How to get in touch:
Phoenix Thunderbirds: 602-870-0163
Southwest Section PGA: 480-443-9002
Legend Trail Golf Club: 480-488-8723
Duke at Rancho El Dorado: 480-844-1100
Shalimar Golf Club: 480-838-0488
The Arizona golf community is stepping to the fore in order to raise money for victims left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with the Phoenix Thunderbirds leading the way with contributions totaling $150,000.
According to Bryon Carney, the Big Chief of the Thunderbirds, which sponsor the FBR Open, his organization will be a presenting sponsor at Saturday’s LSU-Arizona State football game.
“We wanted to be part of that, so we could give (the relief effort) a local flavor,’’ said Carney of the $100,000 the Thunderbirds have earmarked for the Bush-Clinton Hurricane Relief Fund.
Carney said the Thunderbirds also will donate another $50,000 through the PGA Tour’s initiative called the U.S. Golf(cq) Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. That fund has been seeded with $500,000 from the PGA Tour, which plans on raising $5 million through its various tournaments and TPC network.
The Southwest Section of the PGA announced earlier this week that it plans to host a benefit tournament entitled “Play Golf for the Gulf.’’ That event will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale.
“We felt compelled to help out the community of the Gulf Coast, which is dealing with life-threatening situations every day,’’ said Kathy Wilkes, the executive director of the Southwest Section. “(The section) is committed to match the funds collected from the event to a maximum amount of $50,000.’’
Other members of the golf community also have pitched in, planning fund-raisers ranging from a Cajun-styled dinner at Legend Trail Golf Club in Scottsdale to a scramble tournament at the Duke at Rancho El Dorado in Maricopa to an instructional clinic at Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe.
“Whatever it takes to help these people out,’’ said Mark Bishop of Legend Trail Golf Club, which is hosting a New Orleans-style dinner featuring such Cajun favorites as jambalaya, shrimp creole and beans and rice to red beans on Friday evening, Sept. 23.
“It’s $60 per person, with all the money going directly to the American Red Cross.’’
The Duke also plans on contributing all the money it raises Friday afternoon in a four-man scramble and silent auction to benefit the Red Cross. Foursomes are $100.
“It was the first thing that came to mind: how can we get money to these people as quickly as possible,’’ said Kris Strauss of Scottsdale-based O.B. Sports, which manages the Duke.
At Shalimar, head pro John Gunby put a little different twist on the relief effort planned for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 1.
“We all realize the devastation to our Gulf States by Hurricane Katrina, and we just want to help out any way we can,’’ said Gunby, who will teach a free clinic with long-time pro Mack McCarley with donations coming in several forms.
“At the same time, we don’t want to forget about our local community, so this effort also will benefit the Webster School in Mesa for homeless and disadvantaged children.’’
In that regard, all cash donations will go to the Red Cross while donations for such items as children’s clothing and basic essentials like shampoo, deodorant and tooth paste will help the kids out at Webster School, Gunby said.
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