Hurricane Harvey has devastated large portions of Texas, including unprecedented rainfall and flooding in and around Houston, and Louisiana. Getting back to normal in the region will take months or, in many cases, years. Fortunately, the outpouring of financial support and volunteer hours from people all over the country will go a long way in helping people get back on their feet and move forward.
Several pro golfers who call Texas their home have stepped up this week, committing to donate to help Harvey victims based on how they perform.
Stacy Lewis, who calls the Houston area home with her husband Gerrod Chadwell, has announced she will donate the entirety of what she earns this week at the LPGA's Cambia Portland Classic to help Harvey relief charities. That could mean up to $195,000, which is the first-place check this week.
Chadwell, who is the women's golf coach at the University of Houston, has also asked for help in providing basic supplies for his players, who are now without permanent housing for some time.
— Gerrod Chadwell (@ShortGameG) August 30, 2017
Chris Stroud, who grew up in the Houston area, has committed $10,000 regardless of how he plays in the Dell Technologies Championship. He'll also donate 10 percent of what he wins in the second leg of the playoffs. He made that commitment as his home has become a shelter of sorts for 20 people in his community that were impacted by the storm.
Sergio Garcia has made Texas his adopted home, along with his wife and native Texan, Angela Akins. Garcia announced earlier in the week that he'll donate $2,000 for every birdie and $5,000 for every eagle he makes in the Dell Technologies Championship toward Harvey relief.
My wife @TheAngelaAkins & I are donating $2k for every birdie & $5k for every eagle I make during the #FedExCup to help #Texas. #TexasFlood
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) August 29, 2017
Justin Thomas has made a similar pledge as Garcia, extending it through the remainder of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
SO awesome to see. For the rest of the playoffs, I will give 1k per birdie and 2k per eagle to #Harvey. I challenge y'all 2 join me! https://t.co/wyKdnfZXbG
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) August 31, 2017
Jon Rahm is in on the same plan as the PGA champion.
I'm on board! I will be donating $1k for birdies and $2k for eagles I make thru the FedEx Cup playoffs to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) August 31, 2017
Patrick Reed, native Texan, has teamed with his sponsors and the European Tour to donate $4,000 per birdie and $8,000 per eagle.
Phil and Amy Mickelson have also committed to donate $100,000 to help recovery efforts.
The PGA Tour and Dell Technologies, which is based in Texas, have also pledged $250,000 in support.
Shannon Fish is Houston-based and plays on the Symetra Tour, the LPGA's developmental circuit. While that tour isn't competing for nearly the same size purses as the PGA Tour and LPGA, Fish has committed to donations this week that could easily outweigh her paycheck for the week. Fish will donate $100 for every birdie and $500 for every eagle she makes this week at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge in South Dakota to Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans organized as first responders to disasters.
Emma Talley, also playing in the event, has agreed to match Fish's pledge.
My heart is with Houston! I will match my friend, Shannon Fish, on the @ROAD2LPGA.This week I will give $100 per birdie and $500 for eagles! https://t.co/YEiH4gUtpW
— Emma Talley (@talley_emma) August 30, 2017
Even better, the Symetra Tour and the tournament committee will match Fish’s donation.
The tournament's title sponsor also is offering a matching challenge. The GreatLIFE Cares Foundation is challenging fans to sign up to back a player for the week, to pledge to donate a dollar amount of the fan’s choice for every par, birdie or eagle their player makes in the Symetra Tour event. GreatLIFE Cares will match every pledge up to $50,000. One-time donations also will be matched.
Undoubtedly, several other PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players have made private donations and commitments, either in the form of a straight donation or based on how they'll play this week and coming weeks.
