Florida has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and so too have the state’s golf courses. Golfers can still tee it up in some parts of the state, but three counties in South Florida have shut down all of their courses to play. While the courses may be closed, it does not mean that they aren’t having an impact on the fight to staunch the virus’ spread.
In fact, courses across the region are helping local hospitals in a big way. According to a report from the Palm Beach Post, the entirety of which you can read here, dozens of clubs have banded together to “adopt” hospitals on the front lines of the pandemic.
The effort is spearheaded by the South Florida PGA. Here’s how it works. The SFPGA staff contacts hospitals and asked them what kind of assistance they need most. They then funnel the money donated by private clubs to the hospitals so they can buy food and financial assistance to healthcare workers.
The idea originated when Paul Clivio, director of Golf at St Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, heard about a similar program in New Jersey. He then brought the idea to the SFPGA, hoping to do the same in Florida.
According to the report, St. Andrews CC donated $4,000 to support Bocan Raton Regional Hospital which helped “feed 400 workers.”
“The response from St. Andrews and the community has been so overwhelming we are asking people to coordinate donated food through the hospital. We don’t want a bunch of people showing up with food on the same day,” Mark Larkin, president of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, told the Palm Beach Post.
St Andrews is just one of many golf clubs getting in on the program. Others include Seminole, which is supporting St. Mary’s Medical, as well as Loblolly and Lost Tree who are aiding Jupiter Medical.
You can see the full list of clubs and the hospitals they are helping at palmbeachpost.com.
To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.