x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
How the largest owner of private golf clubs is fighting against Covid-19
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

How the largest owner of private golf clubs is fighting against Covid-19

By: Jackson Wald
July 30, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
blood drive

ClubCorp has donated over 2,000 pints of blood so far.

ClubCorp

Not only is Covid-19 a deadly and unpredictable virus, it is an isolating one. As it continues to rage throughout the U.S, we find ourselves more (physically) distant and detached from our community and loved ones. However, one organization in the golf community is taking matters into its own hands, and coming together to help those in need.

ClubCorp — the largest owner and operator “of private golf and country clubs, city and stadium clubs in North America” — has hosted 75 blood drives at over 50 of its clubs across the country. According to David Pillsbury, CEO of ClubCorp, members and employees have donated over 2,300 pints of blood to the American Red Cross — which will save 7,500 lives.

Tournaments
players hitting balls
How #playingthrough at home can help you donate to a good cause
By: Zephyr Melton

“When we came to our membership, we said, ‘Hey,  Covid-19 has created a major problem that no one has really thought much about, and that is … no one is going to give blood,” Pillsbury said. “And as we reopen the economy and people start driving again and there’s accidents and there’s elective surgeries and so forth. There’s going to be a massive need, with an amazing shortage, because blood has a shelf life … So predictably our members quickly embraced this as a very important local community activity that would make a difference in their communities.”

Pillsbury credits the immense generosity found in these clubs to the people who comprise them. As Pillsbury notes, it is important to recognize these clubs not solely as establishments, but “a nexus of citizens in a community — and communities are made up of moms and dad’s business people and business owners and employees and retail establishments, charitable establishments.”

When asked about the origins of the idea to donate blood, Pillsbury credits a somewhat unlikely source: his wife.

“[My wife and I] were sitting around in quarantine,” Pillsbury recalls. “And we were talking about, ‘what can we do to use this platform to make a difference? And she said, ‘How about if [ClubCorp] organizes a blood drive?’ And I said, ‘Brilliant idea!’”

Pillsbury envisions a future where ClubCorp members continue to embrace this trend of philanthropy, with the goal of becoming one of the American Red Cross’ top contributors. His hope is likely to become a reality, as there are already 15 more blood drives planned for ClubCorp partnered clubs.

Pillsbury also hopes to see other clubs and organizations follow suit, and use their platform for the social good.

“I would encourage other clubs to reach out to us and we’ll hook them up with the right people at the Red Cross. And they can join the cause. This is certainly not something that’s exclusive to ClubCorp, and we’d like to see all clubs participate, and see the industry become a major partner for the Red Cross,” Pillsbury said. “I think we could make a huge impact.”

Latest In News

42 minutes ago

Hovland-mania, Scheffler's son, a TikTok star playing at Oakmont | Rogers Report

1 hour ago

Rory McIlroy's post-Masters malaise? Scottie Scheffler can relate

1 hour ago

Scottie Scheffler’s viral fight with coach? It's called ‘getting in my grill’

2 hours ago

His homeland has 27 golf holes. Now he’s the U.S. Open’s low amateur

generic profile image

Golf.com Editor

Related Articles

News
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy had Covid days before Open Championship, McIlroy says

By: Nick Piastowski
Gear
golf club auction

This insane golf club collection will blow your mind — and it's coming to auction

By: Jonathan Wall
Gear
two golf bags

How to build an easy-to-hit beginner set of golf clubs

By: Ryan Barath
News
Cameron Champ walks golf course during 2021 Northern Trust at Liberty National

Positive Covid-19 test forces Cameron Champ to withdraw from Tournament of Champions

By: Kevin Cunningham
Gear
Paul Casey lifts golf bag during 2021 DP World Tour Championship

These are the most common clubs that tour players carry in their golf bags

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
News
Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm withdraws while leading Memorial due to Covid: Questions and answers

By: Nick Piastowski
Gear
garage scene

Where to store your clubs this winter (and one place they should never go)

By: Jonathan Wall
News
Greg Norman

Greg Norman details brutal Covid battle in lengthy Instagram post

By: Sean Zak
News
justin thomas in a protective mask

How the world’s best players united to make an unsettling PGA Tour season a successful one

By: Alan Shipnuck
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version