by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Several years ago, the PGA Tour decided that putting on world class golf tournaments with the best golfers on the planet wasn’t enough. While the Tour had been using its tournaments to generate money for local charities — The Players Championship annual luncheon features the public donation of millions of dollars — simply concentrating its efforts on the towns hosting the tournaments wasn’t enough.
Thus was born the “Giving Back” motto and nowhere was that on better display than Monday at the new clubhouse at the TPC at Sawgrass. Dozens of area businessmen, military and a few pros signed up to play in the third America Supports You Charity Golf Tournament at both courses. And while the weather didn’t cooperate, the mission was still accomplished. Hosted by PGA Tour pro Frank Lickliter, who was joined by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, the day-long outing that included breakfast, golf and a silent auction was designed to help six charities, all with a similar goal: to help U.S. Troops and their families in good times and bad. America Supports You was launched by the Department of Defense.
“Today is very special,”said Bill Hughes, general manager of TPC at Sawgrass, noting that last year’s event was held in a trailer in a field and this year’s was in the brand new multi-million dollar clubhouse. “Today, we recognize those who support and defend our freedom.”
Hughes said the genesis of the America Supports You events — which now occur all over the country — is to remind American citizens that members of its community are in the Middle East, and all over the world for that matter, defending the U.S.
“The money raised today will go directly to those serving in our military, the men, women and their families,” said Hughes.
Perhaps no speaker captivated the room like Amy Vasquez — who doesn’t play golf, but has been the direct beneficiary of the PGA Tour, its players and staff. Vasquez lost her son Josh in Iraq. One day, she was conveying that story to a group that included Dan Nevins, the community outreach manager for the PGA Tour as well as its military liaison. Nevins is also a veteran who lost part of his left leg in Iraq.
“The giving of your time, talent and money, you will make a difference,” said Vasquez.
Finchem said the ASY outings have generated $1.3 million over the past two years. The goal this year alone is $1 million and that should be reached through ASY outings across the country, the work of pros like Lickliter and Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy, Corey Pavin, Fred Funk and many others. A Tiger Woods signed golf bag also ought to help add to the pot considerably.
“We’ve taken great joy in playing a small part in honoring the men and women of our military over the years,” said Finchem. “We want to support them and their families in lots of different ways and raising money is a great way to do that.”
Lickliter has been to Iraq and Finchem called the stories he heard about the trip “phenomenal” and said he was proud of the role the players have taken in supporting U.S. troops.
“There are 700 employees at the Tour and it’s amazing how many tell me about their experiences,” said Lickliter, who lives in Ponte Vedra on Dye’s Valley Course. “Everyone knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who has been to Iraq or Afghanistan.
“What they do for us, the least we can do is what we are doing today.”
Lickliter pointed in particular at the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit that provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the specialized needs of severely injured service men and women.
“They do incredible things for the troops starting the day they get back and those things go beyond rehabilitation,” said Lickliter. “It’s amazing how many join Wounded Warriors after they are healed and participate for the rest of their lives.”
Nevins was in Ward 57 at Walter Reed Army Hospital recovering from a severe injury he suffered in Iraq Nov. 10, 2004. He lost the bottom half of his left leg and his right leg required 27 surgeries.
“I was bleeding out and my first thought was to stay conscious,” said Nevins. “My helmet was blown into three pieces and I had to stop my own bleeding.”
Fortunately for Nevins, he was very close to Combat Army Surgical Hospital in Balad, Iraq.
“It was a one-minute helicopter ride,” said Nevins, who joined the Tour staff in April.
While at Walter Reed, Nevins was introduced to members of the PGA Tour and staff and became the first adopted soldier of the TPC Sawgrass. Today, he travels the country for the Tour, helping raise awareness of the ASY campaign.
“I travel a lot and there are long days and we work nights and weekends,” said Nevins, who has picked up the game. “I love it and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
While the golf outing got washed out after one hole, the day proved beneficial. The live auction generated $15,000 and the silent auction came close to that number. It cost $2,000 per foursome to play the Stadium Course and $1,500 per foursome to play Dye’s Valley Course. The Tour declined to release exactly how much was raised Monday, but both courses were sold out.
Nevins said all the golfers were given rain checks to come back and play the course they paid for. Also, when they registered for the tournament, the golfers were given a free round.
Monday’s event also benefited Homes For Our Troops, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Naval Special Warfare Foundation and Operation Homefront.