Golf In A Plague Year April 13 Charity

ClubsHelp, Carls GolfLand, MiGCSA are among the many golf institutions making charitable contributions in the Coronavirus crisis.

Golf and Charity

The greater golf community has long been centered around charitable activities. Every PGA TOUR and LPGA event is sponsored by a charity. Clubs host constant charitable outings. Here in Michigan, at least, charitable outings are used to raise money for school sports teams, community organizations, medical expenses and — sadly — even funerals.

I have been to more than my fair share of those outings.

In sum, golf raises more than $4 billion annually for charity.

In this latest crisis, the golf community has stepped up again.

Carl’s Golfland in Michigan is selling #ShankThisVirus shirts, with funds going to local hospitals. Seamus Golf in Oregon has shifted production to masks. Other companies are doing similar things.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendent’s Association Fundraiser

The Michigan Golf Course Superintendent’s Association is selling apparel with a neat looking MiTurf logo.

Proceeds will go to to support MiGCSA members who are under financial distress thanks to the closing of courses until at least May 1

Els Issues Charitable Challenge

Meanwhile, World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els has issued a challenge to his fellow professionals and club golfers everywhere: 

Become the captain of your club, adopt a local hospital, and marshal club resources to deliver greatly needed supplies to those on the frontlines during this unprecedented international health crisis.   

ClubsHELP is a new 501(c)7 foundation created to connect clubs with hospitals in their local areas to provide critically needed support for health workers.

With this program, a volunteer club “captain” coordinates with an adopted hospital to identify the most pressing needs that club members, companies, and individual donors can pitch in to gather, collect, and deliver.

David Bachman, General Manager of Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, N.J., got the idea from one of his members and her daughters who wanted to become actively involved and help their local hospital, Morristown Memorial. The club is now an ongoing supplier of food, beverages, and PPE equipment to its adopted hospital. 

When news of Spring Brook’s efforts surfaced in the media, Rob Goulet, CEO of Entertainment Sports Partners, and manager to Els, reached out to Bachman suggesting they turn this local program into a national campaign. In the process, ClubsHELP Foundation, a 501(c)7 organization, was born. 

ClubbsHELP began by assisting hospitals in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. ClubsHELP companies like Clif Bar and AT&T are already supplying Mt. Sinai and Bellevue Hospitals in New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The most pressing needs for the frontline hospital workers are basic food items that can be consumed quickly, PPE supplies, UV lighting for sterilization of phones and keys, and delivery services,” said Bachman. “Anything a member may be able to offer, including transport vehicles, personnel, or manufacturing capabilities, should be raised with their club and hospital captains.” 

The assistance of golf’s premier organizations, including the National Club Association and Golf Writers Association of America, and leadership have pledged to jump start the ClubsHELP program and make a swift and meaningful impact in communities throughout the United States. Additionally, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) have alerted their memberships that golf clubs across the country are activating. 

To be a captain, register your club, pledge support, or get additional information, access the web site at www.clubshelp.org or text ClubsHELP to 71441. 

Linksoul Raises $100K With Flatten The Curve Tees

In two weeks, Linksoul has raised more than $100,000 for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy through sales of its #flattenthecurve shirts.

It’s a neat design.