Issue # 43

March 31st,  2012 
This Newsletter sponsored by Emerick Construction


 

 

Based in the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan area, Emerick Construction is an established and locally-owned company committed to long-term stability. Paul B. Emerick was a teacher who built houses in his spare time on the weekends. His "hobby" grew rapidly through word of mouth, when, in 1943 he established a full-time concrete subcontracting firm. By the 1950s, they were doing commercial work and won their first $1 million contract with the Dairy Cooperative Association. Over half a century later, Emerick is ranked among the area's top general contractors and has earned a reputation as the contractor of choice for challenging, team-driven projects.

 

 Please visit their site HERE.

 

Emerick Construction is a proud sponsor of Caddy For A Cure!

 

Greg Norman "caddy's for a cure" at  Honda Classic

 

The Honda Classic was the site of legends and legendary charitable fund raising with a host of greats "caddying for a cure." Headed by 2-time major champion Greg Norman, who was joined by LPGA superstar Lexi Thompson, NFL great Joe Theismann, New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, and music great Kenny G. ALL five golfers had "caddy's" from our program, and well over $20,000 was raised!

 

 

  

It is often somewhat intimidating when you walk to the first tee with one of he greatest players in golf, but to walk to the 1st tee with THIS many true greats in sport and music and in front of all those people, well, it will get your heart pumping, indeed! With thousands of people yearning to get a glimpse of the Shark, and many Pats fans screaming for Coach, it is a rarefied arena of air that our caddy's breathe. To be standing next to Greg Norman as long time announcer Don Chornak announces the group is something that you simply cannot recreate.

 

 

  

 

                                                                                                                                                           Lexi Thompson absolutely lit up the golf course with a game that can and will rock the golf world like nothing else soon. She is the "real deal" with booming drives, laser like irons shots, and a putting stroke that Ben Crenshaw would envy. At the tender age of 17, it is simply wonderful to be around her with her youthful, yet very mature, attitude and her genuine and glamorous smile that completes the package!

 

We were also deeply honored to have three wounded warriors and an active duty Colonel on hand escorting the group. No question the golf course was safe with these brave men enjoying the finest in golf up close and personal. From the Birdies for the Brave program, it was humbling to say the least watching this aspect of the day unfold.

 

Many, many thanks to Ken Kennerly and Ed McEnroe, along with the entire Honda Classic staff for making this dream experience a reality. 

 

 

 

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE DAY

 

 

Upcoming Players and Events

We expect this year to be the greatest year ever for offering opportunities for charity and the chance to partner for a day with one of the world's greatest players.  While still so early in the year, we have an amazing line-up of superstars on tap for the 2012 season.

 

 

Click on the player's picture below to be taken to their live auction!

 

Rickie Fowler - The Barclays at Bethpage Black

 

 

 

Camilo Villegas - FedEx St. Jude Classic

 

  

 

Sergio Garcia - The Barclays at Bethpage Black

 

  

 

 Zach Johnson - Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

 

 

 

 

To see ALL of our live auctions...CLICK HERE 

Focus on Fanconi

FanconiMany learned of the words "Fanconi anemia" last year when it touched major sports celebrity family, the Fishers.  When it became clear that Florida State University Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher and wife Candi have a child with "FA," we knew their plight and we wanted to help.

 

The Fishers have, in a very short time, done an incredible job of making a most positive impact against FA with the advent of the Kidz1stFund. They have raised over $500,000 for Fanconi research and are certainly not stopping there. They are serious about beating this disorder and they have a master coach's game plan for doing just that.

 

 

We are thrilled beyond words to announce the first Kidz1stFund/Caddy For A Cure fundraiser golf tournament at The Country Club of Coral Springs on Thursday, May 17th. Coach Fisher will be hand, along with Candi Fisher, who will be speaking after the golf.

 

 

 

 
If you are a FSU "Noles" fan, here is your chance to help not only the Fishers, but many other families suffering from this lethal disorder.
World Ranked #6 Webb Simpson Caddy's For A Cure

To be at Arnold Palmer's event would be a treat for anyone. Bay Hill in the spring,  the historic Lodge where Arnie still plays frequently...knowing that so many great things have happened on this great golf course. Just to be there would be a treat.
 
 
To not only be there, but to "caddy" for the 6th ranked player in the world, Webb Simpson, makes this an incredibly special day. That is what firefighter Mike Corcoran did last week, flying down from Toronto to have the golf experience of his life.
 
 
Hands down, no questions, without a doubt, the best day of his golf life. Meeting Webb and terrific guy and caddy, Paul Tesori, seeing Bay Hill from this perspective was over the top cool. Also making the day a little more special was having The Golf Channel's "Morning Drive" host Holly Sonders in our group. (She can play golf fans!)
 
 
So if all this was not enough, we were joined by wounded warrior Sgt. Mike Stafford from Mississippi. This lower leg amputee walked all 18 holes, carrying the bag for many of those holes, and left a lasting impression on all. Carrying a legit 3.9 handicap index himself, he is quite a player and one of the top amputee golfers in the country.  For him to be with Webb for the day, well, he simply could not find words adequate to describe the experience. We have to say, it's similar to the gratitude that we have for him. It's hard to find words adequate! 
 
 
At the end of the day, PGA TOUR Network XM Sirius Radio great guy, Bob Bubka, took us in the media room and did an interview with our surprised "caddy's." The Grill Room does some wonderful things for the positive aspects of golf and we were proud to be featured on the show.
 
 
 
 

 

Greetings!

 

 
Every week we do Caddy For A Cure, it seems the same.  We shake our heads and mutter something like "that was the best experience we have ever had in 10 years of doing this." And then, the next experience happens and we meet a whole new set of people and circumstances that blow us away.

 

What was the best experience I am often asked? It is a tough one...Was it the Jack Nicklaus days spent with the great one, or was it Phil Mickelson when he "caddied for a cure? What about young Rickie Fowler and having some "Go Time" with him?

 

Is it when we see someone who has had a terrible tragedy happen to them, only to recover to a point that they can enjoy the game of golf again?

 

After all these experiences we have come to the clear understanding that there is no best experience ever. Each and every one of our caddy's are uniquely special, and a very special day has occurred. FA knows no best, nor do the brave men and women who are forever changed as a result of their service. Each experience is the best of the best, and someone has been assisted at the same time.

 

Is this YOUR year to "caddy for a cure?"



Very respectfully,
 

Russ Holden PGA 

Caddy for a Cure Founder 

 

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