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Want to spend a day with Justin Thomas, ranked No. 4 in the world, and his father at Medalist Club in South Florida? Or would you prefer the company of Ian Poulter at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla.? Maybe you would rather spend a few hours with putter guru Scotty Cameron getting personally fitted for a new flat stick. Or, if wedges are your thing, maybe you and two golf pals might enjoy the opportunity of getting fit under the watchful eye of wedge whisperer Bob Vokey.
These and other sublime golf experiences are available by virtue of an innovative COVID-19 relief effort created by Acushnet Golf, parent company to the well-known Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey, Scotty Cameron, Kjus, and Links and Kings brands. A warning: They are available through an auction, and the prices are steep. But the cause is good; all money raised will go to the COVID-19 Response Fund operated by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the United Way and the Golf Emergency Relief Fund. Better hurry, though. The auction ends Thursday at 9 p.m., Eastern time.
In the pages of GGP during the past few weeks, we have looked at how different golf organizations and people have stepped up during these different and difficult times. We wrote about the efforts of the USGA and the PGA of America to raise money. We looked at how the caddies of Bandon Dunes developed a creative fundraiser to help each other, and how the Outpost Club is raising money to help non-contract golf course employees like caddies, locker room attendants and car park valets. We looked at how PGA of America professionals like Brad Lardon are trying to help colleagues in need. And we wrote about Tommy Fleetwood’s bag man, Ian Finnis, and his efforts to help professional caddies who are currently out of work.
And now one of the leading golf equipment and apparel companies in the global game is doing what it can to help.
The backstory is interesting. Golf commerce in much of the world is shut down, and so too are Acushnet’s facilities for manufacturing and distribution. All of the U.S.-based employees are working from home, spending a lot of time on Zoom. Nonetheless, a team collectively came up with the experiences idea, enlisting key brand ambassadors to participate in the COVID-19 Relief Charity Golf Auction.
“Everyone was so enthusiastic about participating,” said FootJoy’s Ken LaRose. “No one gave it a second thought. You are always amazed by the generosity of people in times like this.”
This auction is a high-profile portion of a larger series of initiatives Acushnet has implemented since the pandemic began, including:
Golf gets more than its share of scorn in normal times. But show me a sport that does more to help mankind, in good times and bad. The Acushnet Company’s efforts are just one of many, but it is typical of our game.
Golf has always stepped up and it always will.
Top: Justin Thomas and his father, Mike
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