Watson, Ping make big donation to PCH
Dec 20, 2012, 1:44 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm
PHOENIX — One of America’s top pro golfers is stepping up to help Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
While helping children with their skills on a putting green inside Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Thursday, Bubba Watson joined Ping in presenting a $250,000 check to the hospital. The money will be used to build a new orthopedic gait lab.
Watson said a lot of kids will be helped.
“[Doctors can] watch them on a computer screen…and see how they walk and different things, to pick certain joints which really cause the kids problems,” he said. “They can see it through computers at this lab and help fix the problem.”
The 2,800-square-foot lab will help kids with neuromuscular diseases and disabilities. Watson said it was a great opportunity for him to help others.
“I play golf for a living, but I get to give back and be part of a hospital like this, give back to a community like this, hopefully impact some kids in the right way and do some positive things,” he said.
Watson lives in the Valley and recently adopted a child. He fought through tears as he talked about helping PCH.
“To have my name associated with this hospital….it’s an honor,” he said. “And so, I thank you very much.”
The money was raised through the sale of 5,000 Ping Pink G-20 drivers, much like the one Watson used to win the Master’s Championship.
After the press conference, Watson donated $110,000 of his own money, meaning PCH now has the necessary $1 million to build the lab. The hospital did not say where the other $640,000 came from.
