People join clubs for a variety of reasons, but for all of them it’s to feel a sense of belonging expressed as camaraderie and community. Both of these values usually begin within the club, with the shared experience of membership, and then extend into the club’s local community. This wanting to belong and to help those around us is part of the better aspects of human nature.
You can see the influence and impact that clubs have in their local communities everywhere, every day. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, one club—Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, N.J.—went the extra mile and, as a result, started a movement that has become a nationwide phenomenon called ClubsHelp. From there, it has blossomed to become an organization poised to assist clubs across the country as needs arise in their local communities—from food banks to fire houses, scholarship funds to shelter.
It Began with One NCA Club
It started in March 2020 when Spring Brook member Susan McGahan and her daughters learned that the nearby local hospital— Morristown Medical Center—was in need of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), masks and hydration for first responders. They marshalled their resources and those of their fellow club members to find and deliver the supplies needed by the hospital.
“New Jersey was at the epicenter of the pandemic,” said David Bachmann, general manager and COO of Spring Brook. “Once Susan alerted our staff and members, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation to gather the needed supplies and make personal deliveries to the medical teams that were working so diligently to help others.”
Still a local story, Bachmann appeared on “Fox & Friends.” Among those who saw the telecast was Rob Goulet, president of Entertainment and Sports Partners, and the manager of professional golfer Ernie Els. According to Bachmann, “Rob said, ‘Let’s grow this movement together and engage clubs around the country.’” ClubsHelp was born.
What started as a single club has grown coast to coast. The motto says it all: Unite Nationally. Care Locally.
The members of Spring Brook expanded their support, giving to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, which serves as a critical lifeline for thousands of people in and around the urban center of Elizabeth, N.J. area, including many who are vulnerable and poor. “Thank you for opening your hearts to the frontline staff at Trinitas,” said the hand-written note from Nadine Brechner, the center’s chief development officer & vice president. “The thoughtful gift of 1,000 KN95 masks will be used to protect our first-line responders, doctors and nurses as they care for our patients. Your generosity and kindness lift spirits, renew hope, and provide strength during this difficult time.”
Expanding the Reach
The medical community was eager to receive assistance and through additional outreach, formed an advisory board to guide ClubsHelp in navigating the health care industry and identifying where it was most needed.
“As a healthcare executive and avid golfer, I can think of no better partnership to proactively improve our community’s health and well-being than golf club members working hand in hand with community healthcare providers,” commented David Ledbetter, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania and a member of the healthcare advisory board.
Support from prominent golfers, including Ernie Els, Jack Nicklaus and Kris Tschetter, increased visibility for the new organization, which has now grown to nearly 400 member clubs.
In his endorsement video, Nicklaus challenged the hundreds of clubs he designed across the country to join ClubsHelp. One of the many National Club Association member clubs to step up was Desert Mountain, located in Carefree, Ariz., and home to six Nicklaus Signature golf courses.
As the pandemic spread—with Arizona especially hard hit— the members of Desert Mountain exhibited their generosity and collective energy by providing healthy, balanced meals to three Phoenix-area hospitals, The Mayo Clinic, HonorHealth and Banner Health, as well as the first responders of the Scottsdale Police and Fire Departments. Such efforts are nothing new for the Desert Mountain community, which has a long history of charitable support, including its own need-based scholarship fund for eligible employees, their spouses, and dependent children and grandchildren.
“The idea to support the greater community was first generated by our members, who consistently and generously help others,” said Damon DiOrio, CEO, Desert Mountain Club. “And, of course, when Mr. Nicklaus added his challenge, Desert Mountain was ready to help.” Responding to Nicklaus’ challenge, which aligned with a grassroots, member-driven initiative, Desert Mountain raised nearly $60,000 in eight weeks, which was used to supply 3,550 meals to employees and their families, hospital staff and frontline responders.
Looking Ahead to Additional Needs
What’s next for ClubsHelp? While its impetus was the pandemic, the organization—through its member clubs—is also addressing the needs of communities affected by fires, hurricanes and other disasters.
Following the recent, devastating storms in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—where 40% of the community was without power for two weeks, supplies were scarce, and COVID-19 cases were spiking— ClubsHelp offered aid to Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
“There is no way to thank you enough for your desire to help,” texted Lorrie Erusha, president, Mercy Medical Center Foundation. “Your organization’s mission is marvelous and you have no idea the impact you’ll have helping Cedar Rapids residents.”
When Justin Riegel, 38, director of golf at Philmont Country Club, a Concert Golf property outside of Philadelphia, was tragically killed in a severe thunderstorm that caused a tree to crash down on the barn and pro shop, ClubsHelp was there to support by donating to a scholarship fund set up for his young family.
The ultimate objective of the ClubsHelp cause, however, is staying local. Clubs are encouraged to “adopt” a local charity on their own or work together to support a cause.
For example, seven Florida clubs collectively “adopted” Delray Medical Center, part of Tenet Health,taking turns delivering complete, pre-packaged “to-go” meals for 200 staff members at the hospital: Polo Club (Boca Raton), Addison Reserve Country Club (Delray Beach), The Club at Quail Ridge (Boynton Beach), Woodfield Country Club (Boca Raton), Delaire Country Club (Delray Beach), Gleneagles Country Club (Delray Beach) and St. Andrews Country Club (Boca Raton).
Several national vendors also stepped up to the plate, adapting their production capabilities to provide ClubsHelp with essential PPE equipment to be distributed locally to those who need it the most.
Mountain Productions in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a large event company, donated 1,000 sets of anti-microbial gowns and 3-ply masks through clubs to medical facilities in three hard-hit areas: University of Mississippi Medical Center (Country Club of Jackson); Advent Health Systems and Orlando Health; and Eastern Connecticut Health Network-Manchester Memorial Hospital (Ellington Ridge Country Club).
AHEAD USA, one of the country’s most prominent headwear manufacturers, donated caps for participants in the ClubsHelp 100-Hole Challenge (see sidebar) and ClubsHelp member clubs.
Clif Bar & Company donated 7 million energy bars through ClubsHelp to frontline health care workers, first responders, food banks, hospitals, and 100-Hole Challenge participants, just a fraction of the company’s total national donation.
A who’s who of national golf-industry organizations, including NCA, also pledged support for ClubsHelp. NGCOA, GCSAA, ASGCA, and CMAA have joined Arcis Golf, ClubCorp and Concert Golf Partners to communicate and amplify the opportunity.
The generosity of these organizations and clubs is only surpassed by their creativity. The Club at Lake Sinclair partnered with restauranteur Jason Medders, owner and chef of Aubri Lanes at The Club, to serve hot meals to staff at Baldwin County Fire and Rescue and ORMC Navicent Hospital. Additionally, three complimentary “drive thru” barbeques were held for hometown heroes and frontline responders. And in a very generous act, the club’s grounds maintenance crews have mowed the lawns of dozens of first responders who were either too busy or too tired to do yard work due to the rigors of fighting COVID-19.
That’s going the extra mile. And that’s what “community”—and ClubsHelp—is all about.