The Foundation

The Heart Behind the Cup

Learn more about the mission, structure, and values that power the Pryder Cup Foundation.

2025 Pryder Cup Purpose: Playing for Emily

At the heart of the 2025 Pryder Cup is a young girl named Emily Fisher, whose strength, laughter, and compassion inspired everyone she met.

Diagnosed at just 4 years old with a rare autoimmune disease called APS1, Emily spent much of her young life in hospitals — places where smiles can be hard to come by. But Emily? She brought her own.

Tired of uncomfortable hospital-issued socks, and always thinking of others, Emily turned her experience into something beautiful. At age 10, she launched Emily’s Happy Feet—a foundation dedicated to delivering cozy, colorful slippers and heartfelt joy to kids facing medical challenges.

“I know no one likes those socks,” she once said. “And I like to make other kids smile.”

From pig-shaped slippers to her personal favorites—Minions from Despicable Me—Emily’s energy was infectious. Alongside her family, she traveled hospital to hospital with 100+ slippers at a time, spreading comfort across the country. And when she couldn’t go herself, her “Happy Feet Helpers” picked up where she left off.

To date, over 8,000 slippers have been delivered—and her dream of reaching children in every state continues.

Emily passed peacefully in early 2025 — just shy of her 23rd birthday — surrounded by the family who helped her live out her purpose.

Let’s carry her legacy forward —one step and one smile at a time.

Our Impact

Since the inception of the Pryder Cup in 2017 and the formal launch of the Foundation in 2024, we have been dedicated to making a meaningful impact. From our humble beginnings to becoming a powerful force for good, we continue to unite golfers, volunteers, and supporters in creating lasting change and providing hope to those in need.

Raised

Funds Distributed

Participants

Beneficiaries Helped

This year’s Pryder Cup was more than just a golf tournament – it was a powerful testament to the strength of our community, the depth of our compassion, and the incredible impact we can make when we come together for a cause greater than ourselves.

This year, with 44 golfers, 5 dedicated volunteers, and countless supporters, we were able to raise $14,000 to support a cause that is close to our hearts. These funds will help individuals at Gabba Camp who face significant challenges every day, giving them access to experiences and opportunities that are often out of reach. It’s a reminder that through sports, friendship, and a shared sense of purpose, we can change lives and uplift those who need it most.

In the spirit of friendly competition, Team USA soared to victory against the Swedish Vikings with a commanding 13-9 win, closing the gap in the overall series. But beyond the scores and rivalries, it’s the unity, generosity, and heart of every participant and supporter that makes us all winners.

The 7th Annual Pryder Cup was defined by more than competition — it was a testament to unity, remembrance, and the strength of a community standing together through tragedy.

The Pryder Cup family came together to honor Brian Costantini, a remarkable man who lost his life in a tragic golf accident over Memorial Day weekend of that year. Brian was more than just a passionate golfer — he was a dedicated husband, a devoted friend, and a philanthropist whose selfless spirit touched countless lives. From his involvement in the Ludban Golf Outing supporting cancer-impacted families, to his role in creating awards for a fundraiser benefiting victims of the East Palestine train disaster, Brian’s generosity left a legacy that continues to inspire.

With the heartfelt efforts of 36 participants, the 2023 Pryder Cup raised a record-breaking $13,000 in support of Brian’s wife, Katie, and their family. The funds will not only help ease their immediate burden, but also lay the groundwork for a memorial scholarship in Brian’s name — ensuring his spirit of compassion carries on for generations to come.

On the course, Team Scotland delivered a dominant 12.5 to 5.5 win over Team USA. But beyond the scorecard, the real victory was the outpouring of love, support, and purpose shared by all who took part.

Thank you to every golfer, donor, and supporter who made 2023 so impactful. In a year that reminded us how fragile life can be, the Pryder Cup proved once again that the bonds we build — and the good we do — will always endure.

Supporting Brian's Family and His Legacy

The 6th Annual Pryder Cup marked a profound shift — a year where the game itself took a backseat to something far more meaningful.

This wasn’t just about golf. It was about love, loss, and the power of community.

Because 36 friends, family members, and golfers came together, we were able to raise an incredible $10,000 — shattering every previous fundraising record — to support a family very close to our hearts.

In October 2021, our dear friend Mike Alexander was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Though the kidney was removed immediately, the cancer metastasized within months — spreading to his lungs and brain. After enduring radiation, immunotherapy, and unimaginable emotional highs and lows, Mike received the heartbreaking news that his condition was terminal. Just five months later, on June 1, 2022, Mike passed away at the age of 44.

Mike was more than a friend. He was part of our family — the kind of person who lit up a room, lifted others up, and left a mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. That year’s Pryder Cup was dedicated to honoring his memory and helping his beloved wife Gina, and their two children, Gianna (8) and Mikey (6).

Though Team International (Jamaica) claimed the Cup with a 10.5 to 7.5 victory, every participant, donor, and supporter that year was a winner in the truest sense. 2022 reminded us what the Pryder Cup is really about — showing up for each other, giving selflessly, and turning grief into generosity.

The 5th Annual Pryder Cup brought drama, heart, and history. In one of the closest battles in recent years, Team USA reclaimed the Cup with a 9–7 victory, bringing the all-time series to 3-2 International.

But this year was about more than just the scoreboard — it was a celebration of firsts.

From Jason Pridon’s unforgettable hole-in-one on the 190-yard 17th (even if it didn’t win him the match) and a record-breaking field of 32 golfers, 2021 felt like a turning point. Together, that expanded community helped us cross the $1,000 donation milestone for the first time — a meaningful benchmark in the growth of the Pryder Cup’s impact.

That year’s donation went to the Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation — a Northeast Ohio-based nonprofit dedicated to accelerating research and finding a cure for Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), a rare and aggressive pediatric brain tumor. Founded in memory of Melina Edenfield, a vibrant 4-year-old who tragically lost her life just 32 days after diagnosis, the foundation works tirelessly to give families hope where currently very few options exist.

The 2021 Pryder Cup reminded us all why we play — not just for pride and tradition, but for purpose and people.

The 4th Annual Pryder Cup was a tournament to remember — filled with energy, camaraderie, and a strong sense of purpose. With Team International securing a 9–5 victory, making the overall series at 3–1. Special thanks went to our dedicated captains, Tommy Johnson and David Stanton, who helped rally both teams through an unforgettable weekend of competition.

But like every year, this year’s Pryder Cup was about pushing forward a greater cause.

Thanks to 26 passionate golfers and the generous spirit of the community, $700 was raised for Pelotonia — an organization that has redefined cancer research fundraising in Ohio and beyond. Pelotonia operates on a powerful model: 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to innovative cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at Ohio State.

By supporting Pelotonia, the 2020 Pryder Cup contributed to bold ideas, breakthrough treatments, and the shared belief that we can end cancer. In a year filled with challenges, this effort served as a meaningful reminder that even during difficult times, hope — and generosity — moves us forward.

The 3rd Annual Pryder Cup was one to remember. Over the course of 36 competitive holes Team USA finally broke through, claiming the Cup for the first time in tournament history.

But it wasn’t just a win on the course — it was a victory for something much bigger.

That year, 26 participants came together to raise $650 in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation — the leading nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to brain aneurysm awareness, education, and research.

The donation helped support the foundation’s vital work in promoting early detection and prevention by educating the public on the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of brain aneurysms — a condition that can strike without warning but is often survivable with early intervention.

By choosing this cause, the 2019 Pryder Cup reminded us all that having fun can still save lives — and that every swing and laugh shared along the way can create ripples of real change.

The 2nd Annual Pryder Cup delivered everything you’d hope for in a spirited competition: 36 holes of back-and-forth momentum, a sudden-death playoff, and even a chip-off to decide the winner. In the end, the International Team held onto the Cup.

But behind the lighthearted chaos was something far more meaningful.

Thanks to 20 passionate golfers and two incredible cart girl/photographers, the 2018 Pryder Cup raised $500 — donated on behalf of the winning team to Flying Horse Farms.

Located in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, Flying Horse Farms is a medical specialty camp that provides transformative experiences to children with serious illnesses and their families. These aren’t just summer getaways — they’re carefully crafted, medically safe opportunities for kids to experience friendship, adventure, and the simple joys of childhood, all at no cost to their families.

The camp is part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network and serves thousands of children each year who are facing conditions such as cancer, congenital heart disease, and immune disorders.

2018 proved that even a group of weekend warriors with golf bags and good intentions could come together and do something lasting — something that reached far beyond the final scorecard.

The inaugural Pryder Cup brought together a spirited group of golfers who showed up not only to compete — but to give back. In a fun-filled weekend marked by close competition and laughter, the International Team took home the first-ever Cup with a score of 8.5 to 3.5.

But the real victory came off the course.

That year, a $450 donation was made to the SeriousFun Children’s Network — a global community of camps and programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families. Founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, SeriousFun offers transformative, medically safe camp experiences — always free of charge — to kids who need a place to just be kids again.

For many of these children, it’s the first time they feel truly included, empowered, and unburdened by the weight of their conditions. To support this kind of healing through joy was the perfect way to kick off what would become a lasting tradition.

What started as a friendly match among friends planted the seed for what would become something far greater: a tradition rooted in camaraderie, generosity, and purpose.

Our Legal Status

Our Team

Our Board of Directors, along with countless volunteers and participants, are the driving force behind our mission. While every individual involved plays a crucial role, it’s our dedicated Board that works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every event and initiative runs smoothly, creating lasting change in the community.

Josh Pridon
Founder & President

Jamie Stephens
Vice President

Cody Butler
Fundraising Director

Paul Gagne
Treasurer

Heather Gagne
Secretary

Make a Difference Today. Secure Your 2025 Sponsor.

Your support helps us bring hope and relief to families in need. Together, we can make a lasting impact. Donate today to secure your sponsorship. Soon we will share the story of this year’s beneficiary. Your generosity fuels meaningful change.