North Florida PGA Members, family and friends rallied around a great cause with a Birdie A Thon for Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation. The Birdie A Thon was tied into the North Florida PGA vs South Florida PGA Challenge Cup Matches at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Pledges for birdies for players and teams raised $100,000! The North Florida Section solicited the entire Membership to get involved and raise valuable funds that will help children and families in need. The players also went to their members, families and friends to get pledges for support as well. The Challenge Cup Matches concluded with the North Florida Section team making 154 birdies and the South Florida Section team making 139 birdies! North Florida retained the Challenge Cup with a 13 ½ - 10 ½ victory over the South Florida Section.
The matches started out on a sunny morning yet ironically a rainbow appeared for a few minutes prior to the start! Arnie was watching! Players wore pink shirts on the final day to honor Mr. Palmer. The North Florida Section team members arrived at the matches with custom staff bags provided by MPD Custom Golf. Both teams played with pride and heart yet enjoyed the camaraderie of competing against their fellow PGA Professionals. There were really no losers this year because of the Birdie A Thon benefitting so many children and families! Our mission to continue the legacy of the contributions Mr. Palmer has given back to children, families and society will continue and we will fight on for Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation.
The check presentation will occur on the 18th hole of the PNC Father Son Challenge at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando on December 11. The Saunders family along with Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation representatives will be there to accept the contribution.
