POWELL, OH (June 1, 2021) – The Southern Ohio PGA, through the charitable PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation, is excited to announce the inaugural Play Yellow Birdie Bash has raised $238,705 in support of Play Yellow, a program benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). The funds raised will specifically benefit CMN Hospitals in Columbus, Dayton & Cincinnati and PGA REACH Southern Ohio.
“The men and women who came together for the inaugural Birdie Bash had one common cause; to help kids in need,” stated Scott Hilbert of Children’s Miracle Network at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Every participant was connected to that cause and it certainly showed! The impact of the funds raised will be felt throughout Southern Ohio in a time when it’s certainly needed.”
On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 30 PGA professionals from Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus gathered to play at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club in Powell, OH to raise money by making as many birdies as possible throughout 72 holes of golf, playing the Doubles Golf format (two-person scramble). Over the past few months, players recruited pledges from donors to contribute money for each birdie their team made in the Play Yellow Birdie Bash. Over 650 donors pledged anywhere from $5 to $300 per birdie with five teams total pledges equaling $1,000 or more per birdie.
The Play Yellow Birdie Bash was kicked off by 2016 Memorial Tournament Champion Will McGirt, who hit a ceremonial tee shot to start play. Players made their way around the course making 126 birdies in Round One. The next 18 holes brought a bit more excitement when Scioto Country Club’s Christopher Yoder, PGA Assistant Professional, made a hole-in-one on Kinsale’s par-3 13th hole. His great shot contributed to the 124 birdies made by the field in Round Two. Mike Auterson, PGA Head Professional, from Hickory Woods Golf Course answered Yoder’s hole-in-one with one of his own in the third round on Kinsale’s par-3 8th hole. This shot contributed to Round Three’s 141 birdies. The Final Round added 131 birdies to the event totaling 522 birdies made in the inaugural Play Yellow Birdie Bash.
2021 Play Yellow Birdie Bash Team Results
46 – Ryan Coll & Chase Wilson (Columbus Country Club)
41 – Mike Auterson (Hickory Woods Golf Course) & Dennis Wells (Little Miami Golf Center)
41 – Joe Falardeau & Chris Yoder (Scioto Country Club)
41 – Jeff Olson & Krissy Austin (Golf Club of Dublin)
40 – Andy Montgomery & Nathan Curtis (Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club)
39 – Chad Gilligan (Losantiville CC) & Doug Wade (Sugar Valley GC)
39 – Jeff Grant & Rob Karnes (NCR Country Club)
37 – Barry Hinckley (Jefferson G&CC) & Danny Sorgini (Blacklick Woods GC)
33 – Brian Jones & Ryne Burnett (Kenwood Country Club)
32 – Sam Arnold & Gregg Cooper (Vineyard)
32 – Ben Bastel & Monte Dyke (Worthington Hills Country Club)
32 – Chris Casto & Dan Gage (Wedgewood Golf & Country Club)
32 – Jimmy Logue (Cincinnati CC) & Jake Houston (Springfield CC)
21 – Dave MacLaughlin & Andrew Oxender (the Club at Little Turtle)
20 – Pat Bernot (GOLFTEC – Easton) & Ashley Thomas (GOLFTEC – Blue Ash)
As players were preparing to embark on their 72-hole journey, it was announced on Tuesday morning that leadership from the Memorial Tournament and Muirfield Village Golf Club had pledged an additional commitment to the event. For one hour, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, players were eligible to earn an additional $200 per birdie during the Memorial Tournament Power Hour. Players made an astonishing 64 birdies in only 60 minutes, increasing the amount raised by $10,000.
“What the men and women of the Southern Ohio PGA were able to accomplish today is absolutely incredible”, noted Southern Ohio PGA Executive Director. “To see the energy that was generated by our PGA Professionals and their donors in support of such a worthy cause in Play Yellow, shows how strong the golf community is here in Southern Ohio.”
Funds generated from the event will go to the three Children’s Hospitals in Southern Ohio (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s and Dayton Children’s Hospital) by way of the Children’s Miracle Network as well as PGA REACH Southern Ohio. Contributions to the Children’s Miracle Network will be presented during a private check presentation on Thursday during the first round of the Memorial Tournament.
About Play Yellow
Play Yellow, a program benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, launched alongside Jack & Barbara Nicklaus, brings together the golf community to help the 10 million kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. Inspired by Jack’s family friend Craig, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer, and his lucky color yellow, Play Yellow engages golfers in raising critical funds for children’s hospitals. Through special events like Family Golf Day, local tournaments, corporate partners, and Play Yellow Sundays on the PGA TOUR, Play Yellow helps change kids’ health and change the future. For more information, visit playyellow.org and follow on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised funds for 170 children’s hospitals that support the health of 10 million kids each year across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to the local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, cital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that pur kids’ and families’ minds as ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children’s hospital, visit 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.
Contact: Bretten Hill
Southern Ohio PGA
Foundation & Communications Manager
(513) 967-8904