Steve Stricker received a few bizarre tweets on Thursday morning from a few fans in North Carolina, wondering why he no-showed to a charity event in the Winston-Salem area the night prior and that morning.
Stricker was confused because, according to him and his representation, he had not committed to be anywhere near the Tarheel State for the event.
Several golfers attending an event to benefit the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission were promised a clinic with Stricker, an 18-hole round and a breakfast with particular donors to the event. When Stricker did not appear as promised by a flier promoting the event, he fielded now-deleted tweets from confused attendees.
I’m good Kevin, thanks for your concern! But, what club was I supposed to be at? I don’t have that short game clinic on my schedule. 🤔 https://t.co/VIh2No5na5
— Steve Stricker (@stevestricker) May 2, 2019
Wow! Sorry to say this but it sounds like some sort of scam. I was never contacted to do any event in NC. https://t.co/0tQbqhaxQE
— Steve Stricker (@stevestricker) May 2, 2019
As Golf Magazine reported, Sean Branagan, the head pro of Maple Chase Golf and Country Club, where the event is being hosted, tweeted a photo of a flyer promoting Stricker's involvement. That tweet has since been deleted, but the flier image was retrieved before it disappeared from Twitter. A registration page for the event promoting Stricker's involvement has also been deleted, but the organization has kept up a tweet touting Stricker's appearance.
Get your friends or co-workers together and play in our 13th annual WS Rescue Mission Golf tournament, hosted by USA Ryder Cup Captain for 2020, Steve Stricker! Be apart of something bigger and become a sponsor today! Contact Rob Hillmer at 336-723-1848 ext. 123 for more info pic.twitter.com/pvp6YSAPxq
— WS Rescue Mission (@wsrescuemission) March 27, 2019
For a $7,500 gift, donors were promised they would also receive autographed Ryder Cup memorabilia and have a photo taken with Stricker in addition to the golf at the clinic. He was also promoted to appear at a reception the night prior. When Stricker was not there, Stricker's agent, Mario Tiziani, was contacted by the WSRM team concerned.
Someone named Rob Hillmer, listed on the flier as the contact person to register, did not respond to Golf.com's request for comment. Hillmer, per Branagan, claimed Stricker was a cousin, which Stricker denied.
Sorry Sean but I don’t know Robert Hillmer and never had any contact with him. I’m confused too! https://t.co/qQRZ8R36Ix
— Steve Stricker (@stevestricker) May 2, 2019
The organization has yet to issue a public statement.
