Desert Mountain Responds To Jack Nicklaus’ Charity Challenge Prestigious Community Supports Frontline Responders, Local Hospitals

Scottsdale, AZ (July 8, 2020) – The legendary Jack Nicklaus has endorsed ClubsHELP,™ a national initiative of golf clubs sourcing and delivering critical resources for frontline hospital workers, emergency services personnel, food banks, and nursing homes in their local communities in the fight against COVID-19. Part of his endorsement included issuing a challenge to Nicklaus Designs across the country to join the ClubsHELP movement. 

Desert Mountain—home to six Nicklaus Signature golf courses—stepped up, exhibiting its generosity and collective energies by providing healthy, balanced meals to three local hospitals:  The Mayo Clinic, HonorHealth, and Banner Health, as well as the first responders of the Scottsdale Police Department and Scottsdale Fire Department. 

The Desert Mountain community has a long history of charitable support, including its own need-based scholarship fund for eligible Desert Mountain employees, their spouses, and dependent children and grandchildren. Additionally, there is a robust annual schedule of fundraising tournaments and other events at the 8,000-acre community.

“The idea to support the greater community was first generated by our members, who consistently and generously help others,” said Damon DiOrio, CEO, Desert Mountain Club.  “And of course, when Mr. Nicklaus added his challenge, Desert Mountain was ready to help.”

Since Nicklaus’ challenge, which aligned with a grass roots member-driven initiative, Desert Mountain raised nearly $60,000 over the course of eight weeks to supply 3,550 meals to employees and their families, hospital staff and frontline responders.

This show of local support is the essence of ClubsHELP, a 501(c)3 foundation, which has grown from one club’s desire to make a difference in its community to a national movement. In fact, due to overwhelming support of clubs and their members around the country, the mission has expanded beyond the support of Covid-19 frontline workers to include food banks, emergency services, and nursing homes—wherever needs are the greatest. Following its mantra—”Unite Nationally, Care Locally”—ClubsHELP is now nearly 400 clubs strong and growing.

For additional information about the community, access the web site at www.desertmountain.com. To learn more about ClubsHELP, access the web site www.clubshelp.org.