North Florida PGA's 'Birdie A Thon' raises $100K for Arnie's Army

Orlando, Fla. – Troops comprised of North Florida PGA Members, family and friends rallied around a great cause with a Birdie A Thon for Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation. The Birdie A Thon was tied into the North Florida PGA vs South Florida PGA Challenge Cup Matches at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Pledges for birdies for players and teams raised $100,000. The North Florida Section solicited the entire Membership to get involved and raise valuable funds that will help children and families in need. The players also went to their members, families and friends to get pledges for support as well. The Challenge Cup Matches concluded with the North Florida Section team making 154 birdies and the South Florida Section team making 139 birdies. North Florida retained the Challenge Cup with a 13 ½ - 10 ½ victory over the South Florida Section.

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The matches started out on a sunny morning yet ironically a rainbow appeared for a few minutes prior to the start. Arnie was watching. Players wore pink shirts on the final day to honor Mr. Palmer. The North Florida Section team members arrived at the matches with custom staff bags provided by MPD Custom Golf. Both teams played with pride and heart yet enjoyed the camaraderie of competing against their fellow PGA Professionals. There were really no losers this year because of the Birdie A Thon benefitting so many children and families. Our mission to continue the legacy of the contributions Mr. Palmer has given back to children, families and society will continue and we will fight on for Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation.

The check presentation will occur on the 18th hole of the PNC Father Son Challenge at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando on December 11. The Saunders family along with Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation representatives will be there to accept our contribution.

About Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation
Arnie’s Army is marching toward a better tomorrow by investing in the well-being and development of children & youth, supporting health & wellness initiatives, and strengthening communities & the environment. Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation is a registered 501 C 3 non-profit organization that supports institutions and organizations that help children, youth, families, the environment and the communities in which we live. We believe that together, Arnie's Army is marching toward a better tomorrow. That’s something we hold close to our hearts. We believe it is our mission to invest in the well-being and development of children and youth, supporting health and wellness initiatives and strengthening communities and the environment. We believe that Arnie's Army is united behind something stronger than ourselves. For more information visit www.arniesarmy.org

About the Challenge Cup Matches
Started in 1981, The Annual North Florida PGA versus South Florida PGA Challenge Cup Matches are conducted in the spirit of competition, camaraderie and fun. Each team consists of their 12 best players as determined by their player of the year points lists. The format is a Ryder Cup style competition and the winners hold the Challenge Cup until the next matches. Each Section takes turns hosting the event annually at some of the premier golf courses in the state.

About the North Florida PGA
The North Florida PGA (NFPGA) is a group of approximately 1,500 PGA Members and Apprentices, serving the needs of the golfers of North Florida. It is a not-for-profit service organization founded in 1979 and one of the 41 Sections that make up the PGA of America. Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has grown into the world’s largest working sports organization with more than 27,000 Members and Apprentices. The North Florida Section is the fourth largest in the PGA, geographically comprised of the 42 counties from Tallahassee to Jacksonville in the north, and North Port to Melbourne in the south. The mission of the North Florida Section PGA is to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The North Florida Section PGA accomplishes this mission by enhancing the skills of its professionals and the opportunities for amateurs, employers, manufacturers, employees, and the general public. In so doing, the North Florida Section PGA elevates the standards of the professional golfer’s vocation, enhances the economic well-being of the individual member, stimulates interest in the game of golf, and promotes the overall vitality of the game. The North Florida PGA Hall of Fame is located at Reunion Resort in Orlando. For more information about the North Florida PGA visit www.nfpga.com or call 386-256-1221.