We take immense pride in our commitment to making a positive impact on children's lives. Through our steadfast support of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus' Play Yellow initiative, we stand united in the mission to bring hope and healing to children in local children's hospitals, including the Janet Weis Children's Hospital. By participating in the NEPA Invitational, you are not only engaging in a premier Pro-Am golf tournament but also contributing to a cause that directly benefits the well-being of children in our community. Join us in supporting Play Yellow, and let's make a difference together on and off the golf course.
Brandon Matthews Named 2023 Play Yellow Ambassador of The Year
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, together with the PGA TOUR and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, are proud to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Play Yellow, a program dedicated to supporting pediatric patients treated at member hospitals.
Play Yellow, a heartfelt initiative close to the Nicklaus’s hearts, traces its origins back to a young man and friend of the Nicklaus family, Craig Smith, who was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, Ewing Sarcoma, in 1968. This program is a tribute to Craig, who had a penchant for wearing a lucky yellow shirt to cheer on Jack when he was competing, and his remarkable friendship with golf’s greatest champion.
The 5th-anniversary celebration of Play Yellow took place earlier this week at the annual Play Yellow Invitational in West Palm Beach, FL, from October 15 to 17, 2023. The event was a testament to the enduring legacy of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’s commitment to children’s hospitals, with the aim of helping the 12 million children treated at local member hospitals each year.
At the 2023 event, celebrating the spirit of giving back and championing the cause of children’s hospitals, professional golfer Brandon Matthews was honored with the prestigious Play Yellow Ambassador of the Year award.
Matthews has a strong affinity for children’s hospitals and the impact they have on local communities. His annual Play Yellow golf tournament, the NEPA Invitational, supports the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, a member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 2021, the event has distributed over $350,000 to benefit the hospital and provide care for kids across Northeast Pennsylvania, where Matthews was born and raised.
“I’m truly honored to be an ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Play Yellow campaign. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of our fundraising efforts on kids and their communities,” Matthews said. “I am just so thankful to have the opportunity to be involved with Mr. and Mrs. Nicklaus, and playing a small part in a very important endeavor.”
