Charity Spotlight: Episcopal Children's Services 

Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS) had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 15, to christen a new playground at its Northside Early Head Start Center.  The new playground was funded by a $25,000 grant from THE PLAYERS and will allow ECS’s youngest children the ability to enjoy outside play while interacting with each other safely.

“Supporting youth is one of our key charitable pillars, and we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of the youth in our community,” said Tyler Oldenburg,  Volunteer Vice Chairman for THE PLAYERS. “When we heard about the opportunity for improved learning and outdoor play, we knew we had to do something about it.”

For more than 50 years, Episcopal Children's Services has been helping more than 25,000 families and children by offering School Readiness, Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Located in 14 different counties in Northeast and Central Florida, ECS uses a “whole child” approach to ensure that all of the needs of each child ECS serves are met. 

To watch a TV segment about the new playground, click HERE or on the image below. 

To learn more about ECS, visit: https://www.ecs4kids.org/ 

Beyond the Ropes 

THE PLAYERS’ impact extends far beyond the rope lines and well past the moment when THE PLAYERS champion sinks the winning putt. Learn more about our year-round commitment to being good stewards in our northeast Florida community.

Dreams Come True's Horizon Board learns from panel of PLAYERS experts  
During the 1984 PLAYERS Championship, two-time PLAYERS Champion Fred Couples played in the pro-am with a 17-year-old boy named George Lee, who was battling cystic fibrosis. Following an exciting round on the world famous Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, Couples gave Lee his driver. This meant the world to Lee and his family. A year later, Lee lost his battle with cystic fibrosis and was buried with his prized driver at his side.

The local business leaders who helped arrange for Lee to play with Couples were so moved by the "power of a dream fulfilled" that they launched Dreams Come True, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Thirty-eight years later, Dreams Come True is still fulfilling dreams...more than 4,300 to be exact.  

On July 21, Dreams Come True's Horizon Board (a group of First Coast professionals focused on giving back to the community through Dreams Come True's mission) paid a visit to the PGA TOUR's Global Home to learn from a panel of PLAYERS team members about the inner workings of the PGA TOUR's flagship event, further strengthening the deep relationship between THE PLAYERS and Dreams Come True. The panel discussion, moderated by Michael Baliker from the PGA TOUR Communications department, featured Robert Conrad, Senior Director of Sales, Emily Womack, Tournament Services Manager, Emily Bellock, Director of Community Outreach and Andre da Silva, Tournament Director. 

Volunteer Spotlights: Anna and Rob Prest 

This month, let's get to know a special couple who is an integral part of "Golf's Greatest Volunteers." Anna and Rob Prest have been volunteering at THE PLAYERS for 15 years and will return in 2023 to support the 16th Hole hospitality committee. 
 

Let's learn more about Anna and Rob in this Q&A:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Rob: I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Florida College of Architecture in 1966. After graduation, I joined a large architectural firm in Memphis. I retired in 2007 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach with my wife, Anna, and our pups, Pembroke Welch corgis. My interests and hobbies are primarily volunteer work. I’ve been involved with the following organizations since retiring: THE PLAYERS; Volunteer Patient Escort at Mayo Clinic; meal prep/service at Mission House in Jacksonville Beach; Meals on Wheels delivery; Ponte Vedra Beach Turtle Patrol; driver for St. Gerard’s in St. Augustine; Sacristan at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church; member of the letter-writing team for Soldiers' Angels. Most of my free time is spent corralling our 2-year-old corgi, Winnie the Pooh, which is no easy task!

Anna: I was born and raised in Manila, Arkansas, and then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to attend nursing school. My nursing career has spanned 48 years (and still counting). When we moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, I became the Clinical Educator for Surgical Services at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I retired (again) in January 2020, but felt there was a great need for nurses during the pandemic, so I returned to Mayo Clinic in July 2020 to work in the COVID vaccine clinic where I’m currently employed part-time. Apparently, I haven’t quite mastered the concept of retirement just yet!😊 My hobbies include volunteering at THE PLAYERS and Sacristan at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, gardening, competing in numerous 5K and half-marathon races and cooking.

How did the two of you meet? 

Rob and I were introduced via a blind date set up by his brother-in-law. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about a blind date, but then our first “official date” was to a New Orleans Saints’ football game. I was smitten, and we’ve been married now for 36 years.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer at THE PLAYERS? 

Rob and I loved watching THE PLAYERS on TV when we lived in Memphis, so we thought this would be a great way to become active in our local community, meet new people and be involved with a world-class golf event all at the same time. We value the fact that THE PLAYERS supports numerous local Northeast Florida charities. It was the right decision for us to join the ranks of the BEST volunteers on TOUR! THE PLAYERS has become a vital part of our lives now, and we cannot imagine a year without volunteering at THE PLAYERS!

How long have you been a volunteer at THE PLAYERS?

We have both been volunteering at THE PLAYERS for 15 years now. Rob began marshaling on the 16th hole in 2008, so I decided to join a hospitality venue so we’d be in close proximity on the course. I registered for 16th hospitality not really knowing exactly what the duties would be, but I figured someone would guide me along the way, and Della/Larry Faulkner (Chairs for 16th hospitality at the time) did just that. They were ideal role models! After our first year of volunteering we were captivated by the positive energy, fellowship and that “WOW” feeling we get each year as we walk onto the course….it’s an amazing experience!

What will your volunteer position be for the 2023 championship? What will the responsibilities entail?

For 2023, Rob will continue to be a volunteer at 16th hospitality throughout tournament week. He volunteers for whatever role the committee needs. In 2020, he fulfilled the responsibilities of the Fan Safety Ambassador. Rob was quite familiar with the safety requirements of this role due to the necessary safeguards of his volunteer work at Mayo Clinic. Rob has always been very flexible and willing to step into whatever position 16th hospitality and our clients’ need.

My plan for 2023 is to continue as Chairman of the 16th hospitality committee. I’ve found coordination/input from my three Assistant Chairs (Judy Frick, Mike Jay, Roy Whann) fosters effective planning, execution and pivoting (due to weather changes) to meet the needs of our volunteers and guests alike. We’re very fortunate our committee has been able to recruit/retain a core group of returning volunteers each year. Our volunteers (about 25) have become a close knit family and tournament week is essentially family reunion…we reconnect, share stories and laugh. 😊

What is your favorite memory as a PLAYERS volunteer? 

Rob’s favorite memory (every year) is a “Breakfast Bowl” from Darlene’s Diner!!!

One of my most memorable occasions at THE PLAYERS was the rain delay on Thursday of the 2022 championship. Three volunteers and I waited in my car (for over 3 hours) waiting for play to resume…luckily, we stayed hydrated with water from the trunk of my car and dined on peanut-butter crackers and M&Ms…we made the best of the situation and laugh about it now.😊
 

Why should someone volunteer at THE PLAYERS if they have never done it before?

Rob feels that THE PLAYERS offers an opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life, reminisce with old friends and enjoy world-class golf all at the same time.

The people/friendships I’ve met/made at THE PLAYERS are the primary reason I return each year. Giving back to the community and being on a golf course as beautiful as TPC Sawgrass is pretty awesome too! And for these reasons, I encourage everyone to register for the 2023 tournament to become a volunteer, the heart and soul of THE PLAYERS!

News to Know 


In remembrance: Bob Olson, 1987 Chairman of THE PLAYERS 
We recently lost a member of the honorary company of past chairmen, Mr. Bob Olson. Bob was the chairman of the 1987 Championship, won by Sandy Lyle. He lived a beautiful life of service, to his family, his country, this community and our championship. Thank you, Bob, for your tireless commitment and passion. You will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family and loved ones. Here are several photos of Bob from the book "The Honorable Company of Past Chairmen":

Red Coats Grants - submit your applications by August 5! 
As a way to continue our ongoing commitment to Northeast Florida, the Red Coats, a committee of past volunteer chairpersons, oversee a grant program to support local charities. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 5, at 11:59 p.m. Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Q&A with THE PLAYERS Director of Community Outreach, Emily Bellock 
Thank you to the Ponte Vedra Recorder for spotlighting our new Director of Community Outreach, Emily Bellock, as part of its "One of Us" series. Click HERE to read the full Q&A. 

Hospitality packages now on sale 
Hospitality packages are now on sale for the 2023 championship, March 7-12. Click HERE to learn more and to get in touch with a member of the sales team. 

A "Thank You" Message from Emily Tillo 

To all subscribers of “The HOLE Story” and supporters of THE PLAYERS,
 
I’m writing to let you know that after several years of serving as Community Outreach Manager for THE PLAYERS, I am taking the next step of my career and beginning a new role at the PGA TOUR as a Senior Manager of Tournament Business and Sponsor Relations for the Korn Ferry Tour. 

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work on THE PLAYERS and develop so many great relationships with all of you. As a Jacksonville native who has attended this championship since I was a toddler and volunteered as a standard bearer, it truly doesn’t get much better than being able to work on my hometown event!

Serving as the editor of this monthly newsletter was one of the most rewarding parts of my job, as it allowed me to really develop stronger relationships with all of you and spotlight the people and organizations who are doing such amazing work, day in and day out. I will still be based in Jacksonville in my new role, so I look forward to seeing you all around town! 

I especially want to thank all of the volunteers, volunteer leadership team and Red Coats who I had the opportunity to work with. You all are truly “Golf’s Greatest Volunteers!" I continue to be inspired and motivated by your passion, selflessness, energy and compassion.     

Best of luck to the entire PLAYERS team and all of our volunteers as you prepare for THE PLAYERS 2023. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish. Onto the next shot!