Golf giving back: Relief after Hurricane Katrina
By Special to PGATOUR.COM
"It was completely surreal ... gut-wrenching and excruciating to watch," says PGA TOUR player and fifth-generation New Orleans native Kelly Gibson of watching the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history wreak havoc on his beloved city. Gibson, who along with Steve Elkington served as a player consultant on the design of TPC Louisiana -- site of this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans -- was at a hotel in Milwaukee when news of Hurricane Katrina was broadcast on CNN.
"I just could not digest the magnitude of the devastation. My heart went out to those who lost their lives, and to the hundreds of thousands of people whose homes, businesses and livelihoods were destroyed in this tragedy," said Gibson, whose thoughts quickly turned to how he could help.
Awed by the immediate outpouring of assistance from firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers, the Red Cross and other relief agencies, Gibson established "Feed The Relief," a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to feeding first responders on-site in New Orleans and surrounding communities. Rallying support from fellow TOUR players Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, David Toms and Doug Barron, as well as sponsors and golf industry contacts, Gibson was able to contribute more than $1 million to provide sustenance for those at the front lines of the relief effort.
"We were not allowed to go home to New Orleans for more than a month while relief efforts continued," Gibson said. "So it was satisfying to know that I and fellow PGA TOUR players could still help in some way. New Orleans is very dear to my heart, as is TPC Louisiana -- which unfortunately did not fare well in the storm."
Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, TPC Louisiana's outstanding championship layout sustained significant damage from Katrina, with widespread flooding and thousands of downed trees forcing the closure of the property. In all, more than 2,000 trees were lost, with nearly 30 acres of fairway turf in need of repair. The course, which was named by Golf Digest the "No. 4 Best Upscale Public Golf Course" when it opened in 2004, was already undergoing competitive enhancements when Katrina hit.
"It was heart-breaking to see this beautiful masterpiece under water, and even more tragic to hear of the personal losses suffered by TPC Louisiana employees, 90 percent of whom are New Orleans natives," said Gibson. Many of them had lost homes, and all were facing unsure futures due to the closure of the property."
The PGA TOUR responded to Katrina immediately. In partnership with the LPGA, USGA, PGA of America, The Masters Tournament and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the TOUR helped launch the U.S. Golf Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund -- an effort that contributed $5.3 million to directly support New Orleans residents affected by Katrina.
In mid-September, Gibson joined TOUR personnel, TPC Louisiana employees led by head golf professional (and currently general manager) Luke Farabaugh, and golf course superintendents from throughout the TPC Network to begin a massive clean-up effort to remove debris, drain standing water and begin preparing TPC Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. However, questions remained as to whether the course could be restored to PGA TOUR quality standards in time for the 2006 tournament, and whether the city of New Orleans could adequately repair its infrastructure to provide facilities for a national sports event.
"Given the loss of life and the abundance of human suffering, a golf tournament might seem trivial under the circumstances," said PGA TOUR Senior Vice President of Operations John Hugghins. "However, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans annually contributes $25 million to the local economy and has generated more than $20 million for local charities on behalf of the Fore!Kids Foundation. In addition to this direct economic impact, we felt it was crucial to stage the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in 2006 to show the world that the city was well on its way to recovery, as a way of stimulating economic re-development in the region."
Despite crews working around the clock and support by the state of Louisiana, by November it was clear that TPC Louisiana would not be ready in time. So the 2006 tournament was relocated to English Turn Golf & Country Club, the Zurich Classic's home from 1989 to 2004. To help prepare the course, eight TPC superintendents from across the country relocated to New Orleans to assist the English Turn house and grounds team, while 15 TPC Louisiana employees worked double-time restoring their home course and then traveling to English Turn to help with tournament preparations.
In April 2006, more than 35,000 fans watched as Chris Couch clinched his first PGA TOUR victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at English Turn -- the first professional sporting event to return to the city of New Orleans. On hand were more than 1,000 local tournament volunteers, many of whom had lost their homes and were living in FEMA trailers.
"One thing about New Orleans natives is that we love our city," Gibson said. "The teamwork, dedication and compassion demonstrated by the PGA TOUR, TPC Louisiana employees and the local community, in partnership with the Fore!Kids Foundation and Zurich Financial, was nothing less than phenomenal. I feel very strongly that holding the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in 2006 marked the beginning of the city's road to recovery."
Less than one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, TPC Louisiana's beautiful course opened to the public better than ever before, featuring numerous competitive enhancements that had been planned prior to Katrina. In April 2007, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans returned to TPC Louisiana, and a bit of normalcy returned to the Big Easy.
However, many things will never be the same. Katrina has left an indelible mark on the Gulf Coast, as well as in the hearts and minds of all those affected by it. As players compete in the 2008 tournament, Gibson, a life member who spent 17 years on the PGA TOUR, will be watching from the sidelines.
In 2005, in the weeks following Katrina, he made the difficult decision of putting his career on hold to help rebuild the city of New Orleans and concentrate on philanthropic endeavors that positively impact local residents. He regularly conducts golf clinics for local kids at TPC Louisiana on behalf of The First Tee of New Orleans, serves on the Fore!Kids Foundation Committee, and most recently -- in conjunction with the TOUR's Birdies for the Brave military outreach initiative -- his "Feed The Relief" non-profit donated more than $75,000 to help pay for a wheelchair-accessible home for a Louisiana Marine seriously injured in Iraq.
"When my heart is fully in the game, I hope to return to the PGA TOUR," said Gibson.
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