Leishman returns to host charity tourney at VB National
Virginia Beach resident Marc Leishman, an Australian native who is 46th in the World Golf Ranking and has been as high as 12th, is back in town for a charitable cause that’s deeply personal.
Leishman and his wife, Audrey, are hosting a celebrity fundraiser for the Begin Again Foundation, which they started in 2016. It works to save lives through education and awareness about sepsis (blood poisoning) and toxic shock syndrome to provide financial assistance to survivors and families and support communities during times of crisis.
Audrey Leishman survived a nearly fatal ordeal with sepsis in April 2015, and she and Marc are determined to help others who were in similar trouble to what they faced seven years ago.
Their event is called the Birdies & Beers Golf Tournament. From 5-9 p.m. today, the Tee Party Gala is set for the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Singer/songwriter George Birge will conduct a concert at 8 p.m. Then Monday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the golf tournament will be held at Virginia Beach National.
Among the notable names scheduled to appear along with Leishman: Hall of Fame defensive lineman/area businessman Bruce Smith, former baseball star Michael Cuddyer and golf standouts present and past. They include Cam Smith, Ian Baker-Finch, Steve Elkington, Hally Leadbetter, Lanto Griffin, Greg Chalmers and Rod Pampling.
It’s rather fitting that the Leishmans raise money via beer sales, such as the Leishman Lager, which Marc created in 2016. Their relationship began over beers at the Green Leafe Café, a bar in Williamsburg.
Here’s a toast to those two.
Pinder’s rare feat
Wednesday night in a Bay Area rivalry game in San Francisco, Poquoson native Chad Pinder began the game with a home run for the Oakland Athletics.
It ended up being the only scoring in a 1-0 victory by Oakland over the Giants. Reportedly, it was the only time in A’s history and the 27th time in Major League Baseball history that a leadoff homer was the only run in a 1-0 game.
One fan mentioned he was surprised it was an A’s first, given how Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson often led off for Oakland.
Pinder came off the COVID-19 injured list before the contest and sent Sam Long’s sixth pitch into the seats in left field.