J. Erik Jonsson Community School
EDS Byron Nelson Championship
By: Julie Petrovic

On Wednesday of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, PTWA members, along with two local junior golfers, visited the J. Erik Jonsson Community School. This school is funded entirely by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. It's a wonderful school that supports children ages kindergarten through fifth grade and includes mentoring programs, family programs and helps put children and their families in touch with any other local support groups and programs they may benefit from.

Upon our arrival, we were introduced to a group of fifth graders in the "family" room of the school. From there, our work took us to the kindergarten class, where we helped the children finish hats that they will be wearing on an upcoming field trip. The children were excited to show off their artistic endeavors and sang a "goodbye" song for us when we left. Our journey then took us to the gym, where we spent time with the second graders who were learning about golf and how to putt putt, hit balls, chip and keep score from the junior golfers. One little girl, proud of her accomplishments, became a "teacher" showing all that she had learned. "High fives" were exchanged when she hit her ball into the target on the other side of the room.

Each time we visit the wonderful students and faculty at the J. Erik Jonsson Community School, we are reminded of how the important funds we raise actually impact those in tournament communities. Our thanks to the tournament, the faculty and especially to the children, for a wonderful day.

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Habitat for Humanity
Verizon Heritage - Hilton Head
By: Kate Rose

During the Verizon Heritage Classic tournament, members of the PGA TOUR Wives Association got together once again to put in some (wo)man hours to help build a house alongside Habitat for Humanity in the Ridgeland area of South Carolina. Habitat staff was delighted to welcome back the our members as last year they had had their preconceived ideas about “TOUR wives” and whether they could work hard, proved wrong!

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness and to break the cycle of poverty fostered by inadequate housing. Through volunteer labor and tax deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner families. Houses are sold at NO PROFIT and financed with affordable NO INTEREST loans. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving building fund, which is used to build more houses. In addition to paying closing costs and monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family invests hundreds of their own labor - “sweat equity” - into the building of their house and the houses of others. Habitat is not a giveaway program; as they say, they give a hand up, not a hand out.”

The house PTWA worked on this year was for Dean Hornbeak, who was there, completing some of his own “sweat equity” hours, alongside us. Dean made the mistake of mentioning that we could pick the color he would eventually paint his house… that’ll be one nice TOUR Wives Pink house coming your way, Dean!! His house is an 1100 square foot three bedroom house which he will share with his two sons, and will be ready in time for Father’s Day in June! His youngest is excitedly looking forward to coming and watching some pro golfers in action this weekend, and we look forward to seeing him and his father there.

Our work today mainly consisted of measuring up, cutting and nailing up the siding on the sides of the house. We really got into a groove of working, and all too soon it was time to put down tools and say goodbye to our South Carolina Habitat friends until next year. Many thanks to all members who came out and worked hard, as always, in giving back to the community! “Inside the PGA TOUR” cameras were there, covering our work in progress, so keep an eye out for the pink shirts on the Golf Channel, coming the week of the British Open!

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Visit with St. Michaels Special School
Zurich Classic
By: Julie Petrovic

Wednesday of the Zurich Classic New Orleans has traditionally been a fun day for the wives because Emeril Lagasse does a wonderful cooking demonstration every year.  This year, the PGA TOUR Wives Association wanted to give a little something back.  Emeril, the Fore Kids Foundation and Zurich all support a wonderful school called St. Michaels Special School.  The PTWA invited some of the kids from that school to come early to the cooking demonstration to do some arts and crafts with our members.  Ten fabulous kids and two teachers came and we spent an entertaining hour with them making picture frames and decorating photos of local sites such as Jackson Square and a local church that one student insisted was Cinderella's castle.  After seeing the photo, I had to agree. It looks just like that magical castle!  We finished off our time with a group photo of the kids proudly showing off their works of art.  Emeril joined me on stage to present a check for $1000 from the PTWA to St. Michaels so they can continue to do their important work with these wonderful children. 

For our members, it’s always a joy to be involved and work with the charities that benefit from the tournament and from our own work. What a wonderful day for everyone with good food, great company and an opportunity to make a small difference in a child's life.

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Visit to Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Arnold Palmer Invitational
By Kate Rose

On Wednesday of Bay Hill, the PGA TOUR Wives were invited to visit the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. For those who don't live in Florida, seeing this facility could almost be enough to make them to want to move to Florida when they have their next child! It really is something else - more like a hotel than a hospital, and their main problem is getting their patients to leave! With each room having wireless internet, a flat screen and DVD player, room service menu to cut down on food wastage, high thread count towels and bed linen, and even a concierge service, it really is like a hotel! And how looks can be deceiving - the Winnie Palmer is home to one of the largest and most successful Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the nation, where more than 26,000 high-risk newborns have been successfully treated since the unit opened more than 30 years ago.

With a tour of the facilities that included visiting a one pound baby, and preemie twins now cuddling each other, it was an inspirational day to see what had been achieved through the hard work and vision of one PGA TOUR player and his dedicated wife. Kudos to Amy Palmer Saunders for continuing the incredible Palmer work and many thanks for her hospitality which included a delicious lunch, special goody bags, and a presentation of a plaque commemorating the PGA TOUR Wives Association’s support for these facilities. We finished up the day putting together Easter baskets for patients, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Winnie Palmer and Arnold Palmer Hospitals in the years to come. For more information about this incredible facility, visit www.arnoldpalmerhospital.org and www.orlandoregional.org/winniepalmerhospital/index.aspx.