Holland set to host first charity golf tournament
Lefty's foundation raising funds for pediatric leukemia
ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Derek Holland's 60 Feet 6 Foundation is committed to the fight against leukemia, specifically pedriatic forms of the disease.
The 60 Feet 6 Foundation's latest fundraising effort will be on Monday with its inaugural Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Las Colinas Country Club, with an after party at DEC on Dragon in Dallas. Darren Oliver, Mark McLemore, Clayton Kershaw, Shawn Tolleson and Yovani Gallardo are among those who have committed to play in the tournament.
"I am very excited to do something to help the cause," Holland said. "Not only to give back to the community, but to help get one step closer to curing cancer and showing 60 Feet 6 kids that not only is their family on their side but myself, the foundation and the Texas Rangers.
"The golfing will be fun, but, at the end of the day, it's all about the kids affected by cancer and helping change their lives for the better."
Holland started the foundation last year after witnessing the community efforts of former teammates Michael Young and Ian Kinsler. After they were traded by the Rangers, Holland was determined to take over their considerable efforts in the community.
Young is a two-time winner of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association to those players who have distinguished themselves for being active in their community.
"I'm part of this community and I want to do as much as I can to help in my community," Holland said. "That's really what it comes down to. I just want to do what I can to help people that need it."
Holland has made donations to the Sunshine Kids, the Jason Motte Strikeout Cancer Initiative, Cook's Childrens Center in Fort Worth,Texas, and Children's Health in Dallas. He chose pediatric leukemia to be the principal target of his foundation.
"I just want to give them the attention they deserve and to know that not only is their family on their corner, but also that I'm on their side and the Rangers are on their side," Holland said. "It's not about me, but representing the Texas Rangers. I want to make sure I'm doing everything to know there's support behind them other than their family."