They wanted to help SO much so that when presented with this opportunity to Caddy For A Cure, they bought TWO bags. They stepped up and purchased two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen's bag after they bought Padraig's. Brian Bowden had the day of his life with the personable South African and his class-act full-time caddie, Colin Byrne.
One of the best aspects of Caddy For A Cure is that the regular PGA TOUR Caddy goes along with you on your experience to show you the ropes of being "inside the ropes." Many people in the world know Ronan Flood, Padraig's caddy AND Brother in Law, to be a champion gentleman. Both Ralph and Steve found this out in a big way.
OK, So just how cool is Padraig Harrington? How real is that jovial and down to earth personality we all see on TV? Let's put it this way....Ralph Rizzo had 18 people come to watch him carry the bag. On the 18th Tee Box, Padraig instructed Caddy For A Cure to round up the entire bunch and bring them out to 18 green once complete with the round for a "group photo." There, he proceeded to sign countless golf balls, Open flags, and just chat. God Bless You Padraig and Ronan, God Bless You!
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FOCUS ON FANCONI
"I'm OK Mee-MA, I'm OK" is the constant cry these days from Alicia Reed to her loving Grand Mother, Michelle Colgan, as Alicia goes through her necessary bone marrow transplant at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The innocent 5 year old sweetheart endures one of the most painful experiences that life has to offer, yet she still tries to sooth the worries of her caretaker.
Alicia was born with most of the common afflictions of a Fanconi anemia carrier. She was born without thumbs, born with one ear, born with 50% hearing loss in the other ear, and of course, had an absolute need for a bone marrow transplant due to bone marrow failure. Yet, through it all, she is a champion little girl hoping to get back on her feet and play with her friends and family.
For Alicia, this is normal life - one that most of us cannot even fathom with our own healthy children. A life in hospitals, connected to machines of all sorts, countless tests, and medicines. But yet she loves and has a heart of pure gold. Once she finishes watching "Sponge Bob Square Pants," of course.....
The incredibly amazing fact of this whole story is the sacrifice that this family has made to help this gorgeous cupcake of a child. They have sold their homes, sold their cars, given away all their worldly possessions in life to insure Alicia has a chance to live, to breathe, to play. Without a doubt, this is one family of unsung heroes that we should all applaud and cheer for as they are truly the "salt of the earth."
At the time of this writing, Alicia is in "Day 79" of her bone marrow transplant. Please, pray today for this child and for this family. They epitomize why Caddy For A Cure exists and why caddying for a day on the PGA TOUR is not only fun, but essential to living life as we all have the privilege of knowing it.
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JACK KELLY BECOMES 1ST PGA PROFESSIONAL TO
CADDY FOR A CURE
CAMILO WINS FOLLOWING WEEK
PGA Professional Jack Kelly joined the "Caddy For A Cure Family" recently at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston looping for world superstar Camilo Villegas. When he learned that the chance to caddy was available with Caddy For A Cure, not having the funds himself to do so, he set about raising the money through a series of donations, auctions, and other unique ways in his Harris Golf Shop in Portland, Maine.
"There was no way I would miss this for anything. With all the money going to charity and being with one of the best players in the world, tell me what the bad part is? None." Kelly found out that not only does he get to spend the day with one of the world's best, but that the package that comes with the day is pretty incredible. "I cannot believe the package that you have put together with Peak Vision Sunglasses, a Speed Stik, PGA TOUR Partners, Firethorn, Sharpie, and all the rest" he said upon stepping foot on TPC Boston's range.
This is really the PGA of America at its finest. A former PGA TOUR player himself, and still a good stick, wanting to see how the very best can do it. He not only posted it at Harris Golf and told all his customers, he made a 3 hour trek to Boston to caddy for the young Columbian himself. From one PGA Professional to another, our hat is off to you Jack Kelly!
A late note is added to this piece as Camilo became the 19th PGA TOUR player to have a great week either the week of, or the week immediately following doing Caddy For A Cure, or committing to Caddy For A Cure. We all knew this young man was going win soon, and we sure like to think that "good things happen to people that do good." A second and a win two weeks in a row sure sounds good to us. Great job Camilo and Gary!!!
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SIGN UP TODAY TO PLAY IN THE
CADDY FOR A CURE GOLF TOURNAMENT
 The 2nd Annual Caddy For A Cure Golf Tournament will be held again at the beautiful Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach, Florida on Monday, October 13th. It is going to be the highlight event of the year as people will be coming from all over the country to play in this prestigious and fun event.
Peter Johncke, the "Trick Shot Master" will be doing his world famous routine and trying to match last year's performance by golf legend Dennis Walters. Abe and Louie's will once again be providing food on the course to complement the spectacular lunch and dinner in the Mizner clubhouse.
There will be no shortage of auction items and they will be, once again, second to none. An Arnold Palmer signed Callaway staff bag, a piece featuring Padraig Harrington's last two majors with signed flags from Royal Birkdale and Oakland Hills. A day with a Ferrari, and many more rare and spectacular items. The PGA TOUR players and the equipment manufacturers all support Caddy For A Cure and are not bashful when it comes to donating goods.
Also on hand will be our National Spokesperson Christian Collins, along with an entire foursome from the Wounded Warrior Project. This will be an event you won't want to miss. Monday, October 13th, 2008.
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WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT BECOMES OFFICIAL BENEFICIARY OF
CADDY FOR A CURE
Please, tell your friends about Caddy For A Cure. The experience will be incredible, and the benefits immense. Help us support our troops.
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Golf is a pretty incredible game when you really think about it. The game of a lifetime where generations separated by decades can come together and enjoy time unlike in any other sport. At 69 years old, Mike Hayes recently used this opportunity at The Barclays to show his Grandson Joseph a day he will never forget for many reasons.
What would possess a guy who is the owner of a large company and highly successful to want to come loop for a day for Tom Lehman? Why on earth would he want to walk these fairways carrying a bag? Pretty simple. He cares about others and is a true champion at life. He understands that this game we all love so much is indeed the compelling "draw" between the ages and he wanted to create a memory for a youngster, using golf.
 Young Joseph Riccardi actually watched Mike carry the bag and gave it a whirl himself, caddying for the former Open Champion, Tom Lehman. But more importantly, think about the lessons he learned from this experience and what he will take away from it.
I watched these two brave caddies go along with Tom and I had to fight back the tears thinking of my experiences with my father. How those special days are now like bright and shining diamonds in my memory that make me smile each and every time I fondly remember them. Mike Hayes understands this and signed up with his grandson, young Joseph. He knew that this would be a day that even after he is gone, Joseph will remember.
Please, tell your friends about Caddy For A Cure. Forward this mail to all your members, your golf pals, anyone that would want to meet one of the best players in the world and to help change the lives of others who so greatly need it.
I know Mike Hayes is glad he did.
Sincerely,
Russ Holden
Caddy For A Cure Founder
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