Putting For A Purpose
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Matches for Meals aims to feed famished children
On a small pitch in London, a young golfer squares her shoulders, listens to the wind, and takes a swing.
As the ball flies through the air, another young golfer holds the same colorful club—meant to better teach beginners—and concentrates on a similar ball at his feet. He is more than 6,000 miles away in Cape Town, South Africa; he takes a deep breath and makes a precise, deliberate putt.
The two youths are part of similar teams that compete against each other in the same game on identical courses happening on different sides of the world. They are part of a multi-decade project that will soon culminate into an effort called Matches for Meals with an aim to provide a million meals to famished children through the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) non-profit foundation.
“This started when I looked around and saw what I could do,” says lifelong golfer and former PGA tour player, Terry Anton. “What I really care about is how many millions of meals we can provide and we think it's going to be pretty substantial.”
This accessible project welcomes kids ages 8 through 12 to participate in teams of 12; all they need is a set of equipment, a small field to play in, and a 10-play match card. Proceeds will then go towards the Feed My Starving Children charity and if only 1,000 teams register, the project will reach its goal. But Anton doesn't intend to stop there; he wants to incorporate other sports and activities including robotics, archery, and bowling.
“Once we get this up and running and we reach a million meals, ask me how I feel then,” Anton says with a laugh. “I'll be looking at how we can get to 10 million meals.”
Amidst the current COVID-19 crisis, Anton and his team have put together contingencies that will keep the kids safe. SNAG already includes an eight-foot distance rule on the course and Anton intends to purchase masks and establish a disinfectant regimen for the equipment. The effort will not only continue despite the outbreak; it will provide an opportunity of normalcy and safe fun during troubling times.
The best way to join the effort is to sign up as a coach online at https://www.snaggolf.com/events/fundraising-marketing-resources/. SNAG can also help offset the costs of equipment for those who can't afford it.
“Everything about this is really cool and if you had to ask me what is the coolest thing about anything I'm ever doing, it's the millions of meals this might produce for a hungry population,” Anton says.