When Jill Haboush and Lori Marciniak got ready this morning to attend a Community Breakfast at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club at Harbor Shores, they likely had no idea that they would be stepping to the stage to be presented with ceremonial super-sized checks for $50,000 each from the cast and crew of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship team.
Haboush, who serves as Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Greater Michiana, and Marciniak, the long-running Executive Director of the Curious Kids’ Museum in St. Joseph, both assumed that they were simply on hand as reps from the Kids Zone attractions in Jean Klock Park to witness recognition by the Championship of local community government leaders Marcus Muhammad, Cathy Yates, Mike Sarola, and Mamie Yarbrough on behalf of the City of Benton Harbor, Benton Charter Township, the City of St. Joseph, and Berrien County respectively.
Friday mornings at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship have become noteworthy for local public officials as Championship Directors like this year’s leader Brandon Haney take time out to address the collaborative support of local officials who help maximize the impact the major event for the entire region.
As a result of this morning’s surprise announcements from the podium by Haney and General Chairman Jeff Fettig and leaders from the PGA of America, the impact of this year’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will extend far beyond the greens this week. The two local youth organizations under the guidance of Haboush and Marciniak are reaping the benefits of the Championship in the form of significant charitable contributions to help them to continue their great work in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Representing Curious Kids’ Museum and the YMCA of Greater Michiana the two were surprised this morning with $50,000 donations during the special presentation at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship being held at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor.
Even as professional golfers from across the globe were teeing-off the 1st tee less than 70-yards away to launch the second round action, the tent alongside the clubhouse was packed with local officials and guests to see the two be called to the stage in shock to accept the unexpected donations from the PGA of America and KitchenAid.
Jim Richerson, President of the PGA of America, says, “The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship has always been about more than just golf. It’s about the community, and recognizing the selfless leaders who make this area such an incredible place,” while adding, “We are proud to support Curious Kids’ Museum and the YMCA in delivering impactful services for local youth.”
Those two donations were made in addition to $50,000 in scholarships given this year to Lake Michigan College’s Start-to-Finish program as as part of the PGA and Whirlpool Corporation’s Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Program.
Jeff Fettig, General Chair of the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, says, “The development of Harbor Shores started as a catalyst to move our community forward, and the positive impact it has had on Southwest Michigan year after year continues to amaze me. It has brought people together through golf to make lasting change. Fettig concluded, “The golf course and the Championship have become ingrained in this community, and we could not be more proud to support these deserving organizations.”
For more information about the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and its community impact, you can visit this link: http://SRPGA.com
