PHIL MICKELSON AND HYFLYERS GC TEAM UP WITH BUNKERS IN BAGHDAD

HOUSTON – The HyFlyers GC, captained by Phil Mickelson, announced the launch of its community impact program, partnering with Bunkers in Baghdad and their Bunkers Buddies program. Mickelson’s father was a fighter jet pilot and Mickelson and his family have a long history of supporting military related causes.

For the LIV Golf Houston event, fans who donate 12 golf balls at the HyFlyers drop boxes will receive grounds pass tickets for the day. From Friday to Sunday, fans are encouraged to bring their new or gently used golf balls to the LIV Houston Fan Entrance between 10:00am to 2:00pm in exchange for their tickets.

Bunkers in Baghdad collects golf balls, clubs and related golf equipment and ships them to troops in 80 countries, to all 50 states, to veterans and to active-duty military for recreation, rehabilitation, and a slice of home. The Bunkers Buddies program teams up with children and young adults of all ages from schools across the United States to encourage civic engagement and participation in community services.

“We are forever grateful for the sacrifice that the men and women of our country have made to provide the freedoms we all take for granted,” said HyFlyers Captain Phil Mickelson. “We want to help bring some enjoyment to our military with the game of golf. It is also so important to us to teach the next generation the meaning of giving back to our military, so we are excited to support the Bunkers Buddies program. Teeing up our partnership at the Golf Club of Houston is particularly meaningful because of the deep respect I have for Jackie Burke and all he did for the game of golf, and it will be fun to use one of the drills he taught me with the kids.”

Phil Mickelson and his team, HyFlyers GC, conducted a clinic this week for children whose parents are some of the highest-ranking Air Force and Naval military members stationed in Houston. Mickelson paid tribute to Houston native and golf legend Jackie Burke, and in his memory, Phil utilized a drill with the kids that Jackie taught him. The next portion of the event was an activity that catered to the Bunker Buddies program, where the kids decorated golf balls and wrote letters for Bunkers in Baghdad to ship with recycled golf equipment to active military stationed overseas.

“Establishing this partnership with Pro Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, his wife Amy, and the great golfers on the HyFlyers presents an exceptional opportunity for Bunkers in Baghdad to make a significant impact not only on the lives of our brave men and women by sending them gifts from home, but also for their children,” said Bunkers in Baghdad President Joseph M. Hanna. “We are delighted to spend time with these wonderful Houston-area military families representing all branches of our military through our “Bunkers Buddies” program to collaborate on sending personalized messages to our troops overseas and here at home. In planting this seed with the next generation about the importance of kindness and service to others, we can instill in our children the very values our troops embody. We are truly honored to be part of this phenomenal partnership.”

Bunkers in Baghdad recently hit their 15-year milestone with 15,000,000 golf balls donated and 1.5 million clubs, sending heartfelt messages from 2,000 participating Bunker Buddies schools nationwide. The Bunkers program also sends golf equipment to injured veterans who are currently recovering in Wounded Warriors programs and other military installations and VA hospitals across the United States. They provide equipment to help with their rehabilitation and as a form of recreation.

The Bunkers Buddies program teams up with children and young adults of all ages from schools across the United States to encourage civic engagement and participation in community services. The program encourages students to participate in work at all levels - in addition to fundraising, Bunkers Buddies hold equipment drives and package equipment to be shipped to soldiers. They also write letters, draw pictures and make homemade cards to be included in shipments to the troops.

In partnering with Bunkers in Baghdad and Bunker Buddies, HyFlyers GC is focused on three areas of impact that are meaningful to the team: engaging with youth, sustainability efforts and honoring the military. HyFlyers is particularly excited for the Bunkers with Baghdad and Bunker Buddies program because it aligns seamlessly with LIV’s transformative initiatives in Potential, Unleashed.