Playing for something bigger

Golfers are usually thought of as independent creatures. They practice alone, play for themselves and when they reach the highest levels of the game are working for their own survival. However, if you look closer, you’ll find golfers that are out playing for something much bigger than themselves.

That was the case at the Under Armour® / Vicky Hurst Championship in Choudrant, La., as three juniors were participating in the newest addition to the American Junior Golf Association’s Leadership Links program, Playing for their Future supported by the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation.

Emily Campbell of Carrollton, Texas, Thadd Obency II of Wheeling, W. Va., and Philip Barbaree of Shreveport, La., are all working to raise money in honor of a specific child and his or her fight against cancer, as well as the AJGA’s ACE Grant Program, which is designed to provide financial assistance to those juniors with the skill to play a national junior golf schedule, but lack the financial recourse to do so.

“I’ve always tried to be a giving person so I really want to help this boy and his family with their fight against cancer,” said Obency, who has reached out to the entire membership of his home golf club for help in raising money for this worthy cause.

Juniors who participate in this initiative are given an individualized web page with their picture on it, a picture of the child they will be honoring and their own statement asking for support. Campbell said that the first time she saw a picture of her child there was a very emotional response.

“It made me sad when I saw this kid who was struggling with this,” Campbell said. “But at the same time, it made me feel good that I was doing what I could to help them”

Going in to the Under Armour® / Vicky Hurst Championship, Campbell, Obency and Barbaree had combined to raise more than $1,500 for the cause. For more information on the efforts of Campbell, Obency, Barbaree and other juniors involved in Leadership Links, as well as to see how you can get involved, visit ajga.org.

by Teddy Newton, AJGA Staff