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Andy Girard ’00 |
Andy Girard ’00
wanted to get out of the sand trap and onto the green.
And he has, in a big way, by planning a golf-filled
summer that will see him playing courses in 48 states
in only two months for charity. That is, in essence,
what the “Summer
of Andy — Fight Against Breast Cancer Tour”
is all about.
Girard had no real plan for the summer. After three
and a half years of working for WebMD in New York City,
he left that job and returned to his hometown of Jeffersonville
to spend the summer with family and figure out what
to do next.
His brother-in-law suggested playing golf in every state
in only one month’s time. After a few weeks of
planning, Girard knew exactly what he was going to do
with his summer: make it his own (yes, a “Seinfeld”
homage indeed, Girard said, referencing the hit show
by Jerry Seinfeld, an Oswego student in the 1970s.)
But Girard took it a step further: Instead of simply
going out and playing a game he loves all over the country
for no reason other than enjoyment, he decided to raise
money for an important charity at the same time.
Playing for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
was something that Girard wanted to do after his grandmother
battled the disease and passed away from it last year.
Although he wanted to participate in events benefiting
the fight against the cancer in the past, he hadn’t
yet gotten a chance.
“I always kind of wanted to do something,”
Girard said. “But I was always in the wrong place
at the wrong time.”
Then, with his very own plan to raise money for NBCF,
Girard hit the road. He set up a Web site and a unique
donation system. Donors can give money by state, by
hole, by mulligan or by par, with no set minimum.
And how has he done so far? With 35 courses played (out
of 48) at press time, Girard has raised over $5,300.
Although his ultimate goal is to raise $10,000, he has
met his personal goal of $5,000.
As well as enjoying playing golf, Girard has also been
enjoying the response he’s gotten from people
about what he is doing.
“I’ve had a lot of support from friends
and family, but also from people I’ve met on the
road,” Girard said.
While on tour, Girard has stayed in hotels and camped,
but has also visited with friends along the way.
Girard has the full support of NBCF. While in Dallas,
Texas, he toured their headquarters.
He gets many e-mails through his Web site, which he
maintains and updates daily.
Girard said he hasn’t had many bad days on the
tour (“Knock on wood.”) With the exception
of two or three days the weather has been great, he
hasn’t had any car trouble, and not much else
has gone wrong.
It didn’t sound like Girard had too many bad days
when he went to Oswego State either, where he majored
in theatre and broadcasting.
Between being a member of the Shaun Cassidy Fan Club
and participating in many theatre productions, as well
as being a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre fraternity,
Girard said he had a wonderful time at Oswego State
and is still reaping the benefits.
“I met so many great people and developed such
close relationships with my theatre professors,”
Girard said.
Girard still sees these people from time to time at
theatre alumni reunions in New York City.
Girard has fond memories of long rehearsals and trips
with friends during breaks, as well as his favorite
play, “Comedy of Errors,” directed by Theatre
Department Chair Mark Cole ’73.
Will he have fond memories of his golf tour, though?
It sounds like it.
“It’s definitely been a great experience,”
Girard said. |
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