TAMPA, Fla. – In 2019, a group of junior golfers set out to make a difference in the game of golf. Not by making birdies or eagles but by fundraising.
Florida Junior Tour players, Miles Russell, Graden Lomax and Alexander Kaufman joined together to form the Sunshine Cup, as part of the State Cup Series sponsored by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). The inaugural Sunshine Cup was contested between 32 players at Streamsong Resort, all raising money to support the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and the Liberty National Ace Grant.
The three players recruited a total of 28 players to commit to raising $1,000 each toward a goal of $30,000 for the inaugural event. Now almost four years later, the Sunshine Cup have raised close to $300,000.
“I don’t think we ever expected it to be as big as it is now or raise as much money as we have.” Russell said.
For the junior golfers that tee it up in the Sunshine Cup, it is not about who makes the most birdies, it is about bringing together young golfers all supporting a great cause.
“I was honored to be invited to play in the Inaugural Florida Sunshine Cup five years ago and have been fortunate enough to play every year since,” Clark Mason, Junior Florida Cup member said. “It is an honor to be raising funds for the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation”.
Every October, 32 juniors are split into two teams to compete in a Ryder Cup style event for the Sunshine Cup. They compete in four ball, scramble, alternate shot, and singles matches.
Lomax’s dad is the group’s “statistician” and is responsible for splitting the juniors into the two 16-player teams, named Team Bears and Team Aces in reference to the two charities they are supporting.
“It’s a little step back from competitive golf,” says Russell. “You’re able to see and spend time with people you usually only see at tournaments.”
With competitive Junior golf becoming more and more busy with events all across the country, the Sunshine Cup offers competitors the chance to enjoy the game while giving back.
Many hours go into fundraising for the Sunshine Cup, and even at their young age, the competitors take those matters into their own hands.
“Last year I did all my fundraising on my own,” Russell said. “Calling, texting, emailing people was how I was able to meet my goal of $10,000.”
This year, as a result of his fundraising efforts, Russell was given the opportunity to meet Jack Nicklaus during the Honda Classic.
“It’s really cool to be able to meet one of the greatest players to ever play the game.” Russell said.
The Jacksonville Beach native is certainly grateful of the support he receives for the Sunshine Cup. Each year, he writes a hand-written note to the people who donate to his fundraising efforts. For Russell, the note is a way to show appreciation for all the donators.
The 5th Sunshine Cup will be held later this month at Banyan Cay Resort with juniors from around the country making their way to Florida for a fun weekend of golf and giving back.
“Hopefully, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger by year,” Russell
If you would like to learn more about the Sunshine Cup, you can visit floridasunshinecup.com.
