By William Walker
PGATOUR.COM Managing Editor
David Toms isn’t just winning events on the PGA TOUR, he’s trying to win the battle against conditions faced by abused, abandoned and underprivileged children.
He has just launched the David Toms Foundation, with its motto: “Creates Hope For Children.” It’s designed to provide assistance to children in need. There are more than one million homeless children in the United States.
“These children live in fear, and their wants in life are basic — a place to sleep, food to eat, and emotional security. Child abuse, as morally reprehensible crime as there is, is still prevalent in our society,” his foundation says on its website, www.davidtomsfoundation.com.
Assisting and protecting these children is of utmost importance to Toms. And he’s asking golf fans to get involved. Toms vows that fans who offer donations will be ensured that money is carefully managed and that it will make a difference.
“If we can help a family get off the street, get a child away from an abusive home or help a child learn life skills, then we are creating hope and making a difference in the community,” the Shreveport, La., native said.
Toms raises money on his website for the foundation through direct donations and also be selling memorabilia, such as autographed hats, balls and photos. Every penny of that money goes to the foundation charities. Some of those items are hot properties this season, with Toms having won both the Wachovia Championship and the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
On Thursday, a red-hot Toms came off his FedEx St. Jude Classic victory to fire a sizzling 7-under 65 to take the clubhouse lead in the 100th Western Open, made up of an elite PGA TOUR field.
Last month Toms’ foundation made the first of its major donations, $100,000 to Providence House in Shreveport, a residential facility which helps underpriviledged children and their families.
“Their mission of helping families with children gain the resources to become self-sufficient is admirable and their success rate is astonishing,” Toms said, referring to the more than 91 percent of families with children who leave the facility and go on to have successful, independent lives.
Toms is joined on the foundation board by Sonya, his wife of 10 years, and Shreveport residents Christopher Campbell, Robert Dunkelman, Donna Miciotto, Knox Ridley, Bo Smithwick, and executive director Adam Young.
The foundation is also backed financially by sponsor Tommy Hilfiger Golf. But to expand, Toms would like more help. Corporations and businesses interested can call (318) 798-KIDS or email to info@davidtomsfoundation.com.
The LSU grad has nine career PGA TOUR victories, including the 2001 PGA Championship, and has earned more than $3.1 million this year to rank sixth on the TOUR money list. But now he wants to give something back through the game that has given him, and his wife and son, so much.
“I’m very excited about the foundation we were able to create,” Toms said. “I feel fortunate that I am able to give back to the community and the foundation enables us to be able to do so in a more professional manner.”
Toms is yet another example of the motto: “Giving back is at the heart of the PGATOUR.”