Waldbrand easier in the heart of the LPGA event from LPGA

IIn January, massive forest fires in Los Angeles devastated sections of the city and its surroundings, destroyed thousands of houses and companies and force hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. Some lost their lives. Mo Martin, born in the area and British Open Champion for women in 2014, lost her house in childhood in Altadena.

“National news has moved on, but the reconstruction did not make it,” said Martin recently. “We still have so much ahead of ourselves and many fire sacrifices and also the families of the people who have lost their lives. There are still many emotions that are still to be processed.”

This week the JM Eagle La Championship of the LPGA presented by Plastpro has its eyes on La Fire Relief efforts. From today in the El Caballero Country Club, the tournament is the only PGA tour or LPGA event in Los Angeles this year after the men’s circle moved the Genesis Invitational to the San Diego area. A large part of the reason why the LPGA event in LA: JM Eagle and Plastpro founder and philanthropist Walter and Shirley Wang remains. For this year’s championship, the Wangs have promised the efforts of La Fire Relief at least 6.5 million US dollars.

“It goes back to something my mother (Shirley) always says: Success is just as good as the good thing that creates it,” said Walter Wang Jr., Walter and Shirley’s son. “We have so many roots here in LA that we know so many people, employees and friends. In this case we have to stand on the plate.”

While Walter and Shirley were not born in California, they have deep connections to the state. Walter visited the University of California in Berkeley and Shirley visited the UCLA. They moved to LA two decades ago and began their philanthropic efforts, including the JM Eagle La Championship for the first event of the regular season with a $ 3 million money exchange in 2023.

“We are really Angelenos,” said Walter. “We are very part of the community. I very much believe that if you are part of a community, if the time is right if you can offer a helping hand, you have to.”

Walter Jr. says he knows many people who have lost their houses in the fires, including a friend of the seventh grade with whom he played football. Many JM Eagle employees also lost their houses and were looking for protection in the company office building near the international airport Los Angeles.

“They literally stayed in our office because they were nowhere else to go,” said Walter JR ..

Caroline Canales, a resident based in Calabasas, will make her professional debut at the tournament. She received a status on the development epson tour for this season and recently ended T30 at the Augusta National Women’s amateur.

Canales ends her end to the UCLA, where it was when the fire broke out. Fortunately, her house survived, but some houses of her friends and the hairdressing salon of her uncle in the palisades were not so lucky.

“I think everyone in LA has experienced a loss in one way or another, regardless of whether they were directly affected or not,” said Canales. “I think the whole city has felt it in the past few months, so I’m very grateful for all Wangs.”

“We don’t tell anyone that we need help. But we do it, and because of their efforts, they really helped change the life of our firefighters and their family.” – Chris Stine

Martin’s mother and brother still lived in her house when she had to evacuate to Martin’s house in Redondo Beach. They came with their four dogs and some other objects that they could pack. However, something was missing.

“I unpacked salami and cheese and I looked at (my mother) and said you brought salami and cheese with you, but you didn’t get my (British open) trophy,” said Martin.

While she is not on the field this year, Martin is grateful for what the Wangs do for the La community. During a tournament press conference on March 31, she thanked them directly.

“Walter and Shirley, they saw how dark these days were, how much smoke there was, how much damage,” said Martin. “Very, very scary times. So thank you from the heart for my family still have my family with me and for everything you did.”

At the same press conference, Chris Stine, President of Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association. The association supports active and retired firefighters and their families. Many of these first aiders lost their houses during the fires, and Stine says that he was grateful for the non -profit donations of the Wangs to the firefighters, even if they sometimes have problems asking for help.

“We never say to anyone that we need help,” said Stine. “But we do it, and because of their efforts, they really helped change the life of our firefighters and their family.”

There will be a free admission to the tournament for everyone affected by the fires of Eaton and Palisades, including first aiders. First aiders and military also have a VIP hospitality area on the 14th T -shirt.

In addition to the Wangs and first aiders, LPGA players make their contribution to auxiliary measures. Hannah Green, the defending champion, promised 500 US dollars for each birdie 500 US dollars. If she makes an eagle, she donates $ 1,000.

“California was a special place for me,” said Green. “I just want to give something back in any way.”

“This will be a multi -year project for reconstruction, and people have to be reminded that it is not over yet.” – Walter Wang Jr.

The feeling rings for Canales.

“It is really exciting to be part of something that really contributes to the aid measures in such a great way,” said Canales. “I would be so excited to play in every LPGA event as my professional debut, but also play for something bigger, it makes it even more special.”

The JM Eagle La Championship and the associated donations will certainly affect the community. However, both the players and the Wangs emphasize that more needs to be done.

“This will be a multi -year project for reconstruction, and people have to be reminded that it is not over yet,” said Walter Jr. “It’s just the beginning.”

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