Fairborn, OH — PGA REACH Southern Ohio, the charitable foundation of the Southern Ohio PGA, is excited to announce the first-ever Play Yellow Birdie Bash event to raise money for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). It is set to take place at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club on June 1, 2021.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch the Play Yellow Birdie Bash in 2021,” said Joe Zinchini, Southern Ohio PGA President and the General Manager at Cincinnati Country Club. “Supporting the Play Yellow campaign, as well as great Ohioans such as Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, is an incredible opportunity to make a significant impact in Southern Ohio.”

In partnership with Play Yellow and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, PGA REACH Southern Ohio is hosting the event to raise money for the local children’s hospitals in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. 

The Birdie Bash will feature club professionals from all over Southern Ohio competing in a Doubles Golf (two-person scramble) format to raise money by making as many birdies as possible. Each team will be responsible for recruiting as many donors as they can, who will pledge to contribute money for each birdie the team makes throughout the day. 

Each team will play 72 holes in total, providing ample opportunity for birdies and donations. This all-day event is intended to be a fun and laid-back experience for all who participate, with the added bonus of raising money for a great cause.

With the support of golf icons Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the sky is the limit for this program. The Nicklauses are staunch supporters of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (Barbara is on the CMN Hospitals’ Board) and they helped launch the Play Yellow Campaign with the PGA TOUR in March 2019.  Play Yellow is a golf industry-wide initiative with the goal to raise $100 million over five years for the nonprofit. PGA REACH Southern Ohio is excited to contribute to that effort through the Play Yellow Birdie Bash.

“Barbara and I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the Southern Ohio PGA for supporting this great cause,” Jack Nicklaus said. “Barbara and I are proud of our relationship with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and applaud the impact they make in the lives of children every day. Play Yellow helps further their mission, and the SOPGA’s ‘Birdie Bash’ is a unique way to enjoy the game and raise funds for important causes like children’s healthcare.”

PGA REACH Southern Ohio supports three main pillars: Youth, Military and Inclusion. Through these pillars, the foundation hopes to grow the game of golf and help better the lives of everyone involved.  A portion of the money raised through this event will help support programming designed to enhance the lives of our military veterans, youth golfers and those that wouldn’t otherwise be introduced to the game of golf.

For more information about the event or to get involved, please visit thesouthernohiopga.com or reach out to Patrick Salva, Southern Ohio PGA Executive Director, at 937-637-9967 or psalva@pgahq.com. 

About Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals

Led by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and in cooperation with the PGA TOUR, “Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals” strives to bring the entire golf world together through charitable initiatives to help the 10 million kids treated at local children’s hospitals each year. For more information visit www.playyellow.org. For the latest news and updates on social media, follow Play Yellow on Twitter and Instagram at @PlayYellow4Kids and on Facebook at facebook.com/playyellow4kids.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion in unrestricted funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada. Dollars raised stay local and supports each hospital’s most urgent needs, whether that’s providing care to children without insurance, investing in research that discovers life-saving treatments and cures, training the next generation of doctors and nurses, or offering families comfort and peace of mind during the most trying moments of their lives. Changing the health of even one child or family creates a ripple effect felt by communities for years to come. When we change kid’s health, we change the future—for all of us. Learn more at www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkHospitals.org.  

About the Southern Ohio PGA

The Southern Ohio Section, PGA of America is an association of nearly 500 golf professionals whose mission is to promote the interest, participation and enjoyment in the game itself; establish and maintain professional standards of practice, and enhance the well-being of golf professionals. The Southern Ohio Section was founded in 1946. Find out more at www.thesouthernohiopga.com.

About PGA REACH Southern Ohio

Established in 2010, PGA REACH Southern Ohio, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the philanthropic arm of the Southern Ohio PGA Section, one of the 41 sections in the PGA of America. The Foundation is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars – Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion.