WHS Golf Teams Tee Up Club Donations for Needy Young Golfers, Military Families

photo credit:  GretchenMcMahonPhotography.com.

The Wilton High School Boys’ Varsity and Junior Varsity Golf Teams are participating in two programs to help others, by donating both their time and playing skills.

In the first effort, the boys will be collecting used golf club sets to benefit the First Tee Program at Fairchild Wheeler in Fairfield. The WHS golfers are asking Wilton residents to donate any clubs to their effort.

The First Tee program helps young golfers of all ages learn the fundamentals of the game of golf and, at the same time, build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through golf. Students at The First Tee participate in a seven-week program taught by PGA professionals and other volunteers.

The WHS teams are asking for golf clubs and accessories (e.g., golf bags) in good condition. Used drivers, sets of woods, sets of irons for use by adults and children, along with golf accessories (e.g., golf bags) will be accepted. Items can be brought to the Village Market on Friday, May 29, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., or to the Wilton YMCA on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m.-noon.

For their second charitable effort, the WHS Boys’ Golf Teams will play for “Birdies for the Brave Golf Team Pledge Program” throughout the 2015 season. This is the fourth year the teams are taking part. Donors can sponsor one of the varsity or junior varsity players and make pledges on the dates above when the teams will be at the YMCA or Village Market.

All funds raised will go directly to “Birdies for the Brave,” a PGA TOUR Charities program initiated by Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy. A number of other pros, including Bubba Watson, Nick Watney, Vijay Singh and David Toms, also participate in Birdies for the Brave, a military outreach initiative dedicated to supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. For each birdie or eagle made by a pro throughout the PGA season, a contribution is made to this charity program by corporate and other sponsors. Since 2005, the TOUR has joined with PGA players and corporate partners to raise dollars for military homefront groups that provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded warriors and military families, through fundraising events at TPC clubs nationwide.

The Birdies for the Brave Team Program works similarly to the PGA pros’ programs, except that high schools teams, like Wilton’s, raise funds while playing golf and “making birdies” in local high school matches. Pledges of any amount (e.g., $5, $10 or $20) can be made for each birdie or eagle made by a Wilton team player throughout the season. Pledges can be capped and flat rate donations of any size are also greatly appreciated.

For more information on donating used golf equipment or sponsoring one of the members of the Wilton High School Golf Teams’ Birdies for the Brave effort, call 203-210-5066 or email ehbayer@gmail.com.