Players Championship cited by fundraising group for its contributions to First Coast charities

Players Championship volunteers, PGA Tour winner Jim Furyk, and his wife Tabitha were involved in a check presentation ceremony in 2016, where they presented $2 million to Wolfson Children’s Hospital on behalf of The Players. This generous contribution led to The Players Championship being recognized as the outstanding corporation at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, organized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Florida Chapter. The event took place at the Hyatt Regency and honored companies that have made significant philanthropic contributions.

The Players Championship was nominated for the award by Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, as well as Nemours Children’s Health and the PACE Center for Girls. These organizations have been beneficiaries of Players Championship Charities in the past. Since its establishment in 1977, The Players has supported over 300 non-profit organizations in the First Coast area, with a special focus on youth services, education, health wellness and sport, character development, and military support.

The partnership between The Players and Baptist Health, as well as Wolfson Children’s Hospital, dates back to 1986 when a $1 million gift from The Players, alongside an additional $2 million commitment, led to the creation of The Players Center for Child Health. This facility has positively impacted the lives of 82,000 children, caregivers, and parents since 2012.

In more recent times, The Players Championship Village, Inc., a charitable affiliate of The Players, donated $3 million towards the establishment of a cutting-edge behavioral health unit at Wolfson Children’s. Furthermore, The Players made a $2 million commitment to Nemours Children’s Health in 2022 to support the construction of a state-of-the-art facility known as The Players Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Another transformational gift of $2 million was awarded to the Pace Center for Girls by The Players Championship Village. This funding will be used to implement a three-year pilot program in North Florida, providing substance abuse prevention and intervention services to girls and their families.

In addition to its philanthropic endeavors, The Players Championship is launching a grant program to provide golf equipment and resources to Northeast Florida nonprofits. These grants will be awarded based on need, and eligible organizations must possess 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and operate within the five-county First Coast area. The program aims to support local golf programs aligned with The Players’ charitable pillars. Eligibility is limited to organizations, and individuals and families are not eligible to apply.

The Players Volunteer chairmen, Tyler Oldenburg, Houston Bowles, and Lee Nimnicht, recently presented Savannah Gainey from the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and Jackson Kirby from Dreams Come True with new golf equipment, symbolizing the launch of the grant program. Lee Smith, a PGA professional and the executive director of The Players, emphasizes that proper equipment is essential for success in the sport of golf, making it a significant resource for the population in Northeast Florida and beyond. Nonprofits interested in applying for the grant program can find more information on theplayers.com/equipment.

Registration for the Jacksonville Area Golf Association First Coast Amateur has opened. This 54-hole stroke-play event will take place from January 13-15, 2024, at the Amelia National Golf Club in Nassau County. The tournament has previously been held at Hidden Hills and Hammock Dunes. Noteworthy participants in the inaugural First Coast Amateur in 2017 included Brandon Mancheno, who emerged as the winner at Amelia National. Last year’s tournament attracted players from various states, countries, colleges, and universities. To be eligible for the tournament, players must have a verifiable USGA handicap of 2.0 or less and be at least 16 years old by January 13, 2023. Interested individuals can enter or gather more information by visiting jaxareagolf.org.

Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth, a teaching professional at San Jose Country Club, has been honored by the North Florida PGA as its 2023 female player of the year. Connelly-Eiswerth achieved impressive results at the Section Championship and the NFPGA Professional Championship, solidifying her recognition in the golfing community. Her accomplishments extend to the national level, as she finished 34th in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship and secured a spot in the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

The Jacksonville Area Golf Association Scholarship Tournament, scheduled for November 20, is nearing full capacity. This event, held at the Deerwood Country Club, serves as the major fundraiser for JAGA’s Scholarship Trust, which benefits college students in the area. Teams can register for $175 per player, and various sponsorship opportunities are available. For further details, interested parties can visit jaxareagolf.org.

In tournament results, Christine Hunt and Tama Caldabaugh from Ponte Vedra Beach, together with Liz Breza from St. Augustine, played pivotal roles in leading the North team to a 20-12 victory over the South in the Florida Women’s Cup at Mountain Lake in Lake Wales. This marked the first time in the event’s 12-year history that the North emerged triumphant. Bruce Moskovciak from Jacksonville and John Thompson from Palm Coast secured a 12-shot victory at the Florida State Golf Association’s Net Two-Man Championship, held at ChampionsGate. They finished with a remarkable 22-under 122, thanks to their exceptional performance in the scrambled and best-ball rounds. The Northern Chapter Match Play Championship was won by Aaron Russell from the Sawgrass Country Club, who defeated Taylor Davis from Timuquana with a score of 2 and 1 at Sawgrass. Russell’s victory solidifies his status as a skilled player within the region.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.