Spectators held their breath as Curtis Dvorak got ready to tee off at the famed Island Green 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
That’s because as Dvorak gripped his driver in his hands, eyeing the hole across the pristine water, he was on his knees. And if he landed the ball on the island, all five charities in attendance that sunny morning, Feb. 11, would receive $1,000 from THE PLAYERS.
Charity representatives had earlier been delighted to learn that no matter who won THE PLAYERS Champion Charity Shootout that day, all would receive at least $1,000 to be sure no one went home empty-handed.
So, they watched in anticipation to see if they might get another $1,000.
Dvorak missed his first shot.
But he delivered on this second, hitting it less than 4 feet from the hole.
Everyone applauded.
“We’re happy to go home with$2,000,” said Jeff Adams, one of the representatives from the Jacksonville Area Golf Association. Adams said JAGA won the $10,000 top prize last year, “so we were defending champions. We’re happy to go home with $2,000 for our scholarship trust.”
In addition to JAGA, the other charities invited to participate in the annual charity shootout included Feeding Northeast Florida, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, The First Tee of North Florida and Walk Off Charities.
In keeping with tradition, local media personalities and celebrities were paired with each local nonprofit in Round 1. Each local celebrity was given two consecutive shots to the Island Green, and the closest of the two was recorded.
Brent Martineau of Action News Jax came closest to the pin in Round 1, at 7 feet, 3 inches, winning $10,000 for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which funds lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, disaster relief and support for members of the military.
During Round 2, former Jacksonville Jaguar Josh Scobee came closest to the pin, at 9 feet, 6 inches, and won the second prize of $5,000 for Walk Off Charities, which provides baseball opportunities to all young people on the First Coast who are interested in playing the sport and need financial assistance with equipment and registration costs.
After Dvorak of First Coast news delivered his winning shot for all the charities there, everyone posed for pictures with their giant checks.
