When Rod Pampling first came to the United States to play on the Nationwide Tour in 2000, he and his wife, Angela, looked long and hard for a place to settle.

Many of the other Aussies made their homes in places like Arizona and Florida. The Pamplings, though, kept coming back – literally, as well as figuratively -- to the Dallas suburb of Flower Mound where Phil and Melanie Tataurangi lived.

The rare week off from competition often saw the Pamplings there, visiting their Kiwi friends. Flower Mound proved to be a convenient stopping off point, too, on all those cross-country trips as the couple drove from tournament to tournament.

Eventually, there was no decision to be made.

“Something about Flower Mound just felt like home,” said Angela Pampling, who is expecting the couple's second child in the next few weeks. “Texas people are like Australians. They are laid back and very accepting.”

The Pamplings bought the second house built in Bridlewood Estates, then went back Down Under for the Australasian Tour season. When they returned to the United States that February, a dozen more homes had sprung up in the golf course community.

Over the years, holiday get-togethers and cookouts have drawn the neighbors closer together. That’s how the Pamplings first got to know Dave and Kim Andersen, and their daughter, Megan.

Megan Andersen has Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease characterized by abnormally thick mucus in the lungs that can impair breathing and lead to potentially fatal infections. Six years ago, her father started a golf tournament to raise money for research into a cure.

The Andersens have since moved to Denver, where the air quality was better for Megan. Dave Andersen still makes frequent visits to the Dallas area on business, though – and, of course, to Flower Mound for the golf tournament.

Three years ago, Dave Andersen asked Rod if he would lend his name to the tournament. The affable Aussie, a two-time PGA TOUR winner, was only too happy for the chance to help the community and a group of friends his wife says are more like relatives.

“That’s the thing – coming from Australia, it was hard to find place that we could actually call home,” Rod said. “It’s been a great fit into the community. They have made us feel like we are at home. This is so fantastic, and the tournament is a great way give back.”

Rod Pampling is a two-time PGA TOUR champion. (Feldman/WireImage)

The Rod Pampling Golf Classic benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be held on Friday, Oct. 20 at Bridlewood Golf Club. Entry fee is $200 while various levels of sponsorship can be purchased for $2,000, $1,000 and $250.

Pampling, who won the Bay Hill Invitational earlier this year, will be stationed at one of the par 3s and he’ll play the hole with each group. A year ago, someone in the last foursome of the day made a hole-in-one and won a Hummer.

Chad Campbell, a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, will also be on hand. More than likely, the big-hitting Texan will be headquartered on one of the par 5s where he can unleash his driver as each group plays through and coax them into trying to beat the pro.

Other area TOUR pros are collecting memorabilia for the silent auction. Recent John Deere Classic champ John Senden, an Aussie who lives five houses from the Pamplings, is donating an autographed limited edition Cleveland carry bag. Ryan Palmer is working with his friends in the Dallas Cowboys organization to add to the loot.

Stephen Ames donated a signed PLAYERS Championship pin flag. There’s also a British Open pin flag signed by more about 60 TOUR pros. In addition, four flags signed by the major champions will be put on e-Bay in a separate auction.

“We’re really trying to make it bigger and better,” Rod said. “This year it’s a lot more intense. We’re really tried to step it up. As long as we keep improving every year, we’re on the right track.”

For more information on the Rod Pampling Golf Classic, you can visit www.golf4cf.org or call 214-871-2222.