ESPN E:60 and Tom Rinaldi take us into the exciting world of the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open.
The Thunderbirds Step in to Support Local Olympian’s Dreams
Since her time as a middle schooler, Macy Eide has always dreamed about representing her country as an Olympic hockey player. Her hard worked finally paid off and her dream came true in July when she was officially asked to join the U.S. Jr. Olympic team. The great news, however, came so abruptly – and so close to the time she would need to leave – it made arranging and paying for sudden travel expenses difficult.
In hopes to keep her dream alive, supporters created a GoFundMe page to raise the $5,500 Edie would need for her trip. With only three days left, Eide managed to raise nearly $2,000 before The Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open – stepped in and donated $3,600 so Eide could wear the stars and stripes and compete in the sport she loves.
Thunderbirds Charities Donates $1 Million to Special Olympics Arizona, More Than $3.1 Million to Other Valley Charities During Spring Funding Cycle
Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community – awarded more than $3.1 million in grants to 51 Valley charities during its 2018 spring funding cycle – including a record one-time donation of $1 million to Special Olympics Arizona for its new State Competitions Distribution and Training Center. Additionally, Thunderbirds Charities awarded grants of more than $100,000 to six Valley Charities; including $300,000 to St. Mary’s Food Bank, $200,000 to Child Crisis Arizona, $150,000 to Homeward Bound, $100,000 to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and $100,000 to Friendly House.
While the spring funding cycle is in the books, Thunderbirds Charities has announced that its 2018 fall funding cycle is now open. Information about the fall funding cycle can be found at HERE.
“Without a doubt, giving back to our communities is the most rewarding thing about what we do as tournament hosts,” said Carlos Sugich, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We’re thrilled and so proud to give these grants to deserving organizations around the Valley. It’s an honor to see where all the money goes from the WM Phoenix Open and how it impacts those in need in our community.
The $1 million donation to Special Olympics Arizona helped create a new Distribution and Training Center which allows SOAZ the opportunity to serve even more individuals with disabilities across the state, ultimately expanding the number of athletes reached while creating more teams and enhanced competitions for SOAZ athletes.
“We are honored to receive this momentous donation from Thunderbirds Charities for the new Special Olympics Arizona Distribution Center,” said Jamie Heckerman, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Arizona. “This donation will allow us to build a one-of-a-kind facility, which is a necessary component to our rapid growth as an organization and will be instrumental in allowing Special Olympics Arizona to better serve the community.”
The $200,000 donation to Child Crisis Arizona went toward its Head Start Expansion Renovation Project, which included a remodel of its Mesa facility to house two additional classroom spaces for 40 children, as well as child-sized bathrooms and additional Head Start staff offices.
“We could not be more thankful to Thunderbird Charities for their ongoing support,” said Child Crisis Arizona Chief Executive Officer Torrie Taj. “Their generous gift is allowing us to expand our education programs, and provide valuable services to families, many of whom lack access to quality early childhood education and parenting resources.”
The $150,000 grant to Homeward Bound went to Empowering Homeless Families with Children, a project that not only provides housing, but also offers parents access to financial resources and the ability to emotionally support and advocate for their children, while the children receive high-quality education and enrichment experiences.
“I continue to feel astonished by the generosity and commitment of The Thunderbirds to our children,” said Homeward Bound President & CEO Becky Jackson. “We get the pleasure of seeing the transformation first-hand, and know that each day, they are breaking the cycle of poverty, and learning to thrive. We are truly inspired by Thunderbird Charities.”
Additional grants awarded from the spring 2018 cycle:
| About Care | $25,000 | Volunteer Management Program Expansion |
| Arizona Council on Economic Education | $35,000 | Economics for Everyday Living II |
| Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped | $30,000 | PAES System |
| Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation | $20,000 | Extracurricular Activities |
| Arizona Science Center | $80,000 | CREATE on Wheels |
| Assistance League of East Valley Arizona | $20,000 | Operation School Belt |
| Be a Leader Foundation | $50,000 | PIPELINE of College-Going Programs and Matriculation Services |
| Bridging AZ furniture Bank | $5,000 | Veterans Furniture Project – Safe Equipment |
| Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation | $20,000 | Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy (AZMOM) |
| Child Crisis Arizona | $200,000 | Head Start Expansion – Renovation Project |
| Duet: Partners in Health & Aging | $10,000 | Grandparents Raising Grandchildren |
| East Valley Senior Services | $15,000 | Independent Living Volunteer Services |
| Educare Arizona | $20,000 | Early Education Extended Day Program |
| Elevate Phoenix | $50,000 | Discover Your Success Vans |
| Empact-Suicide Prevention Center | $55,000 | Trauma Healing Services – Therapy Advocacy |
| Esperanca | $25,000 | Literacy Programs |
| Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona | $25,000 | Programs for Children |
| Fresh Start Women’s Foundation | $100,000 | Program Expansion |
| Friendly House | $100,000 | Occupational Training Workforce Readiness |
| Friendship Foundation “Glencroft Wellness Center” | $10,000 | Pool Lift and Equipment |
| Furnishing Dignity | $10,000 | Essential Home Furnishings |
| Genesis City | $50,000 | Trailblazer Program |
| Higher Octane Healing | $10,000 | Social Connections |
| Homeless ID Project | $80,000 | Securing Lost/Stolen ID for the Homeless |
| Homeless Youth Connection | $50,000 | Empowering Youth for the Future |
| Homeward Bound | $150,000 | Empowering Homeless Families with Children |
| Honor House | $25,000 | Operation Healing Journey |
| Hunkapi Programs | $25,000 | Covered Riding Arena |
| ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth | $25,000 | Youth Development Program |
| Jumpstart for Young Children “Jumpstart AZ” | $15,000 | Workforce Development Program |
| Junior Achievement of Arizona | $15,000 | New Computers for JA Biz Town |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation | $25,000 | JDRF Community Outreach Program |
| K2 Adventures Foundation | $5,000 | K2 Programs for Youth |
| Maggies Place | $40,000 | Family Resource Center Services |
| Maricopa Health Foundation | $50,000 | Bridging the Mariposa Wings to Safety and the Refugee Women’s Health Clinic Programs |
| MentorKids USA | $10,000 | Student Success Program |
| Military Assistance Mission | $50,000 | Basic Life Needs and Support |
| Muscular Dystrophy Association | $10,000 | MDA AZCare Centers |
| Musical Instrument Museum | $50,000 | A World of Musical Journeys |
| notMYkid | $30,000 | Amplif(i) Program for BGC |
| Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | $20,000 | AZ Wolf Trap Early Education Arts Program |
| Soldiers Best Friend | $15,000 | Service/Therapeutic Companion Dog Program |
| Southwest Human Development | $50,000 | Children’s Clinic/Good Fit A/V Project |
| Special Olympics Arizona | $1,000,000 | 2018 State Competitions/New Distribution and Training Center |
| St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance | $300,000 | Rural Arizona School Pantry Program Expansion |
| Stand for Children “Arizona” Leadership Center | $15,000 | Family Engagement |
| Stepping Up for Seniors | $10,000 | Medical Assistance |
| Step-Student Expedition Program | $15,000 | STEP Phoenix College Prep Workshops |
| Treasures 4 Teachers | $30,000 | T4T Wheels |
| United for Change | $10,000 | Veterans Furniture Center |
| Waste Not | $30,000 | Refrigerated Truck |
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS/THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES
Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 280 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds, please visit, thunderbirdscharities.org.
ESPN’s My Wish | Morgan Meets Her Golf Idol
The WM Phoenix Open is full of memorable moments and emotional encounters, but for one 18-year-old from Tallahassee, the 2018 tournament provided an opportunity to meet one of her golf heroes: three-time major champion, Jordan Spieth.
Morgan Comer survived a rare liver disease at 10 months old which required a liver transplant. Then, 14 years later, she was diagnosed with cancer. She lost her long blonde hair, but not her resolve, and with the help of The Thunderbirds and ESPN’s “My Wish” series, she was able to caddie for Spieth, and even attempt a birdie putt on the famed 16-th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
Take a look at the video to see Morgan’s unbelievable story and her special meeting with one of the world’s best golfers – all possible because of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
PGA TOUR unveils significantly revamped 2018-19 Season schedule
46-tournament schedule concludes in August with 3 FedExCup Playoffs events.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR today unveiled a revamped tournament schedule for next season, providing an exciting change for players and fans as they are able to engage in – and better follow – a cadence of events highlighted by significant championships every month and culminating with the FedExCup Playoffs in August.
Highlights from the new 46-tournament schedule:
- The FedExCup Playoffs will feature three events, instead of four: THE NORTHERN TRUST, August 5-11 (125-player field); the BMW Championship, August 12-18 (70 players); and the TOUR Championship August 19-25 (30 players). TPC Boston will continue as a Playoffs site every other year, rotating with the New York City area as host of THE NORTHERN TRUST starting in 2020.
- As previously announced, two new tournaments have been added, though now the dates have been confirmed: the Rocket Mortgage Classic June 24-30, the first PGA TOUR tournament to be held in the city of Detroit; and the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities July 1-7, which becomes the first PGA TOUR Champions tournament to transition to the PGA TOUR.
- Per last week’s announcement, the RBC Canadian Open is moving from its traditional spot in late July to June 3-9, leading into the U.S. Open. Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario, will host the event for the first time since 2012.
- The Puerto Rico Open returns to the schedule following its cancellation this year due to the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico is slotted for February 18-24, the same week as the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.
- As previously announced, THE PLAYERS Championship moves from May to March (11-17) and the PGA Championship moves from August to May (13-19).
- Also announced previously is the final World Golf Championships event of the season, until now staged in Akron, Ohio, will be held July 22-28 at TPC Southwind in Memphis as the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational (replacing the FedEx St. Jude Classic).
- The Houston Open and A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier are moving to the fall and will be played next as part of the 2019-20 schedule.
“We are extremely pleased with the way the schedule has come together, particularly with the number of changes that were involved and the strength of the partnerships required to achieve this new look,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “It’s been our stated objective for several years to create better sequencing of our tournaments that golf fans around the world can engage in from start to finish. And by concluding at the end of August, the FedExCup Playoffs no longer have the challenge of sharing 2
the stage with college and professional football. This will enhance the visibility of the FedExCup Playoffs and overall fan engagement with the PGA TOUR and the game as a whole.”
Monahan credited FedEx, umbrella sponsor of the FedExCup, title sponsors and host organizations for their crucial role with the revamped schedule.
“Beginning with our 10-year extension with FedEx last May and continuing with many recent, long-term title sponsor commitments, as well as new sponsors and host organizations joining the PGA TOUR, our key constituents have validated our vision and the direction for our future,” he said. “Our thanks to these tremendous partners for their flexibility and support during this process. We feel strongly that together, we have created a schedule that will heighten interest in all tournaments while further elevating the FedExCup Playoffs.”
The season also features venue rotations for several tournaments, including the first two FedExCup Playoffs events. THE NORTHERN TRUST returns to Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, where it was last held in 2013, while the BMW Championship returns to Medinah Country Club near Chicago for the first time since 1966.
The three rotating major championships add historical notes to the schedule. Coinciding with the PGA Championship’s first May dates since 1949 will be its debut at Bethpage Black on New York’s Long Island. The Open Championship, meanwhile, will be held at Royal Portrush July 15-21, marking its return to Northern Ireland after nearly 70 years. And the U.S. Open (June 10-16), last held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2010, returns next year when the club celebrates its 100th anniversary.
About PGA TOUR
By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.
The PGA TOUR co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 28 countries (88 active members are from outside the United States). Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 1 billion households in 226 countries and territories in 23 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving. In 2017, tournaments across all Tours generated a record of more than $180 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to $2.65 billion.
The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
2018 WM Phoenix Open | Operation Shower
A look back at one of our favorite events from the Waste Management Phoenix Open – Operation Shower at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots Outpost. Last February, 30 military moms-to-be from Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca and the Arizona National Guard were honored during an Operation Shower/Birdies for the Brave group baby shower during tournament week. The moms are either active duty themselves, or the spouse of a deployed or active duty service member.
Each of the honored moms received Operation Shower’s signature “Shower In A Box” – a gift of high-quality products for mothers and babies that have been donated by companies across the U.S. Beyond these tangible items, the most meaningful gift may be the unique opportunity for the moms to gain comfort and support from other military moms in the same situation.