'Tis the season for gift-giving and giving back, but the two are not always mutually exclusive. We've uncovered a handful of items that support a non-profit or local cause of some kind.
Before we rattle off the items, consider the following that are not specific to the holiday season:
- Charity outings in your town. Each town has events going on throughout the year. Keep your ear to the ground, buy a foursome and surprise your buddies this holiday season.
- You can donate to the First Tee: it can be cash or cleaning out your golf closet.
- Two great charity auctions that are inactive at the moment but are worth bookmarking on for 2020:
The Rounds 4 Research auction through EIFG (Environmental Institute for Golf) - this auction typically goes live in August and features thousands of golf courses across the country, including a collection of private and prestigious clubs in every state. Bid on rounds in 2020 to gift at Christmas time. Proceeds benefit turfgrass research.
Youth on Course also held a rounds auction in November benefiting their initiatives like their caddie program and $5 green fees for youth at a growing number of participating facilities. Keep an eye out for these two follow-up auctions in 2020.
Be sure to tell us and your fellow golfers of any other charitable causes in the game this holiday season in the comments below!
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Linksoul and the Warrior Canine Connection
Linksoul's Make Par Not War collection has teamed up with Warrior Canine Connection. Their mission: WCC enlists recovering combat veterans in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow veterans.
10% of sales from Make Par Not War go to WCC and other veterans' charities near their Linksoul HQ in Oceanside, California. Check out the video posted below. Browse items here.
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Double Circle Golf
Here's a boutique Canadian golf company that has taken it upon themselves to employ local elderly women in Calgary to make their golf goods. Their mission:
Double Circle Golf is dedicated to helping elderly women with great skills but few employment opportunities. All our products are proudly made in Calgary, Canada by members of our community. Through handcrafted, unique, and original products Double Circle Golf provides our artisans meaning, self-respect and assists them in their ability to financially support themselves.
Double Circle specializes in soft handmade goods such as headcovers, shag bags and bottle holders. In other words: ideal stocking stuffers.
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Timbers bicycles at Kiawah Island
One unique cause I learned of while visiting the golf hotbed of Kiawah Island, S.C. this summer was the protection of the endangered Loggerhead sea turtles that inhabit the island. The island's resorts and developments such as Timbers take great pride in their protection. Timbers partnered with Peter Millar to design custom beach cruisers. Those who live or vacation in a beach town can purchase these custom cruisers ($1,200) and venture along boardwalks or beaches in style while supporting the Turtle Patrol program. Learn more here.
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Jack's House wines
Winemaking is a side-hustle for several prominent golfers. Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and others have lent their names to several vintages. Jack Nicklaus is in on it as well, and his Jack’s House label, in partnership with Napa-based winery Terlato, funnels proceeds to several charities close to the Nicklaus’ hearts via the Jack’s House Foundation. Three Nicklaus-labeled varietals include a Private Reserve Red, Private Reserve White and a Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.99).
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Imperial Sports' 'Save Muny' gear
This may be my home golf course, but you don't need to be an Austinite to support the historically significant and imminently threatened Lions Municipal Golf Course. It was the first desegregated golf course in the South and a boyhood haunt of Ben Crenshaw. But landowners, the University of Texas, are considering paving it over.
Imperial Sports has a product page where you can by Muny gear created by the Save Muny foundation. Proceeds go to awareness and legal efforts. Browse their selection of hats, visors and shirts here.
