Tour's good deeds go beyond the game

The Cambridge English Dictionary describes golf as follows: A game played outside on grass in which each player tries to hit a small ball into a series of nine or 18 small holes, using a long, thin stick.

On the PGA Tour, the Royal & Ancient game is defined slightly differently.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has temporarily shut down all major sports and leagues, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has stepped up to be counted in mitigating an international crisis that has hurt the world's economy, sports not withstanding.

When Monahan announced the cancellation of the tour's flagship tournament, The Players Championship, followed by further cancellations and postponements of competitions until mid-May, he faced adversity and uncertainty head-on and rallied the sport by providing a clear sense of purpose as to what golf truly means.

"I'm a fighter. I wanted to fight for our players and our fans and for this tour to show how golf can unify and inspire," said Monahan.

It is apparent golf is not merely a sport or business to Monahan. He sees golf as a game that brings people together for worthy causes and is capable of inspiring good deeds as dictated by the tour's charitable heart. Yes, the PGA Tour entertains fans through its superstars who possess amazing skills, talent and personality, but giving back to communities has always been and will always be part of its DNA.

In halting tournaments, the well-being of players, fans and staff members were of great concern, but deep down Monahan probably holds charities, which are so dependent on the tour's benevolence, closest to him.

Last year, the PGA Tour's all-time charitable total surpassed $3 billion following a record $204.3 million generated throughout 2019. It impacts lives positively across the communities where the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Series-China have the privilege to hold tournaments annually.

Barely 24 hours after the enforced shutdown, Monahan, along with 30 other staff members, rolled up their sleeves and sprang into action in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, to serve meals at a homeless shelter with food that was prepared for an expected 200,000 fans.

The PGA Tour and The Players Championship have for long partnered with Feeding Northeast Florida and on this occasion helped provide 22 tons of food, valued at nearly $700,000, to support families in need.

Monahan's actions inspired Billy Horschel, the 2014 FedExCup champion, into his own act of kindness. Horschel donated $20,000 of the $52,000 he received with the cancellation of The Players to the Feeding Northeast Florida－a community food bank that connects millions of pounds of rescued food to a network of over 150 social-service agencies and programs.

The five-time PGA Tour winner had initially pledged $1,000 for every birdie and $5,000 for every eagle that he made at The Players to Feeding Northeast Florida.

Horschel's good deed was soon followed up by England's Matt Wallace, who pledged $18,200 to Blessings in a Backpack, another local charity that would usually benefit from The Players.

Days later, Brooks Koepka announced a $100,000 contribution through his own foundation to the Community Foundation's COVID-19 Response Fund for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, saying on Twitter: "I know these are hard times and we have so much uncertainty around us. I'm thinking of everyone who is being impacted by this pandemic. I want to do my part to help during this stressful time."

The writer is senior director of communications of the PGA Tour and is based in Kuala Lumpur.