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HUDSON: The weather was miserable, but the commitment and spirit were rock solid.
An on-again, off-again rain and temperatures that held steady in the low 60s didn’t stop approximately 60 members of the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association – representing 24 facilities – from participating in the 7th annual Birdies & Charity event at the Country Club of Hudson.
Section participants solicited their respective club members for pledges and donations in various dollar amounts for every birdie they made over a proposed 72 holes.
All proceeds are donated to the NOPGA Foundation.
“The weather was brutal, but it was well worth it,” said Kevin Sullivan, Director of Player Development at Quail Hollow Country Club, who played in this event for the sixth time in seven years and was the only senior player able to play all 72 holes.
“It was my mission to play all 72,” he said. “I was going to finish unless the course was completely underwater.”
Sullivan’s group included Collin McEndree, Director of Golf at Walden, and assistants Alec Adcock and Rainey Chase.
“I bet it rained on 62 of the 72 holes, but we had a great time,” Sullivan said. “We had a great group.”
Early returns project the event will raise approximately $100,000, increasing the 7-year total to more than $800,000.
“Today was another great reminder of what our golf community can accomplish when we come together for a purpose bigger than the game,” said NOPGA Executive Director David Griffith. “Birdies & Charity continues to grow because of the incredible support from our PGA Professionals, our partners and everyone who believes in giving back. The money raised will make a real difference in the lives of young people and veterans throughout Northern Ohio. We couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who helped make it a special event.”
For the sixth consecutive year, a team from Kirtland Country Club – Head Professional Mark Bixler and Assistant Weston Lucas and Director of Player Development Mike Pickett – raised the most money, totaling approximately $30,000.
Understandably, not everyone made the full 72 holes given the conditions. The golf course held up remarkably well, and several of the professionals paid kudos to superintendent Craig Kachline.
Bixler’s team made it through all 72 holes – they were the last ones off the course – and made 59 birdies.
Glenmoor Country Club Assistant Professional Kyle Buzaki led all players with 28 birdies, and Walden’s Adcock was second with 26.
Funds raised help support the Foundation’s charitable initiatives, including:
- PGA HOPE – Provides free golf instruction and continued playing opportunities for Veterans and Active-Duty Military. Our PGA HOPE programming serves more than 320 Veterans annually.
- Clubs Fore Kids – Provides golf clubs and other resources to juniors and school golf programs in need. Approximately 140 sets of clubs were distributed in 2025. Foundation members expect to exceed that total in 2026.
- College Scholarships – More than $120,000 in scholarships has been awarded to Northern Ohio students in recent years.
- Junior Tour Financial Assistance – Helps families cover Junior Tour memberships and tournament entry fees so financial circumstances do not prevent children from participating.
- Community Grants – Provides support to other charitable organizations throughout Northern Ohio that align with the Foundation’s mission.
The NOPGA Foundation expressed sincere gratitude to Hudson members, chief operating officer and general manager Clint Miller, Director of Golf Jeff Camp Sr., and Head Professional Jeff Camp Jr.
Final financial figures will not be released until later this fall, as the Toledo Chapter of the NOPGA and member clubs Mayfield-Sand Ridge, Westfield Country Club, and The Country Club will be staging their own events.
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Top 5 Fundraising Clubs:
Kirtland Country Club – $30,178
Barrington Golf Club – $8,602
Portage Country Club – $7,950
Firestone Country Club – $7,531
Glenmoor Country Club – $5,810
