BOYLSTON, Mass. – The New England PGA’s Birdies 2 Benefit is set to take place on Monday, August 16 at Andover Country Club (Andover, Mass.). The new fundraising initiative from PGA REACH New England will feature NEPGA Professionals playing 72 holes at Andover CC to raise money for PGA REACH New England and additional local charities: Boston Children’s Hospital and Special Olympics Massachusetts.
RELATED LINKS: REGISTER TO PLAY | BIRDIES 2 BENEFIT LANDING PAGE
NEPGA Professionals will play 72 holes of golf in one day with the goal of making as many birdies as possible! Through each professional’s network, solicited donors make a financial pledge per birdie to “support their pro!” and help raise funds to benefit the three non-profit organizations.
PGA REACH New England is proud to partner with the Boston Children’s Hospital and Special Olympics Massachusetts as the beneficiaries of the day’s fundraising efforts.
“Special Olympics Massachusetts allows you to not only see the mission in action, but to be a champion of the mission in your community,” said Mary Beth McMahon, President & CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. “The NEPGA community has always been such a great example of this impact as a partner to Special Olympics Massachusetts and we are so excited to be expanding that relationship to the first-ever Birdies 2 Benefit fundraiser. We can’t wait for August 16th and look forward to a day where we can all experience inclusion.”
This all-day event is intended to be a fun and laid-back experience for all Section Professionals, with the bonus of raising money for three local charities.
“The generosity of PGA REACH New England will directly help patients and families looking for lifesaving answers,” said Michael Bornhorst, Associate Vice President, Corporate Development, Leadership Giving & Special Events at Boston Children’s Hospital Trust. “So often, families come to Boston Children’s as the last hope to heal their child. This support will help ease parents’ burden, fuel research and cover services that insurance doesn’t pay for. We’re so grateful for organizations like PGA REACH New England who provide crucial support.”
The NEPGA Professionals who register to play will have access to a personalized and user-friendly website, courtesy of a NEPGA partner, Links Technology. Each professional will have the ability to customize their Donation Page and share the opportunity with family, friends, and colleagues to help support the charitable organizations with birdie-by-birdie pledges.
The New England PGA would like to thank Andover Country Club for hosting the inaugural Birdies 2 Benefit fundraiser.
“Andover Country Club and the New England PGA have had a long running partnership, hosting education opportunities, meetings and tournaments,” said Andover CC head professional CJ Talbert. “We’re truly honored to be selected as the first host venue for Birdies 2 Benefit and I know our ownership and membership will support such a great cause.”
MORE INFORMATION
PGA REACH New England has and will continually work to promote the game and improve the lives of thousands of children, military veterans, and their families, as well as diverse populations through golf programs throughout New England each year. Although the NEPGA fosters competition, the New England PGA Charitable Foundation is designed to encourage fellowship, good sportsmanship, continued skill development, honesty, integrity, and etiquette.
Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving and advancing the health and well-being of children around the world through its life-changing work in clinical care, biomedical research, medical education, and community engagement. Boston Children’s is ranked the number one pediatric hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It is home to the world’s largest pediatric research enterprise, and it is the leading recipient of pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. Boston Children’s treats more children with rare diseases and complex conditions than any other hospital.
Special Olympics – Massachusetts is spreading inclusion to every town, every city, every school, every workplace, every community across the Commonwealth. The athletes, coaches and volunteers of Special Olympics Massachusetts are changing the way the world sees individuals with intellectual disabilities. We provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Andover Country Club, the dream of William M. Wood, the colorful head of the American Woolen Company, was built on the site of Chandler Farm and opened to great fanfare in October 1925. The 18-hole course was originally conceived and adapted to the natural contour of the land by course architect, W.H. Follet and completed upon his death by the famed designer Donald Ross. The architecturally significant clubhouse, built in the Spanish style with stucco exterior and striking red tiled roof, opened its doors in April 1926 and maintains its distinctive style today.
Through the years the club has been maintained and improved, most significantly through the ownership of Yvon Cormier who purchased the club in 1979 from the Donahue and Davidson families and set out to expand and redefine what today’s country club should be. Under Mr. Cormier’s stewardship, the clubhouse was completely renovated and enlarged adding hotel rooms, elegant dining facilities and ballrooms for events of all kinds and sizes from weddings, charity events and business functions to tournaments and golf outings.