Golf Fore Africa - 4th Annual East Coast Classic

New York - Golf Fore Africa announces its upcoming golf tournament and event, The 4th Annual East Coast Classic on Monday, July 13, 2015 at Friar’s Head, New York. 

This event allows fans of the LPGA and supporters of Golf Fore Africa to have an opportunity to spend a day golfing with stars from the LPGA while raising funds to support GFA’s Project Zambia. With 50% of rural Zambians lacking access to clean water and one of eleven children dying before the age of five, Golf Fore Africa partners with World Visions’ WASH Program that plans on reaching 305,000 people with water. Around 280 communities will benefit from WASH interventions.

This year’s group of 22 LPGA professionals includes several World Golf Hall of Fame members and current stars of the LPGA tour such as Juli Inkster, Lexi Thompson, Christina Kim, Angela Stanford and Cheyenne Woods. Each amateur will have the opportunity to play with two of the LPGA professionals, nine holes with each. The night includes a live auction hosted by Paige Mackenzie from Golf Channel that will be auctioning off a Pebble Beach Golf getaway, golf at Bandon Dunes for four and a chance to purchase a round of golf with LPGA pro Katherine Kirk at Flint Hills.

Last year’s Golf Fore Africa’s 3rd Annual East Coast Classic event raised more than $275,000.

“My experience at the recent Golf Fore Africa outing was unrivaled. As a corporate sponsor, I was delighted to assist this incredible organization to help those less fortunate with clean water. As a golfer, the experience was pure joy,” said Corey Roberts, CEO of RRD Partners Inc.

To be become a corporate sponsor for this event register here:
http://www.golfforeafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/87487-2-GFA-RegForm.pdf


To simply donate to Golf Fore Africa’s efforts: http://zambia.golfforeafrica.org/donate/

About Golf Fore Africa
Golf Fore Africa is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing help and hope to children and women in Africa. It their our core belief that a positive difference can be made in the lives of children, women and entire communities by funding projects that provide: clean water, education, medical care and assistance, training on HIV/AIDS prevention, agricultural assistance and support for micro-economic development. Golf Fore Africa was founded in early 2007 by LPGA Hall of Fame Golfer Betsy King following a 2006 trip with World Vision to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Betsy took this trip with a prayer to hear God’s call on her life and a desire to explore Africa. After witnessing the terrible plight of AIDS and its devastating effects on the children of Africa, she came home with a burning passion to make a difference in these children’s lives and a vision to do so using her gifts and experience in golf.


About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

See more at: http://www.worldvision.org/about-us/who-we-are#sthash.HhsyJ4h9.dpuf


About Friar’s Head
Friar's Head is a golf course located in Baiting Hollow, Long Island. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this 350 acre private course is ranked 23rd in the USA and 37th in the World by Golf Digest.

For more information visit -- http://www.friarshead.org/

100 Years in the Making - Golfer Finally Plays Pinehurst - The Spirit of Golf

At what age is it too late to quit chasing your golf dreams?

Before you answer, meet Dr. M.O. Owens.

The Gastonia, N.C. pastor recently celebrated his 100th birthday in the grandest of ways -- a round of golf with three friends at famed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course in Pinehurst, N.C. It was the first time that the avid golfer and recent centurion had played the historic course.

"The round was a gift from the members of the church for my birthday," he said. "It was a really nice present, a wonderful way to celebrate turning 100. I had visited Pinehurst a few times, seen the U.S. Opens there in 1999 and 2005, and even played the No. 8 course -- but this was my first time on No. 2."

And was the round worth waiting 100 years?

"It was a great time," he said with a big smile after the round. "I didn't play as well I would have liked, but just being here and getting a chance to play such a wonderful course -- that's really special."

Pinehurst Resort certainly thought it was special.

"One of the great joys of golf is that it is a game that lasts a lifetime," said Don Padgett II, President of Pinehurst Resort. "Dr. Owens is a remarkable man, and through his tremendous faith and belief in others, has made a lasting impression on countless lives. It was an inspiring moment to watch him enjoy his round of Pinehurst No. 2."

Dr. M.O. Owens is a pastor by trade and calling, but his heart has room for golf.

Lots of golf.

Dr. Owens first started playing golf as a teenager in Taylors, S.C.

"There was a course, a small 9-hole course with sand greens, that was free for anyone that lived in the area to go play. So I did. I only owned two clubs -- a 7-iron and a putter -- but that didn't stop me from playing as much as I could."

And Dr. Owens has been playing ever since.

"Golf is just a great time. I've always said you need two things to enjoy golf. One, the ability to relax completely. And two, the ability to concentrate totally. It sounds like a contrast but it really isn't. And that's part of what makes the game so great."

Dr. Owens shares the benefits of golf with the same joy he shares the gospel.

"We have a group of members at the church, about 20-25 guys, that go out and play every Tuesday. They travel around to different courses and just have the greatest time. I try to join them as much as I can. It's a great place to be. Sometimes, I can't go because of other obligations -- but if I can make it, I always do because it's such an enjoyable experience.

He has a wealth of great stories from his 100 years but one collectible he has certainly stands out. Dr. Owens owns a gold-plated putter that once belonged to famed golfer Babe Zaharias.

"It was a gift from a lady, a neighbor, who knew Babe and knew how much I loved golf," he says. "It's a piece of golf history and I do really appreciate it."

Dr. Owens certainly appreciates history. In early November, he found himself on his way to his alma mater -- Furman University -- to attend his graduating class' 80th year reunion. He is the sole surviving member of that class.

"It's always fun to go back," he says of his collegiate reunions. "It's not about celebrating what you've done, it's about celebrating the journey to get there."

The same could be said for his recent round at Pinehurst.

Related: More on Dr. Owens round at Pinehurst here.

In 2014, Pinehurst No. 2 will host both the men's and women's U.S. Opens, a feat that's never been done before. And though Dr. M.O. Owens may never hoist a major championship trophy, his presence and his game will leave an indelible mark on golf and at Pinehurst in a way that celebrates the game far more than most could ever dream. Not in a hundred years.

The Spirit of Golf is a celebration of the most important stories in golf - your stories. Though magical moments are associated with major championships or the Ryder Cup - the very best times are found when playing with family, friends, in helping a greater cause or traveling to a bucket list course. We invite all golfers to read, share and contribute their own great memories as we all work together to enjoy the "Spirit of Golf". If you have a good story for the "Spirit of Golf" - you can contact John Kim at john.kim@pga.com

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This article was written by John Kim and was originally posted on PGA.com.  Images in this article were courtesy of David Belle Isle

Amen Corner: God's Golfers

(CNN) -- Forget hitting the greens -- it's the fairway to heaven which is on the minds of some of the world's top golfers.

From Augusta's Amen Corner to an Amen on every corner, these golfers practice what they preach.

Players from across the PGA Tour meet regularly at a Bible group, whose members include high-profile stars such as major champions Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson and Stewart Cink.

Each week, the group will study one particular verse, with some players such as Kevin Streelman taking that particular scripture and getting it printed onto a golf club.

For Streelman, who won his first big PGA Tour tournament at the Tampa Bay Challenge in March, his reawakening has come following a period of struggle in his personal life.


God's Love
"I would lie if I said that I was previously that way," he told CNN's Living Golf.

"My journey has been incredible but I have been in the darkest lows to get to where I am today, to meet my wife, to be the father I hope to be."

His conversion has made Streelman think deeply about what Christianity potentially demands of the individual.

"The thing with Christianity is it's tough for us to understand that whether you're Mother Teresa or the Boston bombers, God loves us all the same.

"We all fall short of his perfection and that's the reason the gospel happened and Jesus had to come down and save us.

"When you wrap your mind around that, I think it kind of frees you up, that no matter what, he loves us incredibly much, and he's got our back no matter what."

On the course and off the course, the Bible group is the invisible club in the bag -- some members pause midway through their rounds to read from the New Testament, meditate on holy scriptures and, of course, pray.


The Word
With crucifixes on balls, prayer books in the golf bag and scriptures printed on clubs, the Almighty's presence is never far away for these God-fearing golfers.

"We do something before every round," Ben Crane, an integral member of the group, revealed during an interview with CNN.

Crane, who grew up in a Christian household, wrestled with his religion during his college years before finding his way back to God.

"We do a devotional, and it's called a player's devotional, a bunch of us players on Tour do it," he said.

"It's a way of us getting our hearts warmed up before we play. We get our bodies warmed up, our swings warmed up, we get our minds warmed up, but we want to get our hearts warmed up and remind ourselves why we are doing this.

"It's not like a Jedi mind trick. My caddy and I meet two hours and 20 before every tee time and we start with The Word and ask each other questions to reflect on it, and it gets us going, this is why we're here."

When the PGA Tour reaches Merion, Pennsylvania, on June 13 for the start of the U.S. Open, one man in particular will be praying for a repeat of last year's success.

"I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life," Simpson, who won at San Francisco's Olympic Club 12 months ago, revealed after his triumph.

Belief
A one-shot victory over Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and fellow American Michael Simpson secured a first major title for the 27-year-old -- a success with which he believes his religious belief was key.

"My verse that week was Second Corinthians 12:9 and the Apostle Paul's writing," Simpson recalled during an exclusive interview with CNN.

"In it, 'God said to me my grace is sufficient for you for my powers made perfect for weakness' and I just meditated on that verse all week.

"On that back nine I felt very weak, I felt physically weak, my legs were shaking, but I also felt I had a huge mountain to climb to try to beat the field at the U.S. Open and more than anything it just reminded me of that when I am weak.

"God's powers are made perfect. He'll help me if I ask him too, not necessarily to help me to win, help me to try to execute shots under that pressure.

"We want to honor and glorify God however that looks like. Whether it's winning, surely we want to try and to win, but if it's missing the cut, we want to honor him by our attitudes in the way we treat the other competitors, the volunteers."

It's not just some of the world's best golfers who hold deeply religious convictions on Tour.

Simpson's caddy Paul Tesori is just one of those who believes his life has been revitalized by religion.

Baptized in 2010, Tesori says his whole outlook on life has been transformed -- and that is reflected by his blossoming partnership with Simpson.

"I started to do things to be more obedient to the Lord," said Tesori. "My language changed, we all hang around with the boys, and want to fit in a lot more so one of the first things I changed was my language, to try and be less uncouth.

"If my daughter was watching me, I'd try to think what she would think of me at that time or if Christ was sitting with me there, would he be OK with the way I was acting. Very quickly after that I was fired from a job. I'd never been fired before.

"But in December 2010, the Lord brought me Webb Simpson and since then my walk has got 10 folds better."

Hypocrisy
While Tesori's faith is a source of great pride to him, he is aware of the skepticism that he encounters in espousing his beliefs.

Describing himself as a "sinner saved by Jesus" on his Twitter biography, Tesori also acknowledges the glamorous lifestyle and materialistic nature of the game opens overtly religious players up to accusations of hypocrisy.

"They look down on me and I definitely think there are a lot of Christians that are like that," he said.

"I know my pastor at my church tells us all the time, 'Look guys we can't be the ones that are complaining, bickering or getting divorced or having affairs, if we're the ones that are trying to call more people into the living.'

"People are going to look at us and say, 'I don't want to be part of that.' "

Faith in sport is nothing new -- the sight of soccer stars crossing themselves on entering the field of play, kneeling to offer prayer or pointing to the sky after scoring a goal is common.

Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley recalls how he turned to the Bible during his first PGA Tour event more than a decade ago after speaking at the Easter service earlier in the day.

"I went out and on the last hole I was pretty nervous," he said. "I quoted Second Timothy 1:7 which says 'God did not give your spirit fear but of power and sound mind.'

"I was quoting that as I was nervous around the putt. I stood there and said, 'This is for you, Jesus,' and knocked it in."

Baddeley's tale is not unusual, and the sight of golfer and caddy standing together and reciting from the Bible no longer raises eyebrows from seasoned spectators.

Puzzle
Sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella, who has worked with some of the biggest names in golf for the past 29 years, believes faith helps athletes cope with an "achievement orientated society."

Rotella helped Darren Clarke claim a famous victory at the British Open in 2011 and Keegan Bradley triumph at the PGA Championship in the same year.

"People can feel like if you don't achieve, you're a terrible person or you're a failure," he said.

"I think for a lot of people that believe, they think 'Well I'm OK no matter how this turns out,' which really takes the pressure off a putt or a shot.

"It doesn't mean that everyone that believes in God is going to win the tournament, I think that would be a mistake to think that's what it does."

Rotella has worked with 74 winners from the men's, women's and senior tour throughout his career, gaining a unique insight into what helps the world's top golfers succeed at the very highest level.

He has explored the idea that a belief in God helps performance

"That's a big piece of the puzzle that these players are trying to deal with," he said.

"On the other hand, you try to get these players to understand that God probably doesn't really care if you win a tournament or make a putt or hit a good shot.

"If God did care about that, he's probably not the God that we'd like to believe in, so that's where it gets fascinating.

"But I think it allows them to be happy away from the course, and I think the other part of it is that when you're living on the road all the time, to have a belief in a God keeps you on the right track in terms of values and morals and how you live your life.

"I think a lot of players feel there's a sense of destiny that God gave them a gift of God and a passion for golf, because God wanted me to do some incredible things with my life."

Refuge
Zach Johnson, who won the Masters at Augusta in 2007, concurs with Rotella that his religion has helped provide perspective on his life.

"I am a believer; I believe in Christ, I believe he died for me," the 37-year-old American, who is away from his family from months at a time and competing under constant pressure told CNN.

"I feel I'm ultimately blessed that I play this game for a living and the perspective on it is that I don't want my identity to be wrapped in the fact that I am a golfer.

"I'd rather be wrapped in the fact that I am a Christian. I feel blessed and lucky that I can play this sport. It's a job -- that's crazy -- but I will never forget my number one priority and that's him."

Like many of his fellow Bible group attendees, the opportunity to talk about Christianity offers a refuge from the constant media spotlight which surrounds the Tour.

"It gives me peace about my days," Johnson said of his faith.

"If I have a bad day, it's irrelevant; if I have a good day frankly it's irrelevant. My scorecard is irrelevant. The best part is when I get here and I can see my family.

"I think a lot of us Christians out here like to utilize our platform and witness what is important in our faith. If anything I would like to witness when I have a bad day, that's really what it boils down to."

Fellowship
The bond between members of the Bible group remains strong, with each week offering a new opportunity to discuss a religious tenet.

And as the word spreads, the group's attendance figures are growing with the next generation of players fiercely proud of their religious faith.

"If you look at it from a sheer numbers stand point of view, you think 'Wow maybe that God thing is working' because there are so many believers on Tour," added Crane, who regularly discusses religion with his 105,000 followers on Twitter.

"I think it's because there are so many ups and downs with the game of golf and guys that have been out here for five to 10 years, and all of a sudden you expect to play a certain way.

"Those expectations are very hard to deal with. When you first come out on Tour you're extremely nervous, you want to do well and your identity is so much wrapped up in how you play and that's how other people see you.

"You think that's how people like you, based on your performance, and with my relationship with Christ I get relief from that."

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This article was written by Rachel Wood and James Masters for CNN - Living Golf.  The original article can be found here:  http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/03/sport/golf/golf-us-open-webb-simpson-god/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

We are reposting this article as part of our 'Faith & Fairways' series where we hope to shine light on how faith impacts golfers both on and off the course.  We encourage you to comment below and/or join in the conversation with us on Twitter using #GolfForGod. Be sure to connect with us @EatSleepGolf

Thy Club and Thy Staff

Thy Club and Thy Staff tees up twenty-one devotions bringing together the basics of good golf and the fundamentals of strong faith. These insightful reflections give readers guidance for honing their skills on the course and on their walk of faith. Meredith Wright Kirk brings passion for God and a lifelong love for golf to these approachable and inspiring meditations.

Even the most seasoned golf professional knows how the mechanics of one’s swing quickly can go awry and how the smallest changes in angle and arc yield frustrating slices and trips into the rough. Living out one’s faith in God presents the same sorts of challenges; small changes in the hidden recesses of one’s faith result in drastic turns in one’s path of discipleship. Thy Club and Thy Staff brings together the wisdom of faith and sport to strengthen both, whether the practitioner is a beginner or a seasoned veteran.

When your game is at the top of its form and you are swinging straight and true, these devotionals provide wisdom, helping you seek God’s help in living your faith with the same kind of rhythm and timing and flow. When you enter rough patches, and both your swing and your faith feel erratic and off-kilter, the simple truths in these devotionals, gleaned from the word of God and the wisdom of golf will guide you along the path leading to renewed trust in God’s grace and to refreshed technique on the golf course.

Check out this sample of one of the daily devotions:

Day 9: The Umbrella of God

I have always been a fan of the legendary golfer, Ben Hogan. His pursuit of the perfect swing and sheer determination to become one of golf’s finest players, even after a devastating injury, has always been a highlight of his persona. In fact, Ben Hogan made such an impression on me as a young adult golfer that I named my Labrador retriever, Hogan, and my firstborn son, Ben, after him. I’m sure you can imagine some of the looks I received from endearing parents at the park as I said, “Ben … Hogan … get over here.”

In 1949, Ben Hogan was in horrific car accident that nearly crippled him. He was thirty-six years old and at the peak of his career. I can’t imagine what he was thinking when the doctors told him that he would probably never play golf again. In his humanness, he had to have felt a sense of utter despair and loss. His devotion to golf became irrelevant. In one brief moment, a lifetime of devotion was snatched away.

Maybe you have suffered from a physical accident or ailment or have been through a situation that has radically altered your life. Or you may even feel that something was snatched away from you. The best place to be in this situation is under the umbrella of God.

Please understand and know that God does not do things to harm or hurt you. In fact, everything God does is good: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” (1 Chronicles 16:34). We live in a fallen world, period. Bad things happen to all people. The Bible says that it “rains on the just and unjust.” The good news is that God has the power to turn evil and bad into good. He created the world, and he ultimately controls it. He can do what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants to do it.

God is good to those who seek him (Lamentations 3:25), and he brings good out of bad circumstances (Romans 8:28). God is the gentleman who holds the umbrella for you in the rain. We all have trials. If you don’t, just wait; one will come. Trials are like storms; they vary in size and magnitude. Some pass quickly, while others are like a monsoon. It is how you choose to live during these times that will test your strength, endurance, and character. “That is why we never give up. Though are bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

Ben Hogan made a choice after his near fatal car accident, and that was to stay under the umbrella of God. With that attitude and will, he won the U.S. Open at Merion sixteen months later. The most classic picture of him is when he teed off on hole sixteen at Merion, his back to the camera and his pelvis perfectly parallel to his target. Who, including his own doctors, would have thought he would be in contention again, much less in that physical position?

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us” (Romans 5:3–5). Now we all may not be as fortunate as Ben Hogan, but all things will work for good, either here or in eternity—or both. God promises it, and he cannot lie. Never give up on what God is calling you to do. Prepare for the rain, and stay dry under the umbrella of God.

About the Author:

MEREDITH KIRK is a USGTF level three certified golf instructor and is passionate about teaching golf to all levels of players. Her teaching methods combine golf mechanics with a mind-body-spirit connection. She holds a BA from Coastal Carolina University in Public Relations in the Church and is a graduate of Trinity Bible College and Theological Seminary with a degree in Biblical Counseling. She and her husband have three sons and live in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Purchase this Book online:

God is Like Water

It's no secret that Ben Crane is a very spiritual guy...he loves Jesus Christ and glorifies God every day. But water and God? Something in common, other than the creation thing?

Find out why as reporter Steve Copeland fromSports Spectrum interviewed Ben this week.

Ben Crane stood over his ball, stopped, and looked over at me through his sunglasses.

“Dude, I just thought of a great idea for the article,” he said, in the middle of stroking putts during his practice round on Tuesday.

“What is it?” I asked, standing behind the ropes and chuckling at the irony of it all. Here was a PGA Tour player practicing for what he would later tell me is one of his favorite tournaments of the year—the Wells Fargo Championship—and he’s standing over a putt thinking about a feature story for Sports Spectrum magazine.

“I’ll tell you on the next tee,” he said, looking back down at his putt.

I interviewed Ben on the driving range before his practice round but didn’t expect to talk to him again. He graciously gave me his time on the driving range—talking about everything from the depths of the Bible to the goofy helmet (see below) he wears in his videos—and I was solely following him for one reason: to watch him play golf.

Yet here we were. I wasn't going to complain.

“Walk with me,” Ben said as we proceeded to the fifth hole, continuing our interview from before.

We stood on the tee box. It was late in the day, his playing partners left, and there were only a handful of people in the gallery—which made it just Ben, his caddie, Joel Stock, and I, practically alone during a beautiful evening on one of the Carolina’s finest courses.

“The number one goal in life,” Ben said, explaining the concept he wanted me to include in the article, “is dependence on God. I learn that…then I re-learn it.”

As we walked up the fairway, he continued to tell me about the importance of depending on God—how he made that his theme for Masters week, how he’s trying to get the people he mentors to understand the exact same thing, how a book he’s reading continues to challenge him in that regard.

We didn’t talk a whole lot more until the end of the round. I kept my distance, not wanting to be the reason that he wasn’t adequately prepared for the first round on Thursday—because a shaggy-haired sports writer kept bothering him about his faith.

But on our walk to the No. 7 tee—he probably doesn’t even remember this—Ben looked at me and said, “You’ve gotta be getting thirsty. I’m sure there’s water in the cooler you can take.”

I think I responded with something stupid, like the number of Cokes I downed that day at the media tent. But whatever. I just talk sometimes.

By that time, Ben had joined up with a golfer from Georgia—Brian Harman, I think—who had speakers in his bag softly playing country music, which I thought was kind of cool and an essential tidbit to include in this column. Again, I just talk.

But as both of them teed off, I remember looking at the cooler of water and thinking about everything Ben said a couple holes before.

God is like water, I thought to myself.

If I went much longer without water, I would continue to grow more and more thirsty. I may continue to try to quench my thirst with other things, but in the long run it wouldn’t satisfy. I would still need water. By the dryness of my mouth and weakness in my body, I would be reminded of my need for water—my dependence for water.

God is like water. You can try to quench your longing for fulfillment with other things—money, job, family, friends, fun, etc.—but in the long run, they won’t satisfy. And God will remind you that they don’t satisfy by the emptiness you feel. By the dryness of your mouth and weakness in your body, He’ll remind you that you need to depend on Him.

There’s nothing wrong with being dependent on something. It’s freeing. When I’m dependent on God, I don’t have to worry about being in control. God is in control, and His plan—though I may not always understand it—is better anyway. It makes sense.

“Like Romans says,” Ben told me earlier on the driving range, “the more you understand who you are without the Christ, the more you love Christ and understand His grace, truth, and forgiveness.”

God is like water. Ben Crane taught me that.

So I opened the lid. And I took one.

Bubba's Bash

A dream for Bubba Watson is becoming a reality on May 29, 2012… the inaugural BUBBA’s BASH.

For three years now, Bubba Watson(who is the longest driver on the PGA Tour, ranked #18 Golfer in the World, #10 on the 2012 PGA Money Winnings, and has 3 top 5 finishes in 7 tournament appearances this year) has been wanting to host an event that would draw people from the golf and music community together for a cause. That cause is The Bubba Watson Medical Clinic in Liyavo, Africa.

Ten of the best artists in Christian music are coming together on 1 stage at the LC Pavilion in Columbus Ohio for an event that is sure to get more than the normal “golf clap.” Grammy Award winning TobyMac, along with Grammy nominated Jeremy camp will be co-headlining the event. The supporting cast is second to none in Jamie Grace, Trip Lee, Jonny Diaz, Andy Mineo, Thi’sl, Canon, Pastor AD3 and Reconcile.

Not only will there be live music but during the event, Bubba Watson’s close friend Judah Smith (Pastor of City Church, Seattle) will lead a panel discussion consisting of Questions for Bubba Watson and others (announced at a later date). Judah will also serve as the emcee for the night.

Bubba and Angie Watson have stressed that the most important thing to them as a couple is sharing the gospel of their personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Whether this be through music, sharing of their personal faith or the raising of The Inauguaral Bubba’s Bash coming to Columbus,Oh Page 2 awareness and funds for this medical clinic the ultimate goal for the night is to draw those in attendance closer to Christ.

In discussions for the first annual Bubba’s Bash, we determined that the funds generated from this event would be utilized to partner with Unreined Ministries and their efforts to build a medical clinic on the 5 acres of land they have purchased in Liyavo Kenya. This medical clinic will serve as the third building that will be built on the land in Liyavo. Unreined Ministries’ Janelle Taviano raised enough funds to purchase the land in 2010, and since then has installed a well, built a church, and a house for the Simiyu Family. The Simiyu Family (Benson, Dorcas, Gloria, and Rock) will be in attendance at the first annual Bubba’s Bash.

100% of the proceeds will go to build the Bubba Watson Medical Clinic. Tickets for Bubba’s Bash are only $30.00 and go on sale April 5th .at 10 a.m., Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.com , all ticket master outlets and you can charge by phone by calling, 800.745.3000.

For more information on Bubba’s Bash, visit www.bubbasbash.com 

Who is Bubba Watson?

April 8, 2012 - With his ball in the Augusta National woods on the 2nd playoff hole, Christian golfer Bubba Watson came up with the shot of his life, a 155-yard pitching wedge that clinched the 2012 Masters championship and his first major championship.

What an amazing finish to an awesome event, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.  For those who missed it, Bubba Watson came out victorious in the 2012 Masters after two intense playoff holes versus Louis Oosthuizen.

A few weeks ago we posted the article 'Who Are Your Role Models?'.  If you missed it, we highlighted a real stand up guy on the tour Ben Crane; another that we'd like to add to the list of role models on the PGA tour is undoubtedly Bubba Watson.  Here's a great article from the Billy Graham Association written by Trevor Freeze that provides some great insight into Bubba Watson both on and off the course...

There's something different about Bubba Watson.

And he doesn't care if you know it.

The winner of the 2012 Masters golf championship realizes he's not like most famous athletes.

In fact, he welcomes it.

"People always ask 'Why is Bubba different?'" said Watson during a phone interview from Scottsdale, Ariz. "They're just trying to figure it out."

Watson's identity is not wrapped up in his freakishly long drives from his lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed swing — he leads the Tour with a 315-yard average.

Rather, take one look at his Twitter profile and you may figure out what's different about Watson.

@bubbawatson: Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer. Owner of General Lee 1.

And pay close attention to the order.

Watson is an outspoken Christian golfer and he uses his Twitter account — along with his platform as one of the PGA Tour's magnetic personalities — to share about his faith in Christ.

"For me, it's just showing the Light," the 33-year-old said. "There's people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It's just a way to be strong in my faith."

TWITTER OUTREACH

Last April, just before teeing off on the final round of the Masters, Watson took advantage of his social media platform to Tweet out two Bible verses on Sunday morning.

He followed that up talking about his faith, his relationship with God, Tweeting out more verses and the impact of Christian artists on his iPod.

Some started complaining about his 140-character witnessing tactics, but Watson's response was simple: Feel free to unfollow, but the talk about God wasn't going away.

Some 100 people quit following him and in true Bubba style, he reached out and wished them well with goodbye notes.

This past month more Christian haters have tried to derail Watson's testimony — or as he mildly puts it, "write bad stuff."

But Watson doesn't take offense, even when it's the sole intent.

When someone tells him "Your God Tweets are lame," Watson responds with, "I will pray for u and ur family."

Among the 39,000-plus messages he's sent into the Twittersphere, he's sure to spread the Gospel message:God made everything & saved us from our sins & gives us hope and gives us eternal life! #Godisgood

Sometimes he'll Tweet out some of his favorite verses: "Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"

Or he'll use his PGA platform — like the day after taking the lead with a headline-grabbing 10-under-par 62 at last month's Cadillac Championship — to bring God into the mainstream conversation.

Watson's Tweet before his third round: The most important thing in my life? Answer after I golf 18 holes with @JustinRose99. #Godisgood

Later that day: Most important things in my life- 1. God 2. Wife 3. Family 4. Helping others 5. Golf

"Lecrae said it the best," Watson said of the Christian rapper he listens to on his iPod. "He doesn't want to be a celebrity. He doesn't want to be a superstar. He just wants to be the middle man for you to see God through him."

'BUBBA GOLF'

As golf's official major season bloomed this week, and Watson winning a major for the first time — only his fourth PGA Tour career victory — Watson seemed like a long shot. His best finish at Augusta National has been a tie for 20th in 2008.

But winning is no longer everything for Watson. There was a time in his life where drives slicing into the thick, 5-inch stuff or birdie putts rimming out would get the best of him and his blood pressure.

Watson will tell you, Angry Bubba was not a good look. Unbecoming, for sure.

"I was so wrapped up in 'Why am I not winning?'" Watson said. "It created frustrations in my head and in my life."

Things got so heated on the golf course, Ted Scott, his caddie since 2006, finally gave him an ultimatum.

"My caddie finally stepped up and said, 'You're going to have to change, or I'm going to quit,'" Watson said.

Watson's temper-laced decorum was replaced with what some call "Bubba Golf," which stresses golf mechanics less and puts a heavy focus on just playing golf and having fun on the course.

And it's working.

Watson won the Travelers Championship in June of 2010, the Farmer's Insurance Open in January of 2011 and the Zurich Classic a few months later.

Last month, Watson led the Cadillac Championship after 54 holes before fading in the final round, missing a 9-foot putt by inches on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.

Old Bubba may have let that one fester for weeks. New Bubba brushed it off with a satisfied smile and slight head-tilt.

Watson credits three strong believers — Scott, along with his trainer Adam Fisher ("Fish") and Watson's wife Angie — as the difference in his attitude.

"I've really got a good team around me trying to help me succeed," said Watson, who has long supported many charities, including the upcoming Bubba's Bash and the infamous "Golf Boys" video project. "Not just in golf, but off the golf course, to be a light for Jesus."

PGA BIBLE STUDY

Perhaps the most powerful Christian impact Watson has experienced has been the PGA Tour's weekly Bible study, held every Wednesday night during tournament weeks.

Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd and Webb Simpson, along with Watson, are some of the regulars, with attendance ranging from 16 to 50 on a given week.

"For me it's a way to get back connected with the Bible and with God and Jesus," Watson said. "Now you know other people you can talk to, ask questions to, tell them what you're thinking, tell them what's going on in your life."

The one-hour study is something Watson looks forward to regularly: "Getting more in the Word and realizing that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can."

NEWLY-ADOPTED SON

Watson's journey to Christ isn't uncommon.

He grew up in Bagdad, Fla., as one of the good guys: "Didn't cuss, didn't cheat, didn't steal, didn't lie, didn't drink, didn't do drugs," he said. "I was doing the right things but I didn't know what that meant."

It wasn't until his senior year in high school when two twin neighbor girls, from the house directly behind his, invited Watson to their youth group. He went and found a place where he belonged.

"The girls asked me to go to church," he said. "And after a few times going I realized this is what I wanted to do. This is truth here. And I gave myself to the Lord."

But with all the pressures of college golf, especially on the weekends, it wasn't until 2004 that Watson became serious about his commitment to Christ at the University of Georgia. He began dating Angie Ball (former WNBA player) and the two began living for God as a couple.

"We wanted to be Christ followers," Watson said. "We wanted to do the right thing. We started turning to the Lord for our decisions."

The couple married in September 2004 and were both baptized later that year, the day after Christmas: "I would say 2004 was my true time of becoming a Christian," Watson said, "and shaping me into the man I am today."

And just this week, Bubba the Man has become Bubba the Father. The Watsons began another chapter of their life, adopting a 1-month-old boy (Caleb), a journey that began several years ago.

Fittingly, Watson broke the news on Twitter: Everyone @angieb1433 & I are proud new parents of a 1 month old baby boy name Caleb. Been a parent for 2 days. #amazing

Who Are Your Role Models?

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who affect us in a way that makes us want to be better people. To advocate for ourselves and our goals and take leadership on the issues that we believe in. We often don't recognize our true role models until we have noticed our own personal growth and progress . . .

With the PGA Tour reaching millions of people around the world, I wanted to take a look at the field and highlight a true role model.  Not just someone who's a great golfer, but someone who demonstrates a passion for life, is dedicated to more than just golf, but also to his family, his community and his faith.  Who did we find? None other than Ben Crane.

Ben won his PGA Tour card in 2002 and won his first event the following year in 2003 (the BellSouth Classic).  Since then he's won three more PGA tournaments and hopes to add to that list during 2012.  Ben has a lighthearted attitude towards life and a great personality that is driven largely by his faith.  His personality is characterized well in his series of online videos, if you haven't seen any of them, take a look at a couple of my favorites...

I mentioned faith being an integral part of Ben's life, here's an excert from BenCraneGolf.com where Ben addresses his views on his faith...

"I am currently in my 9th year on tour. God has taught me so much, brought me through all the ups and downs. There have been seasons of great success on the course and great struggle, including debilitating back pain where I thought my career was over. Through it all, God always has something to teach me. Looking back, his plan has been perfect. God has blessed me with an incredibly supportive wife and amazing children. We are honored and grateful to have a life filled with so much purpose as we desire to use this platform to be an encouragement to others. So many great friends and leaders in the faith have poured into me, encouraging me along the way. I have learned to live in the present, embrace the day and what lies ahead, and to rely on Jesus and his strength because that is when I am my best. I focus on scripture when I play and the devotional that we created has given me such life on the course. James 4:10 says, "when you bow down and admit your dependence on me, I will lift you up and give you honor." That has really rung true in my life -- as my dependence grows on Christ, my strength increases."

I hope you'll join us in cheering on Ben throughout the remainder of the 2012 season! Best of luck Ben, you are a true role model to us all!

Golf's Sacred Journey

There are hundreds of golf books on the market, some that teach etiquette, some that help improve your swing, some that attempt to tackle the mental side of the game, and others that are just for entertainment.  Of all the golf books I've read to date, there's only one that I consistently find myself recommending to others, it's called "Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia".  This book not only transformed the way I look at life on the golf course, but also the way I look at life off the golf course.



It's a book that can be appreciated not only by golfers, but by non golfs as well, and at only 150 pages or so, it's a quick and easy read.  A family member gave this book to me, and by the time I reached the end, I have to admit, I felt truly inspired.  This book takes the reader on a journey through the life of a struggling golfer, which includes a combination of fiction and non-fiction elements to the story.  

Utopia is a real place and it the setting for the book.  Author Dr. David L. Cook describes it as a place where your life and golf can be transformed. The Links of Utopia is a "virtual" golf club where you can journey from success to significance. You will find truth, encouragement and an opportunity to use your influence here.

Golf's Sacred Journey has spread across the country in a very unconventional manner.  After reading this book, people feel so inspired that thousands have purchased this book off the web site in packs of 10 or more, passing them along in their sphere of influence. They are on target for this book reaching at least 1 million people! It started from day one as readers inspired by the powerful example of Johnny have used their influence to get this book in the hands of those who need encouragement. While performances have been enhanced in business, life, and golf, the deeper impact of the book has been in the hearts of the readers. Doors that have been locked tight for years are being opened. Buried lies are being released. Thousands are embarking on a new and sacred journey of faith.

I invite you to join this movement through the use of your influence with your friends, family, co-workers, organization, golf outing, or in some other creative manner. Please click here for information regarding discounted multipacks of the book.

The Church of Golf

'Golf for God' is a new section added to our blog in 2012, and to get things started, here's a collection of quotes that incorporate both golf and God...

"The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course." - Billy Graham

"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, and some on the golf course." - Adlai Stevenson

"If you're caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightening, hold up a one iron. Not even God can hit a one-iron." - Lee Trevino

"If I'm on the golf course and lightening starts, I get inside fast. If God wants to play through, I let him." - Bob Hope

"I never pray to God to make a putt. I pray to God to help me react good if I miss a putt." - Chi Chi Rodriguez

"If you call on God to improve the results of a shot while it is still in motion, you are using an 'outside agency' and subject to appropriate penalties under the rules of golf." - Henry Longhurst

"A famous golfer was invited by the king of Saudi Arabia to play in a golf tournament. They played golf for several days, and enjoyed a good time. As the golfer was about to return home, the king stopped him and said, 'I want to give you a gift for coming all this way and making this time so special. What could I get you?'

'I collect golf clubs,' the golfer said. 'Why don't you give me a golf club?'

He boarded the plane, and on his flight back home, he couldn't help wondering what kind of golf club the king might give him. He imagined that it might be a solid gold putter with his name engraved on it. Or maybe it would be a sand wedge studded with diamonds and jewels. When the golfer got home, he watched the mail every day, to see if his golf club had come yet. Finally, several weeks later, he received a certified letter from the king of Saudi Arabia. The U.S. professional thought that rather strange. Where's my golf club? he wondered. He opened the envelope, and to his surprise, inside he discovered a deed to a five-hundred-acre golf course in America.

Sometimes kings think differently than you and I think. And friend, we serve the King of kings. We serve the Most High God, and His dream for your life is so much bigger and better than you can even imagine." - Joel Osteen