“Bagpipes & Blues” Attendees to Challenge PGA Pro Chip Beck on Specially-Produced Southwest Greens Putting Green 

KENNESAW, GA (Sept. 25, 2012) – A state-of-the-art Southwest Greens putting green provided by Southwest Greens Chicago will be installed for an anticipated 2,000 VIP guests to have the rare opportunity to putt against PGA Pro Chip Beck at the Magnificent Moments fundraiser “Bagpipes & Blues” at Chicago’s legendary Field Museum.

The Magnificent Moments campaign helps kids and families through both Ronald McDonald House Charities®  of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) and the Illinois PGA to celebrate the Ryder Cup kicking off in Chicago Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.

“Bagpipes & Blues” is the official Pep Rally for United States and European fans on the evening before the Ryder Cup Matches begin. In addition to a premium bar, elegant strolling food stations, parking and the sounds of Chicago Blues music and Scottish Bagpipes, guests will have the opportunity to putt against PGA legend Chip Beck, one of only five golfers in PGA Tour history to score 59 in an 18-hole tournament. Guests will also meet former WPGA Pro Dottie Pepper and the first 50 guests to score a hole-in-one will receive a signed copy of her latest book, “Bogey Tees Off (Vol 1. – A Lesson About Being Truthful).”

“We’re honored and humbled to be able to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities in this important local event,” said President, Southwest Greens International, Kyle Ehman. “To install the first-ever putting green in Chicago’s iconic Field Museum is also a thrill.”

Southwest Greens International provides synthetic putting greens that are low maintenance, longer-bladed and that exhibit natural ball roll and ball speed control. Leading the industry in both technology and installations, Southwest Greens’ synthetic putting greens exhibit a lifelike quality with natural appearance and playability and continue to be recognized by amateur and professional golfers alike. For more information on Southwest Greens, visit their websites at: www.southwestgreens.com, www.southwestgreens.co.uk and the Southwest Greens Facebook page.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC^®-CNI):

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC^®-CNI) is to improve the health, well-being and education of children through our four core programs:

• Our 4 Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home away from home” to keep families close while their children are being treated at a nearby hospital.
• Our Ronald McDonald Family Room program provides hospitality in the heart of Edward Hospital.
• Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, in partnership with Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, provides essential health services to children in underserved areas in a mobile environment.
• Our Scholarship Program provides $4,000/year renewable scholarships to academically outstanding, community-minded and economically challenged young people.

For more information visit RonaldHouseChicago.org.

About the Illinois PGA Foundation
The Illinois PGA Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Illinois Section of The PGA of America, a working association of 850 dedicated golf professionals in Illinois who make golf their vocation and giving back their passion.  These men and women understand the critical difference golf can make in the lives of children by sharing the inherent values of honesty, integrity, and confidence, and encouraging sound physical fitness.  Their Foundation promotes this goodwill of the game with an emphasis on activities that benefit youth through education and recreation.  To learn more, visit www.IPGA.com/Foundation.

About Southwest Greens:

Southwest Greens International (SWGI) was founded in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 1996. Today, the company is a multi-million dollar network of more than 90 franchise operations worldwide and is considered the global leader in designing and installing state-of-the-art synthetic turf projects (both Golf and Grass) for residential and commercial use. Recently acquired by Shaw Industries, SWGI’s corporate headquarters now operates out of Kennesaw, Ga.

SWGI’s product is the preferred putting surface for more than 35 professional golfers on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, including Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersenas well as avid amateur golfers. SWGI was selected by Nicklaus Design ® in 2004 to produce premium synthetic golf greens for residential customers.

Southwest Greens’ business mix includes the following products:

Headquartered in the United States in Dalton, Ga., Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider with more than $4 billion in annual sales and 25,000 associates worldwide. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Shaw is a full flooring provider to the residential and commercial markets. Shaw supplies carpet, rugs, hardwood, laminate, resilient, and tile/ stone flooring products, as well as synthetic turf. As a leader in the synthetic turf sports field market, Shaw Sports Turf has more than 1,000 fields in play.

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Artist Steven Lopez shows us how he created “It’s Good to be Rickie”, his contribution to Tartan Art, and sponsored by Crowne Plaza Hotels.  Click here to view the video!

LEROY NEIMAN, MICHAEL JORDAN AND RYDER CUP TEAM GOLF BALLS

AUCTIONED FOR MAGNIFICENT MOMENTS CHARITIES

Online Auction Features 5 Custom-Designed and Autographed ‘Tartan Art on the Avenue’ Golf Balls

OAK BROOK, Ill. (September 21, 2012) – Magnificent Moments, an officially sanctioned charitable fundraising campaign for the 39th Ryder Cup, announced today that five of the premier golf balls from the campaign’s “Tartan Art on the Avenue” public art exhibit will be auctioned  to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) and The Illinois PGA Foundation.

The online-eBay auction will begin on Monday, September 24, and conclude at 6 p.m. CDT on Monday, October 1.  Auction information is available at www.ebay.com/magnificentmoments.

“’Tartan Art on the Avenue’ has provided a wonderful exhibit for the people of Chicago and throughout the world to join in on the celebration of the most prestigious events in golf,” said Doug Porter, CEO of RMHC-CNI. “We are honored to have this unique collection of golf balls supported by many of Chicago’s corporations, professional sports teams, celebrities, athletes and artists. The auction of these one-of-a-kind works of art will raise awareness and important funds for the ongoing works of these two great charities.

The five golf balls include the last piece of work created by legendary artist LeRoy Neiman before he passed away in June 2012. Neiman’s golf ball will be signed by U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III, European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal and each of the 12 players on the 2012 U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams. The golf ball is described as an ode to one of Neiman’s heroes, abstract impressionist Jackson Pollock, and was created by Neiman in his capacity as the chairman of the “Tartan Art on the Avenue”  exhibit. The ball memorializes Neiman’s vibrantly colored, stunningly energetic images of sporting events and leisure activities.

The other four golf balls for auction are as follows:

• A golf ball featuring Chicago sports icon and Basketball  Hall of Fame member Michael Jordan’s famed “Jumpman” logo, painted by Chicago artist Ron Jelinek and autographed by Jordan.
• A golf ball titled “European Stars Over Chicago” presented by European Ryder Cup team member Luke Donald, who partnered with fellow Northwestern University graduate Morgan Krehbiel; the ball is signed by European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal and each member of the 2012 European Ryder Cup team.
• A European Ryder Cup team golf ball inspired by Olazábal, painted by Chicago artist Susan Kissinger and signed by all 2012 European Ryder Cup team members.
• A “Chronology of Love” ball, depicting the inspirations of United States Captain Davis Love III; Love collaborated with Chicago artist Annamarie Buchanan for this U.S. Ryder Cup team golf ball.

In addition to the “Tartan Art on the Avenue” exhibit, the Magnificent Moments campaign will be hosting the “Bagpipes & Blues” International Pep Rally event on September 27, the eve of the opening day of Ryder Cup match play. Blending the cultures of Europe and Chicago, this event at the Field Museum will provide a spectacular evening set against Chicago’s stunning skyline, allowing attendees the opportunity to indulge in elegant dishes celebrating the Ryder Cup and Chicago culinary favorites, while enjoying music ranging from Chicago Blues to Scottish bagpipes. A premium bar and a world-class auction supporting the campaign’s two magnificent charities will round out the festivities.

The “Bagpipes & Blues” event is open to the public, with tickets available for purchase. In addition, a limited number of Ryder Cup daily tickets are available through the Magnificent Moments campaign.  For tickets or information about Magnificent Moments, visit www.magnificentmoments.org.

The Ultimate Ryder Cup Collectible- Teams Print just released!

The teams are set! The Captains have made their picks and the 39^th Ryder Cup promises to be one for the ages.

Now you have a chance to purchase this ultimate commemorative collectible- by renowned legendary artist LeRoy Neiman- the 2012 Ryder Cup Teams Print contains the names of all the players on the American and European teams- Woods, Watson, Mickelson, McIlroy, Garcia, Donald- they are all there along with Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal!

Mr. Neiman, who passed away in June at the age of 91, captured the drama of the Ryder Cup competition and Medinah’s iconic clubhouse in his last major painting which hangs proudly at the Club and will be on display Ryder Cup week.

The 2012 Ryder Cup Teams Print is $50.00 and measures 18 x 24” and comes in your choice of blue or white backgrounds.

Best known for his brilliantly colored, stunningly energetic depictions of sporting events and leisure activities, LeRoy Neiman has yet again captivated fans across the globe with this Official Ryder Cup Commemorative Teans poster. This coveted collectible captures the drama of the 39th installment of the biennial competition between the finest golfers representing the United States and Europe as the teams tee off in the pivotal singles matches. Standing strong in the center of the piece is the legendary Byzantine-styled Medinah Country Club clubhouse and signature putting green abuzz with activity and anticipation of the unfolding scene, as well as the action at the first tee of Medinah’s historic Course #3 that dates back to the 1920s. The border that surrounds the 18″ x 24″ print boasts the name and location of the event, in addition to all the members of both teams, making this piece a splendid gift for any golf enthusiast.

• Measures 18″ x 24″
• Custom artwork
• Ready to frame
• Officially licensed

CHICAGO’S MAGNIFICENT MILE TEES UP ‘TARTAN ART ON THE AVENUE’ FOR CHARITY

50 Custom-Designed Five-Foot Golf Balls Displayed On Michigan Avenue In Celebration Of 39th Ryder Cup At Medinah Country Club

OAK BROOK, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2012) – One of the great avenues of the world, Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, is now home to the “Tartan Art on the Avenue” public art exhibit, featuring 50 uniquely decorated giant golf balls located along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and throughout the Chicagoland area.

The exhibit is part of Magnificent Moments, an officially sanctioned charitable fundraising campaign of the upcoming 39th Ryder Cup, which will be played Sept. 25-30 at historic Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. The campaign is raising money for two local charities – Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and The Illinois PGA Foundation – by hosting a series of “Magnificent Moments” in Chicago.

“We are very excited to roll out this wonderful exhibit in celebration of the Ryder Cup matches,” said Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. “The Magnificent Moments team has worked very hard to develop this unique collection of golf balls to raise awareness and important funds for the ongoing works of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and the Illinois PGA Foundation.”

And Chicago Now has the story here!

Jenny McCarthy, visiting her hometown, recently stopped by the Tartan Art Studio to view the sculptures and meet the artists painting that evening.  While she was there, she signed a very Chicago-centric golf ball painted by artist Jeff Budzban.  This ball is currently available for sponsorship and is a one-of-a-kind piece now that Jenny has autographed it!

Our friends Ben Isaacs and Don Larson both shared some Ryder Cup memories from Tartan Art on the Avenue Honorary Chair LeRoy Neiman in Crain’s Chicago Business.  You can read the article here.

You may have seen Tom Ceska from the Chicago Brushmasters on Pioneer Plaza on Thursday morning, August 30.  He was there painting the NBC-5 Chicago Tartan Art golf ball in support of the Ryder Cup Magnificent Moments campaign, and was featured both during the 5 a.m. Morning News with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana’s CEO Doug Porter, and again at Noon with Magnificent Moments Executive Director Eric Schmidt.  You can see Tom’s work of art beginning on September 13th right on Pioneer Plaza!

Get a sneak peak of NBC-5 Chicago’s ad for the Ryder Cup Magnificent Moments Campaign right here!