ANDOVER, Mass. – PGA REACH New England and the New England PGA Section hosted the Fifth Annual Birdies 2 Benefit fundraiser on Monday, August 11th at Andover Country Club. NEPGA Professionals raised over $247,000 for three amazing charities: PGA REACH New England, Special Olympics Massachusetts, and the Child Life Services Department of Boston Children’s Hospital. The Foundation completed it’s goal, officially raising $1 million over the 5 years of the event from the fundraiser.
22 teams, ranging from 1-4 golfers, set out to play 54 holes of golf at Andover Country Club with the mission to make as many birdies as possible. Combined between all teams, the B2B squad racked up 956 birdies in the scramble or individual stroke play format event.
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Team Bay Club, consisting of Ben Egan, PGA, Greg Kelly, PGA, Joe Delorey, and Brady Weglowski tallied the most birdies in the event, with a total of 57 birdies, a new B2B record. Team Bay Club also raised a total of $28,821.50, officially pushing their total fundraising to over $100K since 2022 and becoming the 3rd team to accomplish the feat.
Team Holly Ridge raised the most money during the day with an astounding $51,672.00 for the three non-profit organizations with a total birdie count of 49. This team included Darren Falk, PGA, Jennifer O’Connor, PGA, and Joe O’Connor, PGA all from Holly Ridge GC.
Behind team Holly Ridge in donation dollars was Team Bay Club, collecting $337 per each of their 57 birdies. Team New Seabury, consisting of Frank Leja, PGA, and Jim Clay, PGA from The Club at New Seabury on Cape Cod, brought in the 3rd highest per birdie pledge, receiving $323 for all 41 birdies made. Team New Seabury was also third in money raised with $24,859.00.
Team Holly Ridge, Team Bay Club, and Team New Seabury were the only teams to crack the $20K mark on the day. Team Far Corner and Team NACC Nines tied for second in birdie count with 56. Team Sky Meadow (55 birdies) and Team Mount Pleasant (54 birdies) rounded off the only teams to crack the 50 birdie mark.
Charlotte, a patient and member of the Child Life Services Department of Boston Children’s Hospital, returned for this year’s event with her lemonade stand on the 10th hole. She brought refreshing drinks, smiles, and laughs to everyone who made the turn, and even signed many autographs as well. We hope to see her again next year!
Representatives from both Boston Children’s Hospital and Special Olympics Massachusetts were on site for the fourth annual event.
“We could not provide the additional experiences that we have without the help and support everyone here brings,” said Sarah Sullivan, Vice President of Trust and Special Events at Boston Children’s Hospital. “All of you being here and fundraising over the past 5 years gives the children the benefits they deserve. It is so amazing and we’re so thankful for this event and all of the participants and supporters!”
Nate, an outstanding Special Olympics Massachusetts Athlete, made his exciting return to PGA REACH New England for the day of fundraising and was able to get a few holes in throughout the day. During the second round of the day, the 15th hole tee box was transformed into a Special Olympics theme, and our golfers got to hang out with Nate and tee off with him.
Danny, a Special Olympics Massachusetts Athlete, made his mark on the day with an incredible National Anthem to kick off the event. All players and staff surrounded the green to witness an unforgettable moment as his voice swept the crowd with delight.
In just five years, PGA REACH New England and the NEPGA have raised $1,123,487 for the three non-profit organizations.
PGA REACH New England would like to thank Andover Country Club and the Cormier Family for once again hosting the Birdies 2 Benefit fundraiser. Andover is celebrating their Centennial Year this year and the day featured many nods to the 1925 era. Prior to the event, PGA REACH New England announced a new annual scholarship in the Cormier Family name, recognizing their past and future commitments to this very special day.
PGA REACH New England and the NEPGA proudly welcomed the supporting partner of the Birdies 2 Benefit initiative, UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) for their third year as the Official Player’s Partner.
UKG sponsored their fan-favorite feature of the event, the Hole-In-One Challenge on the 9th hole during the third round of play.
For the 3rd round, the B2B team coordinated a challenge where the 9th hole became a par-3 and the mission was to make a hole in one 108 yards away with three pin cups on the green, the middle one having a 8-inch diameter. Around the green were several staff and golfers watching each player attempt their shot in hopes to find a successor. For the first time in its 3 years, Rob Neaton, PGA of Team NACC Nines flung his ball over the front pin, backspun and darted straight into the cup for the hole in one! What makes it even more special is that this was his last shot in all 54 holes, ending his night in the best way possible.
“This is may be my favorite day of the year,” says Neaton. “And on the last swing to get it in 1…you can’t beat it.”
Just one of the many exciting moments of the day for the Birdies 2 Benefit event and year six is looking to be bigger and better.
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PGA REACH New England has and will continually work to promote the game and improve the lives of thousands of children, veterans, and their families, as well as diverse populations through the creation and utilization of golf programming that supports education, health and wellness, and personal development.
Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving and advancing the health and well-being of children around the world through its life-changing work in clinical care, biomedical research, medical education, and community engagement. Boston Children’s is ranked the number one pediatric hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It is home to the world’s largest pediatric research enterprise, and it is the leading recipient of pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. Boston Children’s treats more children with rare diseases and complex conditions than any other hospital.
Special Olympics – Massachusetts is spreading inclusion to every town, every city, every school, every workplace, every community across the Commonwealth. The athletes, coaches and volunteers of Special Olympics Massachusetts are changing the way the world sees individuals with intellectual disabilities. We provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Andover Country Club, the dream of William M. Wood, the colorful head of the American Woolen Company, was built on the site of Chandler Farm and opened to great fanfare in October 1925. The 18-hole course was originally conceived and adapted to the natural contour of the land by course architect, W.H. Follet and completed upon his death by the famed designer Donald Ross. The architecturally significant clubhouse, built in the Spanish style with stucco exterior and striking red tiled roof, opened its doors in April 1926 and maintains its distinctive style today.
Through the years the club has been maintained and improved, most significantly through the ownership of Yvon Cormier who purchased the club in 1979 from the Donahue and Davidson families and set out to expand and redefine what today’s country club should be. Under Mr. Cormier’s stewardship, the clubhouse was completely renovated and enlarged adding hotel rooms, elegant dining facilities and ballrooms for events of all kinds and sizes from weddings, charity events and business functions to tournaments and golf outings.