Issue 47

March 11th, 2013   

This Newsletter sponsored by Emerick Construction

 

 

Over the years, Emerick Construction has contributed to our local communities and organizations who we feel mirror our sense of responsibility. We believe that it is important to support all facets of our people by giving back to the places in which we Live.Work.Play�.

 

Help support Emerick in our endeavor to build our communities locally and nationally for a better tomorrow.

 

Emerick Construction is pleased to be a sponsor of Caddy For A Cure and its charitable efforts nationwide! 

 

 

The Honda Classic a HUGE Success

 


Caddy For A Cure, the professional golf opportunity to go inside the ropes and caddy for a day for the world's best golfers offered a unique spin to its traditional program at the recently played Honda Classic: An opportunity to caddy for an impressive group of celebrities during the Kenny G Gold Pro-Am presented by Tire Kingdom.

 

 

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at The Honda Classic Wednesday Pro-am was enjoyed by two area golf enthusiasts, Dr. Stuart Lestch and Steven Grebow. Dr. Lestch is a longtime Caddy For A Cure supporter and repeat caddy and encouraged his friend to join him. These gentlemen were escorted by four distinguished combat wounded warriors who enjoyed a day at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, away from the concerns of their injuries and former combat duties. Caddy For A Cure supports warriors through the PGA TOUR military outreach initiative, Birdies for the Brave.

 

 

Dr. Lestch, escorted by warrior SGT Jorge Zapata, was honored to caddy for World Golf Hall of Fame member Raymond Floyd. Maryland native Grebow was accompanied by SSG Brian Mast as they caddied for recently crowned Super Bowl Champion NFL Safety Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. SFC Manuel Colon did the caddy honors for world renowned saxophonist and Gold Pro-am host, Kenny G. and SGT Alex Trujillo was on the bag for nine-time NFL Pro Bowl superstar and Golf Channel "Morning Drive" cast member Ahmad Rashad.

 

Although SSG Mast, an explosive ordinance disposal technician from Grand Rapids, MI, lost both of his legs and a finger in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2010, he walked the entire 18 holes, including a go at carrying the bag, for this amazing experience. These warriors were, once again, an inspiration to everyone. 

 

 

Caddy For A Cure CEO and program founder Russ Holden said "This was truly a great day in the history of Caddy For A Cure. We have been fortunate to participate in the Pro Am celebrity group the past several years, but this year was especially significant with the participation of SSG Mast." Holden continued, "It was a huge honor and very humbling to watch Mast walk the entire round while not once losing his incredibly positive outlook or humor. He is a true hero in our mind and we're thrilled to be able to 'give-back' from this great game of golf."

 

Els, Rose, Furyk, Scott, Donald and more for 2013!

When we are asked by the current Open Champion as to which week we would like him to participate with Caddy For A Cure, the world literally stops. He suggested New Orleans, and we could think of nothing better.  

 

The "Big Easy" as Ernie is called, in the "Big Easy." Bring your cajun appetite and get ready to spend a day with the 3 Time Major Champion as well as champion of men.

 

In addition to Ernie, included in this year's schedule are former World #1 Luke Donald at the RBC Heritage, World #5 ranked Justin Rose at The Barclays, World Ranked #7 Adam Scott for AT&T National, and Masters Champion and World Ranked #15 Zach Johnson for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. 

 

Other great players like Major Champions Graeme McDowell & Jim Furyk will join superstars like Jason Dufner, Robert Garrigus and more during the season.

 

Stay tuned folks, we expect 2013 to be our biggest year yet! 

 

 PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO OUR LIVE AUCTIONS   

 

Charitable Gift Opportunity

If you like what we are doing with a unique twist for charity in the world of golf, we'd like to suggest you consider a tax-smart purchase or contribution.  As a qualified 501-c-3 nonprofit corporation, Caddy For A Cure offers you a perfect opportunity to obtain your maximum tax deduction or to fulfill any charitable programs or commitments you may have established for the year. 

If you itemize your personal tax deductions, you may reduce your taxable income and your tax bill through a year end donation. Generally, you can deduct cash contributions in full up to 50% of your adjustable gross income. 

With many holidays and events right around the corner, consider a donation as a gift to that someone who 'has everything' or in honor of a loved one. Alternately, Caddy For A Cure offers the opportunity to gift someone with a caddy experience for the 2013 TOUR season - a perfect gift for your golf-loving spouse, family member, best friend or business associate.  Celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day, and any other special day with a unique experience that is not available anywhere else.

 

Rickie Fowler at Waste Management Open!

Every Caddy For A Cure experience is special, beyond special. We often lack the proper words to adequately describe just how "cool" it is to go "inside the ropes" with one of the world's best players. We recently kicked off our year in Phoenix at the Waste Management Open with one of the brightest stars in all of golf and with some very special caddies.



Some keen followers may recognize our "caddy" for Rickie at this event, it is Toronto native and firefighter Mike Corcoran. He worked with US Open Champ Webb Simpson last year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and had a such an awesome time, he could not wait to come back for more! When Rickie popped up on the radar screen as being available, Mike jumped at the chance to travel to Scottsdale to enjoy some Arizona sun, and some awesome golf.



We really think a lot of Rickie Fowler and his pal and caddy Joe Skovron. Two more impressive young men we cannot think of. This day was timely with the new "The Golf Boys" video coming out...Peter Jacobsen (Jake Trout from Jake Trout and the Flounders) wanted in on a little take and filmed something on the 15th fairway.



Standing inside the 16th hole, oh the famous 16th hole, is an experience that we recommend everyone should do once in their golf lifetime. The crowd, the confinement of the stands, the atmosphere make it one of the most unique in all of golf. Mike and his lovely wife Bobbi took it all in and had a shot with Rickie. OSU! OSU! OSU!



Standing in the middle of the 18th fairway on the bag of one of the world's best golfers is an absolutely great experience. Standing there with a combat wounded warrior helping you out makes something great even greater. We were once again honored to work with Birdies for the Brave to arrange for warrior Ron Tyler, USN, escort us around the awesome TPC Scottsdale.
  
 
 Standing this close to Rickie as he stripes shot after gorgeous shot is simply unreal. In our opinion, getting to know Rickie and Joe during the round makes it all the more meaningful and fun. We know Mike and Ron agree to the fullest!

 
  If it all wasn't good enough, we were honored to have a Navy aviation legend as an honorary observer. RADM Denny Wisely, former lead Commander of the United States Navy Blue Angels, as well as Commanding Officer of the USS Kennedy, walked with us.

Spending the day with legends...a military legend, a wounded soldier, a generous and caring caddy, and one of the best golfers on the planet...does not get much better than this. Caddy For A Cure!  

Greetings!

 

I have heard it coined before that "he lost his battle with cancer." With Jordan Schmidt, he clearly won. He not only won, he kicked cancer's butt, and then some!

Through Tudi's Tride in the Quad Cities, and the John Deere Classic, we had the great fortune of befriending Jordan Schmidt as one of the cancer patients within the Moline cause.

Jordan "caddy'd" for Jason Bohn. Many of you will remember Jordan with his "Small but Mighty" bracelet that he gifted Jason. Jason wore it that week and played very well, then almost won a week later in Mississippi all while wearing "Small but Mighty."

To say that we were devastated to hear of Jordan's passing would never be complete. This was one awesome young man. He had a growth so large on his neck, and the ravages of chemo were extremely evident. Anyone, would excuse him instantly for being "down." He was never down. He was the brightest, happiest, bubbly man that any person could be blessed to meet this side of heaven. Frankly, it was shocking what a wonderful personality this guy had.

His Mom Michelle is also just as wonderful. Through it all, through all the pain and tears, she has kept an eternal perspective on it all and is a true, very true blessing to all who come in contact with her.

We can think of no better way of remembering Jordan than the video that was made about his day with Jason Bohn last year. Please, have a look and lift up Michelle in your thoughts prayers. She lost a young man who beat cancer.

Caddy for a Cure
Jordan Schmidt - A TRUE Hero!


 

Russ & Colleen Holden   

Caddy for a Cure Founder's

 

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