The Players Championship past tournament chairmen – the Red Coats – toured the new K9s For Warriors facility today as part of Giving Back Month.
During the event, The Players, joined by Web.com Tour and PGA Tour player Jeff Klauk, surprised the warriors in the program with gifts, including new laptop computers. K9s for Warriors is a beneficiary of the Tour’s Birdies for the Brave initiatives.
On, November 11 The Players Championship made a surprise $10,000 donation to K9’s For Warriors during the First Coast News K9s For Warriors telethon.
K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to warriors suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11.Their goal is to empower warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.
“K9s For Warriors is an amazing organization in our community, actively working to enrich the lives of warriors suffering from injuries, both mental and physical, caused by their patriotic service in the United States military,” said Brian Franco, 2015 Tournament Chairman. “The $10,000 donation given last week will enable the staff the opportunity to continue helping our service men and women.”
“Giving back to local charities is one of the best parts about being in the PGA Tour family,” said Jeff Klauk, PGA Tour and Web.com Tour player.
“These men and women have been through so much for our county and having the chance to make a difference in their lives, and the lives of their service canines, is very rewarding.”
Since 2012, K9s For Warriors has named a service canine after that year’s PLAYERS champion. The Players canine lineage consists of “Kuch” named after 2012 champion Matt Kucher, “Tiger” named after 2001 and 2013 champion Tiger Woods and “Kaymer” named after 2014 champion Martin Kaymer.
Part of the $10,000 donation will go towards training a service canine to be named after the 2015 tournament champion Rickie Fowler.
The chosen canine will be showcased during the 2016 PLAYERS Championship and will meet its namesake during a special presentation at the event.
