Honma Golf Charity Fundraiser Aids PGA Workforce Impacted by Coronavirus
Chances to win premium golf equipment support
PGA of America’s ‘Golf Emergency Relief Fund’
CARLSBAD, Calif. — Leading golf equipment brand Honma Golf has launched two fundraising efforts in support of the PGA of America’s newly-established Golf Emergency Relief Fund, which provides short-term financial assistance to members of the golf industry workforce who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using #PickUpYourPro as a rallying cry, Honma hopes to raise at least $25,000 in support of the industry-spanning relief campaign.
Honma, which has operating headquarters in both Carlsbad, Calif. and Sakata, Japan, has established a charity fundraiser at honmagolf.rallyup.com, giving golfers the opportunity to win premium current-model Honma equipment as well as rare and collectible clubs and accessories.
Honma’s charitable #PickUpYourPro initiative, which features nearly $50,000 in Honma retail product, invites donors to support the Golf Emergency Relief Fund by contributing $10, $25, $50 or $100 fixed-entry amounts between April 22 and May 15, 2020. In turn, donors have a chance to win attractive product packages. Winners will be selected randomly on May 20.
Through the #PickUpYourPro charity promotion, Honma is creating unprecedented access to several of its most coveted product offerings. Among the new and vintage items that golfers have a chance to win include a full premium TR20 package including the TR20 driver, irons, wedges, and choice of bag ($2,375 value), seven premium BERES 07 Three Star irons plus a hybrid, and a choice of bag ($4,900 value), or a Priceless Classic Package of persimmon woods and iron relics from the Honma museum housed in a handsome leather carry bag ($4,675 value). Also, up for grabs are premium XP-1 packages, custom “Wedge Wizard” fittings (by wedge artisan Jacob Sanborn), high-end club fitting experiences at Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL., as well as Honma accessories and swag, including golf bags, hats, beanies, T-shirts, and hoodies.
“As a part of this close-knit family we know the golf industry to be, the Honma team is acting on a responsibility to do what we can to help lift those affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic,” says John Kawaja, president of Honma Golf. “The Golf Emergency Relief Fund will provide crucial support for many of the men and women who are the very lifeblood of this business. In this time of crisis, it’s inspiring to see golf people unite for this cause to Pick Up Your Pro.”
Honma is also contributing 10 percent of the proceeds from all online sales at honmagolf.com from April 15, 2020 through May 30, 2020 to the PGA’s Golf Emergency Relief Fund. This includes sales of all Honma golf clubs and accessories.
“Even simple gestures can have a significant impact during this crisis, so we appreciate every bit of support golfers can lend to the folks who make this industry special,” Kawaja says.
The Golf Emergency Relief Fund was initiated by the PGA of America through a lead pledge of $5 million and a matching fund for gifts by third parties of up to $2.5 million. The PGA contribution included every member of the executive leadership team voluntarily reducing their compensation as well as pledges of personal donations from members of the PGA’s Board of Directors. The effort is also being supported in various ways by a number of industry organizations, including the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA, United States Golf Association, National Golf Course Owners Association and Association of Golf Merchandisers.
“The golf industry is in an unprecedented crisis, and our friends, colleagues and their families need our help right away," said PGA of America president Suzy Whaley. "We have to ensure that the heart and soul of our game - our people - are able to get back on their feet and continue to serve others down the road. Eventually, golf will return, but first we need to reach out and help people in our industry during this national emergency.”
For more information, visit www.honmagolf.com and www.pga.com and take part in Honma’s #PickUpYourPro charitable initiative at honmagolf.rallyup.com.
About Honma Golf
Honma is one of the most prestigious and iconic brands in the golf industry. Founded in 1959, the Company utilizes the latest innovative technologies and traditional Japanese craftsmanship to provide golfers across the globe with premium, high-tech and top-performing golf clubs with state-of-the-art heads and proprietary shafts built by master artisans to perform together holistically. Renowned for creating the world’s highest quality and most beautiful golf clubs, Honma offers equipment (including balls, apparel and accessories) to fit all golfers, with the families aligned to suit the preferences and abilities of various segments of golfers: the world-renowned luxury BERES series and the Tour-validated T//World line, which includes the new game improvement XP- 1 line and the new Tour-inspired TR20 series.
The premium golf club manufacturer and lifestyle brand was founded inside a small Yokohama workshop six decades ago and now holistically designs all products in Sakata, Japan. Honma operates as the only company that handles every step from design to final production in-house to create the highest-quality products on the market today. Honma's products are sold in approximately 50 countries worldwide, primarily in Asia and across North America, Europe and other regions. To learn more, visit www.HonmaGolf.com.