(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) - When Lucas Glover prevailed over his former Clemson teammate Jonathan Byrd on the first playoff hole at Quail Hollow to win the Wells Fargo Championship in early May, it continued a good tour year for many of the "Champions for Freedom" who have united through the vision of September's inaugural GOLF 9/12 event.
On the Monday, September 12, the day following the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, GOLF 9/12 patrons will tee off simultaneously at their home clubs and courses in what can become the largest multi-venue golf event in the world.
Embracing the power of technology, golfers that day will be connected via live mobile scoring and a real-time leaderboard. Participants will be able to check the mobile leaderboard as they play, and heckle and challenge friends wherever they are playing in a matter of seconds, using a custom GOLF 9/12 mobile phone application.
GOLF 9/12 is a grassroots, forward-looking initiative in which proceeds from funds raised from optional after-play gatherings and 9/12 Unity Dinners will be used to build relationships by supporting people and charitable organizations, upholding the spirit of freedom, especially in places where hopelessness breeds.
GOLF 9/12 invites all friends of freedom to unite: Never forget 9/11. Always remember 9/12. To register as a GOLF 9/12 Patron, go to www.golf912.org and learn how you can participate as either a golfer and/or volunteer, or by involving your own golf course and/or corporate organization.
More than holding up their end of the bargain, several of the "Champions for Freedom" representing GOLF 9/12 on the PGA TOUR in 2011 have kicked off their TOUR seasons in extraordinary fashion.
In January, PGA TOUR rookie Gary Woodland narrowly lost in a playoff to Jhonattan Vegas at the Bob Hope Classic. Yet in March, Woodland would come right back to fire a 4-under 67 and capture his first TOUR title at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort. In the first 12 starts of the young season, in fact, Woodland posted an impressive four top-10s.
Also in January, the always popular Sunday at Pebble Beach turned out to be a real Cinderella story as GOLF 9/12 "Champion for Freedom" D.A. Points captured his first PGA TOUR victory and ushered in amateur partner Bill Murray to the pro-am title at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am -- which for Points included a magical hole-out from 100 yards for eagle on Pebble Beach's difficult 14th to take the lead.
Later in January, another "Champion for Freedom", Davis Love III, was selected as the United States Ryder Cup captain during an emotional news conference at the Medinah Country Club, where the 2012 matches will be held in Medinah, Il. A 20-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Love has previously played on six Ryder Cup teams.
Love continues to play well on TOUR, too, including a recent tie for 12th at THE PLAYERS Championship, and he has teamed up with Bridgestone Golf for a season-long "GOLF 9/12 Birdies for Freedom" campaign to benefit GOLF 9/12. Bridgestone Golf will contribute $100 to GOLF 9/12 for every birdie that Love cards from the start of the 2011 PGA TOUR season through September 11th — a sum, based on Love's storied career that should climb above $30,000.
Meanwhile, 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman, whose father Johan is one of the organizers of GOLF 9/12, is quickly on the road to recovery from recent injury and has posted consecutive top 15s on the PGA TOUR for the first time since the conclusion of his 2008 schedule.
The Trevor Immelman Foundation has announced a "GOLF 9/12 Fairways for Freedom" promotion, with $10 being donated for every fairway he hits during the PGA TOUR season. Corporations and fans will be able to join in on this promotion by pledging matching amounts. Immelman quotes Nelson Mandela who once said, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."
"This is the hope behind GOLF 9/12, to help us remember the unity we felt the day after the 9/11 tragedy," says Immelman. "GOLF 9/12 provides a way for us to unite again, and personally engage in honoring, upholding, and celebrating the freedom we are blessed to enjoy."
Not to be outdone, "The Champions for Freedom" on the Champions Tour have enjoyed similar success. David Frost has finished Top 12 in six of his eight Champions Tour events in 2011, while Larry Mize has managed three Top-10s in just seven starts.
Other "Champions for Freedom" who have united for GOLF 9/12 include Dan Marino, Coach Lou Holtz, Steve Beuerlein, Wesley Walls, Jim Stuckey, Johnny Damon, Dan Jansen, Karen Palacios Jansen, Mike Eruzione, David Leadbetter, Ty Tryon, Kevin W. McCarthy, Carol Mann, retired General Buck Kernan and retired Marine Corps Lance Corporal Tim Lang, a wounded warrior and avid amputee golfer.
GOLF 9/12 is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status that will support The Pentagon Memorial Fund, The 9-11 Memorial, Flight 93 Memorial, local First Responders, Armed Forces Charities and Friends of Freedom Charities, including global outreach projects and educational programs throughout the world.
Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com
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