Sixth Annual Event Builds on Momentum and Expands Its Impact Across Southern Ohio
On May 11, before the summer fully settles in, a group of Southern Ohio PGA of America Golf Professionals with gather at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club with a simple objective:
Make birdies. A lot of them.
The Southern Ohio PGA (SOPGA) and PGA REACH Southern Ohio are proud to announce the return of our flagship fundraising event, the 2026 Play Yellow Birdie Bash (PYBB) on May 11, 2026 at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio. Since its inception in 2021, Birdie Bash has grown in both impact and support of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in our state: Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
In just a few years, the PYBB has grown into something much bigger than a single day of golf. In 2025, the event surpassed $1 million in total charitable giving, supporting children and families across the Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton communities. That milestone matters. Not just for what it represents, but for what comes next.
See the 2026 teams and make a pledge! >
While the PYBB serves as the Foundation’s marquee fundraising event, its impact now extends well beyond a single day. In 2025, PGA REACH Southern Ohio expanded its outreach through Smiling Fore Life, a year-round initiative that brings SOPGA Professionals into the children’s hospitals to bring golf and fun to kids facing challenging medical circumstances.
Those afternoons and evenings have been extraordinary, where a smile and a moment of normalcy turns into empowerment and connection. Putts and swings mean a little more when the child standing over the ball happens to be receiving chemotherapy or other forms of treatment at the same time.
Proceeds from the PYBB directly support these efforts, funding critical resources for children’s hospitals while also advancing broader Foundation programming. These initiatives include youth development programs, veteran support through PGA HOPE as well as efforts to make the game more accessible and inclusive across Southern Ohio.
A key part of that growth has been the Foundation’s collaboration with the HNS Sports Group and the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. Through this partnership, the PYBB has gained increased visibility and alignment with one of golf’s premier events, helping elevate both awareness and support. As the event continues to grow, these relationships remain central to its long-term success.
The event format remains both unique and demanding. Teams of SOPGA Professionals play 72 holes over the course of one day, raising funds through birdie pledges that turn performance on the course into meaningful impact off of it.
As the PYBB returns in 2026, the momentum is clear. What started as an idea has become a platform that continues to grow and reach more families, while creating lasting impact across our region.
This May, we tee it up again.
We’re playing for everything that comes next.
See the 2026 teams and make a pledge! >
About the Southern Ohio PGA
Founded in 1946, the Southern Ohio Section of the PGA is home to nearly 475 golf professionals. The section’s mission is to promote golf, maintain professional standards and improve the well-being of its members. Learn more at www.thesouthernohiopga.com
About PGA REACH Southern Ohio
A nonprofit established in 2010, the PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation supports community initiatives and the growth of golf through Youth, Military and Diversity & Inclusion programs. Its offerings include the SOPGA Junior Tour, PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE, scholarships and more.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Since its founding, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised over $7 billion for 170 hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. The funds stay local, supporting urgent needs like research, patient care, training for medical professionals, and providing family support. More details are available at www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkHospitals.org
About Play Yellow
Founded by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus in collaboration with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the PGA TOUR, Play Yellow unites the golf world through charitable initiatives to support the 10 million children treated at children’s hospitals each year. To learn more, visit playyellow.cmn.org
