Melinda's "Golf Balls 4 Babies"

In addition to volunteering weekly in MountainStar's "Healing Children" classroom, one of Melinda Bailey's favorite things to do is "hunting and fishing" for golf balls at her home course, Widgi Creek Golf Club. When the owner of the club asked local residents to please refrain from spin and flyfishing on the lakes at Widgi, he made one exception... it's still okay for Melinda to "fish" for golf balls.

During golfing events at Widgi, Melinda places a basket of golf balls on the 11th tee box. Any golfer who wants an extra ball or two for the intimidating tee shot over the lake are welcome to select from a wide assortment of gently used Titlests, Bridgestones, Callaways, and other name brands. Along with the basket of balls, Melinda puts out a Birdies 4 Babies donation box with a sign asking golfers to make a contribution to MountainStar.

Last summer, Melinda spent over six hours each week collecting golf balls at Widgi. To clean the balls, she would run them through a cycle in her washing machine. (Amazingly, she cleans golf balls in her washing machine!) Last season, Melinda collected over 1,000 golf balls and raised more than $900 for MountainStar through the B4B donation box!

Way to go Melinda!

Taya Wins CN Canadian Women's Tour Season Opener

CONGRATULATIONS to Taya Battistella (B4B Golf Professional) for WINNING the CN Canadian Women's Tour event at Seymour Golf & Country Club! During the 2-day tournament, Taya made 6 "Birdies 4 Babies". The win earns her an exemption into the 2009 CN Canadian Women's Open.

42 Golf Pros Signed on with B4B This Season!

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is proud to announce that forty-two golf professionals are participating in its fifth annual Birdies 4 Babies fundraiser. Participating this year are golf pros from Aspen Lakes (Derek Johnson and Matt Phillips), Awbrey Glen Golf Club (Tim Fraley, Rick Gloor and Steve Ho’okano), Bend Golf and Country Club (Erik Nielsen, Todd Kruse, Corey Lackaff and Brandon Jackson), Brasada Ranch (Zach Swoffer and Dan Wendt), Broken Top Club (Chad Stoddard and Greg Robbins), Crosswater Club (Josh Willis, Louis Bennett and Josh Gordon), Eagle Crest Resort (Ron Buerger, Howie Pruitt, and Tam Bronkey), Juniper Golf (Bruce Wattenburger), Lost Tracks (Bob Garza), Pronghorn Club (Michael Marion, Mike Lewis, Nolan Halterman, Justin Thayer and Randy Ballard), River’s Edge (Troy Eckberg, Brad Hunter), Sunriver Resort (Tony Blasius, Chris Points, Tom Whittemore, Kyle Johnson, Meghan Dobbins, Lynn Neeman and Ryan King, Tetherow (Martin Chuck and Caleb Anderson) and Widgi Creek Golf Club (Dan Ostrin, Josh Bowles and Ted Taylor.) Also participating is Futures Tour player, Taya Battistella, and PGA golf professional, Bob Duncan.

Thank you to all of the pros who have signed on with Birdies 4 Babies this season!

Over $35,000 Raised This Season!

Amateur and professional golfers from all over Central Oregon raised more than $35,000 this year for MountainStar Family Relief Nursery through Birdies 4 Babies! Among the major birdie makers were golfers from Crosswater Golf Club, who donated more than $17,000 to MountainStar. According to Kim Rogers of Crosswater, “Both the men’s and ladies’ golf groups at Crosswater wanted to help children at high-risk for abuse and neglect and has whole-heartedly adopted Birdies 4 Babies.” “It’s fun to make a birdie, but also knowing that the birdie money raised is going to the aid of our community’s most vulnerable children makes the golfing experience much more gratifying.”

Also participating in Birdies 4 Babies this year were 50 golf professionals, who asked friends, family, golfing pals, students and club members to sponsor birdies they made while competing in Oregon PGA events. Futures Tour player, Taya Battistella, also participated in Birdies 4 Babies, raising more than $2,000 with the 156 birdies and 1 eagle scored in professional tournaments through October.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the local golfing community,” says Tim Rusk, Executive Director of MountainStar. “In addition to bringing in critical dollars that support MountainStar’s programs, Birdies 4 Babies has helped create much needed public awareness for children and families who desperately need the services we provide.”

Birdies 4 Babies Golf Pros Competing in 2008 Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship

The following B4B golf professionals are competing this week at Tetherow Golf Club in the 2008 Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship:

Tony Blasius (Sunriver Resort)
Martin Chuck (Tetherow)
Tim Fraley (Awbrey Glen)
Bob Garza (Lost Tracks
Dan Ostrin (Widgi Creek)

The lowest 5 golfers at the end of the 54-hole tournament will advance to the 42nd National PGA Championship next June at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. The top 5 golfers from that tournament will advance to the PGA Championship, one of golf's 4 major tournaments.

MountainStar sends good luck and "one putt wishes" to Tony, Martin, Tim, Bob and Dan!

Birdies 4 Babies Story on Duramed Futures Tour Website

On August 8th, the Duramed FUTURES Tour (http://duramedfuturestour.com) posted a story in the "Entertainment" section of the website called "Birdies 4 Babies - Player Charity Involvement". The story features B4B golf professional Taya Battistella. To read about Taya's accomplishments, here's the link:

http://duramedfuturestour.com/Entertainment/Features.asp?page=Features/FS080708.ssi

Crosswater Tees Up Golfing Season by Giving $4,000!

Members of Crosswater Club have already raised more than $4,000 for MountainStar's Birdies 4 Babies golfing fundraiser, and the season has just started!

From MountainStar Executive Director, Tim Rusk: "Given current economic challenges, at-risk children in Central Oregon are facing an even higher threat for abuse and neglect. Poverty, homelessness and unemployment are just 3 of the average 20 risk factors that many of the families served by MountainStar are dealing with on a daily basis. On behalf of the many vulnerable children in our community, we extend our deep appreciation and sincere thanks to the members of Crosswater for their generosity and ongoing support of our program."