Bubba Watson was in West Virginia when massive flooding ravaged the southeastern portion of the state, killing 24, displacing thousands and causing millions in damage.
Watson was at The Greenbrier resort as torrential rains fell, flooding the property's golf courses and the surrounding town of White Sulphur Springs. He documented the damage as best he could from his home at the resort's Sporting Club. And after seeing it all firsthand, Watson wants to help.
The two-time Masters winner announced Wednesday that he's pledging $250,000 to support local organizations, such as Neighbors Loving Neighbors, and local churches that will be providing the community with relief and important services amid the recovery effort.
"These are people that I see every day at the hotel, at the golf courses working and now they have nothing," Watson said at the site of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. "It's very devastating, but it grows a community together."
The PGA Tour will also make a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross, aimed at helping the victims.
Watson left his family in West Virginia on Saturday night to travel to Ohio for the tournament. He's going to return afterward to offer some sleeves-rolled-up assistance.
"My wife is still down there. After Sunday, I'll get back down there and do my part, get my hands dirty and try to help out in any way I can," said Watson, who would have otherwise spent next week competing in the now-canceled The Greenbrier Classic at the resort's The Old White TPC course.
In the wake of the flooding, The Greenbrier has turned into a bit of a nerve center for the community, delivering food for those in need and offering rooms at the resort to those who were displaced by the damage.
"Everything happened so fast," Watson said. "It was just overwhelming, the stories and stuff."
