October is PGA Reach Philadelphia’s Month of Giving. In honor of the occasion, I have partnered with my co-worker, Laura Schiavo. Together we have each committed to playing 100 holes of golf on October 10, 2019. Playing 1 ball and 1 hole at a time, we will be working to raise money for PGA Reach Philadelphia.
Proceeds from our 100 Holes of Golf Marathon will support programs and initiatives that focus on junior golf, military veterans, and diversity inclusion in and around the Philadelphia Section PGA — all initiatives that are important to me and my family.
Me and my father-in-law, a Navy Veteran and golfer.
Among the key programs that will benefit from our fundraising efforts, is PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the PGA of America’s flagship military program. Through PGA HOPE, PGA Professionals provide weekly golf clinics to Veterans with disabilities in order to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. I have seen first hand how golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans and believe that PGA HOPE is truly making a difference in their lives.
Other programs that will directly benefit from your donation to PGA Reach Philadelphia include:
My kids and I on the 1st hole at Lookaway Golf Club.
PGA Jr. League – Golf’s version of little league baseball is a developmental program that gives kids the opportunity to learn and play the game in a fun, social environment. PGA Reach Philadelphia provides funding for PGA Jr. League kids in need of financial assistance, giving them the opportunity to participate.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a golf rehabilitation program designed to introduce golf to military Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE over the past 4 years has had over 175 veterans go through the program.
Golf In Schools is a 5-week program that provides equipment and PGA instruction for students to learn the game of golf through their physical education classes at no cost to the school. Currently, there are 30 schools that take part in PGA REACH Philadelphia’s Golf in Schools Program through their physical education classes throughout the Philadelphia region.
PGA REACH Philadelphia Philly Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship will also benefit from our fundraising efforts. In 2019, PGA REACH Philadelphia awarded three scholarship opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the elite Philly Junior Tour (PJT). The PJT leads the region in competitive junior golf with over 90 events seasonally held at many of the area’s top facilities. Membership consists of junior golfers 18 years of age and younger who play a tournament schedule that covers all geographic areas of the Philadelphia Section.
During October’s Month of Giving, the Philadelphia Section PGA has a section-wide goal of raising $25,000, but with your support, Laura and I are hoping that we can reach that goal with just our 100 Holes of Golf Marathon event.
I have pledged $1 per hole ($100) and hope you can follow my lead by making your own pledge of $1, $2, or $5 per hole.
Thank you,
Michael Little, PGA
UPDATE: With generous support from the members of Lookaway Golf Club and our family and friends, Laura and I are happy to announce that we raised $22,900.00 through our 100 Holes of Golf Marathon! This is the most ever raised by a 100 Holes of Golf Marathon in the Philadelphia Section and we received unconfirmed notice that this may be the most ever raised by a 100 Holes of Golf Marathon in the country!
Michael and Laura raised $22,900.00 for PGA Reach Philadelphia with their 100 Holes of Golf Marathon.