With as much as a PGA TOUR player faces week in and out – from practices and performances, to travel arrangements and lodging – any load they can lighten is a good thing. When that load has ties to charity, that becomes a great thing. At last week’s AT&T Byron Nelson, rather than family and friends hitting players up for tickets, they were directed to an online friends and family portal. There, donations of any amount for each ticket benefitted the Birdies for Mental Health Initiative and the Momentous Institute of Dallas. Well over $20,000 was raised for the tournament charity. AT&T Byron Nelson tournament partner Chisum Sports presented the idea, “Pros For A Purpose,” following conversations with Dallas-based players who regularly field a large number of ticket requests during a home tournament week. Many of the requests of players for tickets come at the last minute. They were often requests that players’ wives or managers would coordinate through the tournament office. A QR code was given to players linking to a self-service site. This allowed tickets to be ordered by player name, which was followed by a donation request. “The idea of offering an online ticket request page started out as a convenience for players, friends, family and the tournament staff,” said Julie Chisum with Chisum Sports, “but then players and player wives really got behind the donations to support the tournament charity.” “The tournament office noticed early in the week that we weren’t fielding the numerous calls, texts and email requests we normally get from players and wives trying to get tickets for their family,” said Jon Drago, AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament Director. “I love this,” said Kourtney Schenk, PGA TOUR Wives Association Board Member and wife of TOUR member, Adam Schenk. “During tournaments, the wives often have group texts to figure out who has extra tickets. It’s a lot to coordinate, especially during a home week when you have so many people who want to come watch. This ticket program makes it easy and allows the local charity to benefit because even small donations for each ticket add up.” “Pros For A Purpose,” a 501(c)(3), has donated more than $500,000 to various tournament charities and player foundations through player and celebrity-hosted events. “The impact of the golf community coming together is what makes this game and the PGA TOUR so special.” said Chisum. “When the AT&T Byron Nelson announced the Mental Health Initiative with May being Mental Health Month, the players and TOUR community really got behind the effort. Besides making lots of birdies, the ticket program was another way for players to do so.” “I think this is a great idea for other tournaments,” said TOUR member and Texas native Ryan Palmer. “I hear the Charles Schwab Challenge is already looking at doing something similar, and I hope they do. This week, my wife, Jen, and I were able to know our people had access to tickets and we didn’t have to be in the middle of all the requests.” Palmer heard right. When Charles Schwab Challenge Tournament Director Michael Tothe learned of the initiative and its success, he implemented the program to be utilized next week at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.
Click here to read the full article…
