POWELL, OH (May 24, 2022) – The Southern Ohio PGA, through the charitable PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation, is excited to announce the Play Yellow Birdie Bash in just two years has raised over $500,000 in support of Play Yellow, a program benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). The 2022 event played on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 added $267,113 to the inaugural year’s $238,705 fundraising total. The funds raised specifically benefit CMN Hospitals in Columbus, Dayton & Cincinnati as well as PGA REACH Southern Ohio.
“The Play Yellow Birdie Bash is all about community,” noted Southern Ohio PGA Executive Director Patrick Salva. “Our PGA Professionals, the women and men that teach, manage and lead the game in Southern Ohio, did an incredible job connecting with their personal networks to raise funds for a much larger community of Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and our PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation. Beyond that, they put on an exceptional display of skills out on the golf course by making a staggering amount of birdies over 72 holes.”
40 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 850 donors pledged anywhere from $5 to $300 per birdie with four teams total pledges equaling $1,000 or more per birdie.
The Play Yellow Birdie Bash was kicked off by Dayton Children’s Hospital Patient Champion Brody Heinrich, who hit a ceremonial tee shot to start play. Players were committed to their mission of making as many birdies as possible and started the day strong making 190 birdies in Round One. Heading into Round Two, a few special guests joined players on the course to cheer them on in making 170 birdies. PGA REACH Southern Ohio’s PGA HOPE Ambassador Burt Jones, United States Air Force, talked with players about his experience with the game while Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Patient Champion Cole Baughman assisted with green reading to help players make a few putts. As the temperature in Columbus warmed up, so did the players, making 185 birdies in Round Three. Sharing smiles and hi-fives on the 18th green was Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champion Payton Newell. The Final Round added 184 birdies to the event totaling 729 birdies made in the 2022 Play Yellow Birdie Bash.
2022 Play Yellow Birdie Bash Team Results
51 – Sam Arnold (Vineyard) & Brad Loomis (Miami View GC)
50 – Andy Montgomery & Alex Brickley (Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club)
48 – Shawn Costello & Ryne Burnett (Kenwood Country Club)
47- Barry Hinckley (Jefferson G&CC) & Danny Sorgini (Blacklick Woods GC)
43 – Chad Gilligan (Losantiville CC) & Doug Wade (Sugar Valley GC)
41 – Kyle Sanders (Ivy Hills Country Club) & Drew Muhich (The GC at Stoneline Hills)
38 – Joe Falardeau & Chris Yoder (Scioto Country Club)
37 – Dan Gage (Wedgewood G&CC) & Brad Zeitner (PGA)
36 – Jimmy Logue (The Country Club at Muirfield) & Jake Houston (Springfield CC)
35 – Ashley Thomas (GOLFTEC Blue Ash) & Mike Thomas (Vineyard)
33 – Ryan Coll & Chase Wilson (Columbus Country Club)
33 – Chad Middaugh & Erik Carlson (Muirfield Village Golf Club)
33 – Ben Bastel & Justin Van Heukelom (Worthington Hills Country Club)
33 – John Elking and Gip Hoagland (NCR Country Club)
33 – Tom Bach (Sharon Woods Golf Course) & Anthony Andrews (BlueAsh Golf Course)
32 -Jeff Grant & Rob Karnes (NCR Country Club)
31 – Bobby Sneed & Craigen Pappas (Heritage Club)
29 – Jeff Olson & Krissy Austin (the Golf Club of Dublin)
25 – Dave MacLaughlin & Andrew Oxender (the GC at Little Turtle)
21 – Reed Black and Date Gates (Dayton Country Club)
It wasn’t just donors getting in on the fundraising. The Memorial Tournament and Muirfield Village Golf Club also joined in as they 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 gave it their all during this fun, exciting addition over 60 minutes earning an additional $20,000 in donations.
Funds generated from the event will go to the three Children’s Hospitals in the Southern Ohio Section – 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 programs. Contributions to the Children’s Miracle Network will be presented to Play Yellow during a private check presentation on Wednesday at the Memorial Tournament. Funds raised for each hospital will be presented to their respective locations later in June.
All donations will be processed by the Southern Ohio PGA Foundation on Thursday, May 26, 2022 based on the number of birdies a donor’s team made and if the pledge had a maximum donation amount noted. Any donors who believe there to be an issue with the processed donation should contact the Southern Ohio PGA by email at sohiostaff@pgahq.com or by phone at (937) 754-4263.
About Play Yellow
Play Yellow, a program benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, brings together the golf community to help the 10 million kids treated at CMN Hospitals every year. Through special events like the Birdie Bash, 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 at 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.