DURHAM, N.C. – As both of the Duke men’s and women’s golf programs get set to open their respective 2024-25 seasons, the Blue Devils are excited to start the eighth season of the Birdies for Babies program, which benefits the Duke Children’s Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units.
Over the seven years of the program, which was created by former women’s golf national champion Virginia Elena Carta, the Blue Devils have raised $124,333.80. With the Blue Devils reaching the $100,000-mark in November of 2022, Duke Children’s dedicated a room in the hospital’s intensive care nursery for the Birdies for Babies program.
“We are so grateful to and proud of the student-athletes on the men’s and women’s golf teams for the Birdies for Babies program,” said Dr. Ann M. Reed, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of Duke Children’s. “Birdies for Babies was our first student-led partnership with Duke Athletics and now, as the eighth season launches, the program has inspired many other student-athletes to find ways to help Duke Children’s. Beyond supporting the kids in the Duke Children’s NICU and PICU, it is this legacy that truly sets Birdies for Babies apart. Thank you to everyone in the Birdies for Babies family, we can’t wait to see what this new season brings.”
If you are interested in supporting Duke’s partnership with Duke Children’s, you can pledge for each birdie made during the season or make a one-time donation. Pledges start at $0.50 and higher increments are welcome. If the Blue Devils register an eagle (counts as two birdies), albatross (three birdies) or hole-in-one (four birdies), they will count as stated.
“It is great going to visit the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Duke Children’s Hospital,” said Duke women’s golf junior Andie Smith. “We get to see what the doctors and nurses there do to help these families in need and give their children second chances. We are just happy to be a part of that process and watch these families grow and be healthy again.”
The creation of the Birdies for Babies program was spearheaded by Carta. A native of Udine, Italy, Carta was a four-time All-ACC selection and the 2016 NCAA Individual Champion. The 2016 WGCA All-America and Honda Award winner turned in an NCAA-record 16-under-par…
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