Wounded service members enjoy a unique Caddy For A Cure experience during the Honda Classic

February 27, 2013

Staff Sergeant Brian Mast caddies for Super Bowl Champion Ed Reed during The Honda Classic Pro-Am.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.-Four distinguished wounded warriors enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Wednesday, February 27, when they caddied for a group of celebrities during the Kenny G Gold Pro-Am presented by Tire Kingdom.  The event took place on the Champions Course at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, during the PGA TOUR’s 2013 Honda Classic.

The warriors caddied for an impressive group of celebrities led by World Golf Hall of Fame member Raymond Floyd; NFL safety Ed Reed of the newly-crowned Super Bowl champions the Baltimore Ravens;  nine-time NFL Pro Bowl superstar and Golf Channel “Morning Drive” cast member Ahmad Rashad; and world renowned saxophonist Kenny G, who has hosted the Pro-Am at the Honda Classic for several years.

Among the wounded warriors caddying for the group were Alex Trujillo, Jorge Zapata, SFC Manuel Colon and Staff Sergeant Brian Mast.  Mast, an explosive ordinance disposal technician from Grand Rapids, MI, lost both of his legs and a finger in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2010.  The following year, after extensive rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he served as First Lady Michelle Obama’s guest at President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address at the White House.   

“The PGA TOUR’s 'Together, anything’s possible' charitable mission could not be more aptly named as I reflect on this caddying experience, because ‘together’ is precisely the only way that I am able to successfully execute an afternoon like this,” said Mast.  “Together has really been a sentiment I have felt from individuals nationwide since returning from Afghanistan in 2010 with both of my legs amputated.  Having spent 12 years in the U.S. Army, I have always been so proud of my country; but never as proud as I have been since the day I woke up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center until now, and every day in between, when people from friends to complete strangers have gone out of their way to assist me.  I never thought it would be possible for me to participate in opportunities like this one, but ‘together,’ Caddy For A Cure and Birdies for the Brave made that possible; and I cannot say thank you enough.”

The caddy experience is part of the non-profit program Caddy For A Cure, in which fans bid in an online auction for the unique opportunity to caddy for a PGA TOUR or LPGA Tour player during their official practice or Pro-Am competition round, with 100% of the proceeds donated to charity.  The wounded service members participated in the Kenny G Gold Pro-Am as part of of Birdies for the Brave, a military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR which is designed to honor and show appreciation to the courageous members of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families.  For more information, visit birdiesforthebrave.org.