A Windfall for Windy Hill

By Kerry Phelps Dale

The unlikely combination of pro golf, big business and a small-town foundation with big goals, nets Windy Hill Foundation a $20,000 gift courtesy PGA Tour Professional Golfer, Michael Kim, MetLife and a very motivated Fauquier and Loudoun community.

Windy Hill Foundation, a Middleburg-based organization that provides affordable housing, services and programs to seniors and families is the recipient of the $20,000 MetLife Matchup challenge. Up and coming pro, Michael Kim, who is a client of sports agent, Middleburg resident and long-time Windy Hill supporter John Mascatello, became eligible for the challenge because of his approach to the fifth hole in the John Deere Classic last month.  Kim went on to win the tournament, the first of his PGA tournament wins, but probably not the last for the talented 25-year-old.

“Winning the MetLife Matchup Challenge made an incredible week that much better, says Michael Kim. “I’m thrilled to be able to help Windy Hill and all they do to help their community.”

“Michael has been to Middleburg several times and has seen how special our community is,” says John Mascatello. “Although our relationship began as a professional one, it has grown to be a more personal one, and through his conversations with Beth Ann (wife and WHF board member) he came to know of Windy Hill. He’s a young guy and doesn’t yet have a charitable foundation of his own. He saw what an impact his role could make to Windy Hill and that really appeals to him.”

The MetLife Matchup is a season-long contest of 13 tour events that recognizes the players who best navigate challenging situations on the course, making Windy Hill Foundation a fitting choice of charities. The challenge is awarded to the player and charity getting the most online votes. Winning the $20,000 puts Windy Hill Foundation in the running for the $750,000 MetLife challenge award—a contribution that would have an enormous impact on the relatively small foundation.

“We are so honored and grateful that Michael has chosen Windy Hill Foundation for the MetLife Matchup and can’t thank the community enough for voting for us,” says Bob Dale, Executive Director of Windy Hill. “We’re planning on putting the $20,000 toward the programs and services we run for the residents of our properties, the backbone of our success in helping our residents achieve independence and life goals.”

“Now, we really need everybody to vote and vote often to help us to the next step,” Dale continues. “We are gearing up our board, volunteers and community supporters to vote during the next challenge.”

“Why not us?” asks board member Beth Ann Mascatello about winning the next and final stage. “$750,000 would be life changing for the foundation and in turn for our residents.”

“Even though Michael may be up against more well-known golfers, we won the weekly challenge—I believe we can win the $750,000. I’m in awe of our community and what they pulled off in voting for Michael and Windy Hill. Everyone is so supportive of Windy Hill and their place in our community.”

“The only way we can make it to the $750,000, though,” says Mascatello, “is if we get everyone to use their social media skills, too. Share on Facebook and Instagram. Tweet. Just get the word out there.  You can vote up to 20 times a day and it really only takes a few minutes.” ML

The MetLife Matchup is open to all the designees from all winning shots throughout the challenge. The player who has the most final votes will receive $750,000 for their charity of choice and be named 2018 MetLife Champion. Voting takes place from August 5-15 on the MetLife Matchup website:
www.pgatour.com/metlife-matchup.html.

This article first appeared in the August 2018 Issue