- FedExCup Points: 50,000
- Purse: $7.0 million
- Winning Share: $1,260,000
- Yards: 6,839
ATLANTA -- Nearly 30 of the top PGA TOUR players will be wearing royal blue alligator belts at The Barclays in support of Ian's Friends Foundation (IFF), a non-profit organization committed to raising funds to support pediatric brain tumor research.
Fans and supporters will be able to purchase these same belts after the event, with all profits of the sale benefiting the foundation.
The select group of golf professionals will sport custom, royal-blue alligator belts and buckles, designed by the House of Fleming ( http://houseoffleming.com ) and Bettinardi Golf ( www.bettinardigolf.com ), to raise awareness about pediatric brain tumors and fund research to find a cure. In addition, world-renown watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet ( www.audemarspiguet.com ) joined the fight as IFF's newest sponsor.
The custom belts will be sold for $1,000 each and can be purchased online at www.iansfriendsfoundation.com or by calling the House of Fleming at 1-888-233-5657 to place an order. Individuals who purchase a belt will receive a $650 tax deduction.
"Pediatric brain tumor research is an overlooked area of medicine today," said Phil Yagoda, co-founder of Ian's Friends Foundation. "Right now, there is little research being done, and there is a lack of funding. We need to bring awareness and funds to a cause that affects not only my son but thousands of children around the world."
Cancer is the second most frequent cause of childhood death after accidental causes; and brain tumors are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Pediatric brain tumors typically affect children's physical and cognitive abilities because of their location in the brain.
Phil and Cheryl Yagoda, co-founders of the organization, created and named IFF for their 3-year-old son Ian, after he was diagnosed with a Type 2 Astrocytoma tumor in his brain stem. As Ian's tumor is inoperable, there is little known treatment except to monitor the tumor's growth regularly.
"After our son's diagnosis, we were astonished to learn little public money was dedicated to research in this area of medicine, and we decided to make fighting this disease our priority, not just for the benefit of our son, but the thousands of children across the globe enduring the battle everyday," said Yagoda.
