PGA Tour players unveil “Birdies for Augusta” after hurricane damage

This week, at the PGA Tour’s Sanderson Farms Championship, defending champion Luke List announced that he and Henrik Norlander created a way to help their local Hurricane Helene victims.

They will participate in the “Birdies for Augusta” initiative to bring attention and raise money for the victims as they call Augusta, Georgia, home.

It was one of the many areas that suffered significant damage from the Category 4 hurricane that made landfall last Thursday.

The duo will donate $500 to their local Red Cross for every birdie they make.

“I think we were on the same page as far as we need to give back in any way we can,” List said on Tuesday.

“We had dinner last night with our families and just came up with it together. I think it was something we both had in our hearts that we wanted to help support in Augusta, and this is the best way we know how right now.”

Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The storm caused devastation across six states, with at least 182 deaths reported, per CNN.

List opened up about this past week and what it was like seeing his community suffer so much damage.

“It’s pretty devastating to not only see it but experience it, a place you call home,” he said.

“It’s sad. It was a long weekend. We got out of town a little early to keep the family safe, and there’s still no power and water in many areas.”

Before he and his family came to Jackson, Mississippi, for the tournament, List detailed how his community came together to start the cleanup process.

“Everyone is dealing with that in their own right. It was great to see everybody come together, but in a sense, it almost felt like that’s what you have to do in that moment. We’re very fortunate to have been able to get out when we did.”

The Georgia resident is not the only golfer or course dealing with Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. Augusta National suffered damage, but the full extent is still unknown.

John Daly announced on Wednesday that he had lost his house in Clearwater, Fla., due to the storm.

List and Norlander came together to raise money through the sport they play for a living.

Hopefully, they will make a lot of birdies for their hometown so they can make a significant donation.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.