Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, and Brittany Lincicome to "caddy for a cure."

CADDY for a CURE ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY WITH LPGA SUPERSTARS Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome at the SAFEWAY CLASSIC

Alpha Broadcasting Helps Promote Unique Opportunity  

To Be Inside the Ropes for a Day for Charity

(July 18th, 2011 - Coral Springs, FL) - Caddy For A Cure, Inc., the professional golf opportunity of a lifetime to go inside the ropes and caddy for a day, is offering another LPGA opportunity for THREE of the biggest superstars in women's golf, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, and Brittany Lincicome. The caddy opportunities will be on Thursday, August 18^th during the Kraft Pro-Am round preceding competition at the SAFEWAY CLASSIC presented by Coca Cola. The tournament is being played at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon just outside of Portland.

Caddy For A Cure offers PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour caddy opportunities through its website (www.caddyforacure.com) and linked auctions. 100% of auction proceeds are donated to charity. For the SAFEWAY CLASSIC, funds will be directed to the LPGA Foundation in support of the USGA-Girls Golf program, the Safeway Foundation, each player's charity of choice and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.

"We are thrilled to participate again with this unique program that directly supports the charitable mission of the LPGA tournaments," states Gail Graham, retired LPGA professional and president of the LPGA Tournament Owners Association. "We are always looking for ways to get closer to our fans and this is a perfect and unique way to accomplish that, particularly with players as popular as Natalie, Paula and Brittany. This tournament is always exciting, so it's a great venue for participating with Caddy For A Cure."

Russ Holden, Caddy For A Cure founder and veteran PGA TOUR caddy added, "It is such an honor to be offering these opportunities with three of the biggest names in womens golf. We launched our program with the LPGA last year and had a great experience.  All three of these players are not only known for their stellar play throughout their careers, but are also three of the biggest fan favorites in all of golf."  He continued, "Also great about these opportunities is that they are being coordinated with one of the tournament's presenting media partners, Alpha Broadcasting, who owns 6 radio properties in Portland and a statewide network reaching 18 markets outside of Portland. Alpha Broadcasting is promoting these exciting opportunities through their station Sportsradio 95.5FM, The Game (www.955thegame.com/pages/7832921.php). They will also be doing a live broadcast on the John Canzano Show during the practice round." He concluded, "We always look forward to providing our caddie participants with experiences they will never forget, and these opportunities with Natalie, Paula and Brittany at the SAFEWAY CLASSIC will be just that. It's a great way for fans to make a difference in the lives of many people who really need it through the great game of golf."

To bid on these exciting opportunities, go to www.caddy4natalie.com, www.caddy4brit.com, www.caddy4paula.com, www.caddyforacure.com or call 954-341-4600.  Also, please visit our sponsorsBoo Weekley Apparel at www.booweekley.ca, Sharpie pens at www.sharpie.com, VedaloHD Sunglasses at www.vedalohd.com, Thorlo Socks at www.thorlo.com, Tin Cup at  www.tin-cup.com and JetBlue Challenge at www.jetbluechallenge.com

 

Amm Liguori to "caddy for a cure" at Sebonek

By Ann Liguori


As you may know, cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases in our country. Currently, 1 in 4 deaths in the US is due to some form of cancer. Over the past several years, cancer research and early detection have decreased the cancer incidence rates by 1.3% in men and 0.5% in women. We are making progress, but have a long way to go before there is a cure. Sadly, cancer has no boundaries; it also strikes our children. The pain and fear of cancer touches all of us. It can suddenly strike a friend, a colleague, a precious family member, or become a personal experience. We have all witnessed the suffering that cancer patients must confront.
Years ago, the American Cancer Society asked me to host a charity golf tournament at Westhampton Country Club. Having lost my own Dad to cancer and my 22-year-old brother, Jim, to leukemia years ago, I was eager to raise money and awareness and do all I could for the cause. I became so involved, I brought in sponsors and my friends in the golf industry and the tournament became a huge celebrity golf event that took place every summer in the Hamptons for 13 straight years. In addition to the golf event which attracted players from throughout the U.S. and abroad, we host a dinner the evening prior at Duck Walk Vineyards in Water Mill, New York, which Outback Steakhouse caters. It is an elegant affair. It used to be only for the players and their guests; an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other before the golf event the next day. The one day golf tournament turned into a five day event, as supporters from all over came to the East End of Long Island to support the cause and enjoyed playing some of the finest golf courses in the world. We raised over a million dollars for the American Cancer Society and the celebrity tournament and dinner dance at Duck Walk Vineyards became an annual tradition. We continue to host both the charity golf event and the dinner dance at Duck Walk Vineyards every year, but now the two events are separate and a few months apart.

Four years ago, determined to continue to support the American Cancer Society and help additional groups, charities and individuals, I founded the Ann Liguori Foundation. The Ann Liguori Foundation has devoted time and funding for educational programs that encourage healthy eating, healthy life-styles and healthy futures.
Throughout my career as a sports broadcaster, I’ve seen the results and limitations of poor nutrition and a decrease in exercise in our country; specifically with our youth. It is now known that obesity contributes to one’s risk of cancer and other diseases, which only reinforces our mission and renders these nutrition educational programs even more vital to our society.

We expanded our reach to include a program called ‘Healthy Children, Healthy Futures,’ directed by BJ Carter, a program that teaches young people about good nutrition and fitness for over-all good health benefits. We organize nutrition education assemblies conducted by rock star nutritionist Jill Jayne, MS RD, and her Nutrition Education Through Entertainment program, in which she uses a multi-media presentation and her own singing and dancing, to teach and interact with middle school students in Southampton, Springs and Sag Harbor. The moment the assembly begins, Jill’s dynamic performance engages the students, teaching them about nutrition and how to disseminate the abundance of advertising messages that often bombard our youth, persuading them to eat and drink the wrong foods and beverages. (www.notetohealth.com)
Many of the students and adults who are in the audience have told me or members of my committee that these assemblies are the best they’ve ever participated in! A nutrition educational program was incorporated in the Southampton Middle School over a year ago in their health classes. The students also take part in media campaigns within the school and the community to spread the word and to educate others – classmates, friends and adults! Several of the students come on my radio show to discuss what they’ve learned from the programs.

This year’s golf tournament is Tuesday, May 17th at the world renowned Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton. Sebonack offers an exceptional golf experience and a clubhouse worth seeing! Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak, Sebonack features holes that offer stunning panoramic views of Long Island’s Great Peconic Bay and Cold Spring Pond. The tournament is sold out and we would like to thank the participants, donors and sponsors who are involved and have contributed through the years to the success of the tournament.

Sponsors for The Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic include Greg Norman Collection, Outback Steakhouse, Duck Walk Vineyards, Imperial Headware, North & West Coast Links and Eisinger Smith Custom Golf Accessories. Prizes for the top finishing teams include gift certificates to the Sebonack Pro Shop and prizes donated by Callaway Golf, Eazy Bag, Greg Norman Collection, Swing Rite Golf Clubs, Nespresso and Bobby Jones Golf.

Auction items include a golf trip for two to North & West Ireland to play courses including Royal Portrush, Portstewart Golf Club, Ardglass Golf Club, Ballyliffen, Rosapenna and Narin & Portnoo Golf Club donated by North & West Coast Links; an opportunity to caddy for a PGA Tour pro or LPGA Tour pro on the Wednesday pro-am day during tournament week, provided by Caddy for a Cure; rounds of golf and accommodations at Doonbeg Golf Club in western Ireland and opportunities to play Sebonack, Shinnecock and Hudson National, among a variety of top golf courses.

This year the Ann Liguori Foundation will honor Joann Dost, renowned golf course photographer. Joann, who played on the LPGA Tour for five years, has practiced the art of golf photography since the 1970’s. Joann lives in Pebble Beach and her work can be seen in national and international magazines. Her fine art is available in galleries worldwide. For more information on Joann, visit www.joanndost.com.

In addition to the charity golf event, we continue to host a dinner dance at Duck Walk Vineyards in Water Mill and both Duck Walk Vineyards and Outback Steakhouse continue to support the dinner, year after year. I can’t thank them enough for their generosity! The dinner gets better every year and has featured a plethora of celebrities and entertainment through the years. This year’s dinner is Friday, July 15th. For more information on the Ann Liguori Foundation, visit http://www.annliguori.com/foundation.php
Every one of us can make a difference in our own way!

Rickie Fowler Got His Plaid ON!!!

April 21, 2011

By Laury Livsey, PGA TOUR Staff

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.—Reminders of why Caddy For A Cure exists were everywhere Wednesday at Harbour Town Golf Links.

There was Rickie Fowler, resplendent in purple shirt and hat with white slacks, walking down the fairway with both of his caddies. His regular guy, Joe Skovron, was there, not a bib or bag in sight, while Jason Roberts was the one wearing the caddie bib and toting the bag during The Heritage’s pro-am. Roberts, a U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt., walked the fairways with the help of a prosthetic limb after he lost his left leg in a firefight in Afghanistan a little less than two years ago, and Fowler was more than glad to oblige.

Happily walking behind the golfer and the caddies were brothers Christian and Calen Collins of Macon, Ga. Both Christian, 17, and Calen, 12, are right around 3-feet tall, and both have Fanconi anemia, a recessive disorder that leads to bone marrow failure, among other serious issues.

It was a very happy fivesome, with Fowler the chief ringleader, joking and talking with Roberts, asking question after question about what he does as a soldier with the 2nd Marines Special Operations Command based at Camp LaJeune in North Carolina. Yes, despite his disability, Roberts is still active-duty.

The conversation would stop long enough for Roberts to give Fowler his yardage, the pro would pull a club and then hit his shot. With the ball safely on the green, Fowler and Roberts would pick right back up, talking about life in the Marines, including the Afghanistan battle that killed two and injured Roberts and three other soldiers.

“I had a lot of fun today. Talking to Jason about what he does now and what he did in Afghanistan was really cool,” Fowler said. “I was glad to participate.”

Roberts reciprocated those feelings. “Rickie’s been really cool. He’s easy to talk to, and Joe has been helpful telling me what to expect as a caddie,” Roberts said.

Meanwhile, Christian and Calen knew exactly what they were doing. This wasn’t their first pro-am. At other PGA TOUR events, they’ve spent time on the golf course with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Trevor Immelman and Pete Dye, among others.

On a hot, humid day here, while waiting for other pro-am participants to hit their shots, Christian and Calen walked along, occasionally strolling toward the gallery ropes. Fans would ask to take their pictures, and they obliged. They would chat with the gallery members and pass out their business cards, which signified their positions as Caddy For A Cure’s “National Spokesperson” (Christian) and “National Diplomat” (Calen). They even passed out Sharpie markers with their names on the pens to a fortunate few.

It was not your ordinary pro-am round, and Fowler agreed. “I’ve always enjoyed being around kids,” he said. “I know Christian and Calen look at life in a completely different way than I do, but they’re still out here smiling and having fun.”

Wouldn’t you, especially if Rickie Fowler, the 34th-ranked player in the world, leans down on his final pro-am hole of the day and asks, “What’s your favorite color?”

The Collins’ boys both answered “blue,” and Fowler said, “I’m going to sign some autographs after I’m done playing. But meet me by the putting green, and we’ll go get some blue stuff.” He’s a little vague about what the “stuff” could be but added, “They might be a little big, but that’s OK.”

True to his word, Fowler walked to the line of people surrounding Harbour Town’s ninth green who were waiting for an autograph, and Roberts and Team Collins headed toward the practice putting green. Russ Holden, founder of Caddy For A Cure, was left to sum up the day. 
Holden, a long-time PGA TOUR caddie and the organization’s founder, said a different PGA TOUR or LPGA golfer has participated in this unique caddie-pro-am program “230-something times, but I’m not really sure of the exact number.”

What he is sure of is that all the money generated by Caddy For A Cure is distributed equally among five different entities: The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave, the PGA TOUR Caddy Assistance Fund, the PGA TOUR’s host tournament charity and the participating player’s charity of choice.

Twenty minutes later, Roberts and the two Collins boys have reunited with Fowler. The foursome is passing through the Harbour Town parking lot. For Roberts, what’s another 50 yards after walking 18 holes while carrying a 40-pound golf bag? “I feel great. Yeah, there’s pain, but there’s always going to be a little pain,” he said, admitting that he’ll take a few aches and pains in exchange for the caddie experience.

In the players’ parking area, Fowler walked toward his courtesy car, hit the remote and watched as the hatchback of his car opened to reveal a large, black trunk. “This is my secret stash,” Fowler said while removing the lid. The contents of the trunk looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. There was a pair of green golf shoes on top, sitting among dozens and dozens of Rickie Fowler-style hats, every color imaginable.

“Blue, right?” he asked, reaching in and pulling out a royal blue hat for Calen and a light blue one for Christian. “You can’t have identical-color hats,” Fowler said matter-of-factly, and the boys didn’t disagree.
True to Fowler’s word, the hats were too big. But the boys put them on anyway, not exactly minding, and a threesome, two boys and a soldier, walked back toward the clubhouse fairly beaming.

Get your plaid on with Rickie Fowler

Headed to the low country and Hilton Head to have Rickie Fowler participate with Caddy For A Cure on Wednesday. We have a wounded warrior Jason Roberts going to be caddying on one leg, so this should be interesting indeed. He will be joined by Warren Gittlen, coming in from Pa!

Go to www.Facebook.com/caddyforacurefanpage for pictures all day from Harbour Town.

New Logo added for cFAc!

Caddy For A Cure is looking for more television exposure and have created a new logo that will be more visible to the public when on TV. Many PGA TOUR caddies will be wearing the logo on various items of clothing soon and will be getting some massive air time.