The name Payne Stewart will forever be etched in our minds and memories not only as an elite golfer who won 11 PGA TOUR tournaments, including three major championships, but also as the dapper dresser in signature knickers and a flat cap who dramatically holed a final putt to defeat a young Phil Mickelson at the 1999 U.S. Open. This popular and inspiring champion with one of the game’s most fluid swings died tragically at the age of 42 in a plane accident.
A key aspect of Stewart’s legacy, as directed by his wife Tracey, is to help lower-income and inner-city kids across the country learn the game of golf. To achieve that goal, the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation was created to design groundbreaking youth programs that would have a broader reach than conventional programs.
The resulting Payne Stewart Golf Experience (Camps & Clinics) is a true introductory golf program designed to compete with little kickers soccer, t-ball and other youth sport development programs. Targeting kids ages 4-9, the games-based play programming and the use of modified golf learning equipment will make it easier for kids to hit the ball and experience early success at the camps and clinics. By using gymnasiums, parking lots, athletic fields and similar spaces, Payne Stewart Golf Experiences (Camps & Clinics) advance Payne’s vision by creating new golf spaces that give more families with kids the ability to learn and play golf, especially to kids in need and inner-city families.
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation supports the expansion of these golf learning experiences for kids in lower-income and inner-city locations. Donations to the Foundation fund modified golf learning equipment, “kids in need” scholarships, and entire inner-city programs.
“Our goal with the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation is to support this introductory golf program by raising funds to help expand the number of camp locations, provide adequate equipment, give families in need an opportunity to participate, and assist with other donation opportunities,” says Dan Anderson, COO/CMO and co-developer of the Foundation. “We have flipped the traditional golf paradigm on its head by helping bring golf to kids away from the golf course. We partner with churches, YMCA’s and other missionally aligned organizations to create unique spaces to play and learn golf closer to home.”
The overriding mission of the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation is to develop healthy kids for life through the fun of golf. The faith-based life skills curriculum coupled with the game-based golf skill development program, gives kids a fun introductory experience that creates well-rounded, life-long citizens in sport and life. Our hope is that more kids from all backgrounds will have the opportunity to enter into the next phase of traditional youth golf programs including PGA Junior Golf Camps.
In 2021, there will be more than 50 Payne Stewart Golf Camps & Clinics running in the U.S.
“Payne would be so proud to know that his name lives on by helping young golfers learn the game he so loved, said Tracey Stewart. “The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation and the fun golf experiences at camps and clinics will bring the game of golf to kids of every background and socio-economic class with the core fundamentals of Faith, Family and Fun.”
Over 62% of families cannot afford youth sports, let alone golf! Join us in our efforts to help kids in need learn the game of a lifetime!
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Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation Announces National Golf Event for All Golfers in September
Fun Event to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America golf programs
The Inaugural Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation National Fun Golf Event, powered by 18BIRDIES technology, will take place during the entire month of September at courses and clubs across the country. This concept was created to raise funds for the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation and to support the golf programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Golfers everywhere are encouraged to form a foursome and head out to their favorite course to play a regular 18 hole round any day during the month of September. Before playing, golfers need to register at www.paynestewart.org and then provide the tournament code to gain access into the 18BIRDIES app. All tournament registrants will get free access to the premium version of 18BIRDIES for 30 days. Everyone must use the 18BIRDIES app to participate in this special month-long event.
A one-time fee of $40 per player is required to enter the Fun Golf Event and every registered player gets a high value goodie bag and Payne Stewart commemorative ball marker. All money raised during the month long initiative goes directly to the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation which spearheads golf camps and clinics for underserved and minority communities.
“The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation National Golf Fun Event welcomes golfers from around the country to participate and compete for a great cause,” said Kelly McCammon, CEO and Founder of the Foundation. “The event is designed to get family and friends together to enjoy a round of golf and benefit kids in need. We hope to make this an annual fundraiser.”
Prizes will be awarded to 25 individual weekly winners which includes two weekly team winners. Prizes will go to the best dressed players who capture the style of the late Payne Stewart. Golfers are encouraged to have fun and submit photos for random prize drawings. So dust off the knickers and the flat caps and channel the spirit of the dapper dresser.
About the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation, established in 2020, is the fundraising entity behind the Payne Stewart Golf Camps & Clinics. These unique programs provide a complete golf learning experience for kids ages 4-9 years old. Using unconventional spaces to bring golf to the masses, the camps and clinics make any gymnasium or soccer field a golf learning center to teach children the fundamentals of both golf and life. For more information about the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation please visit www.paynestewart.org.
For more information about the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation please visit www.paynestewart.org.
