South African golfer Bobby Locke is considered by many to have been the best putter ever in professional golf. He's credited with coining one of the truisms of golf: "You drive for show but putt for dough."
"Very early in my career, I realized that putting was half the game of golf. No matter how well I might play the long shots, if I couldn't putt, I would never win."
So the pressure on the green is tremendous, especially where a birdie (one under par for you non-golfers) or better is on the line. And when J.J. Henry lines up one of those putts, it's not just his dough on the line. Also at stake is the Banking for Birdies program of the Henry House Foundation. The program donates to charities based on Henry's birdies on the tour.
"I laugh that it just adds even more pressure to make birdies week in and week out, but really it's a great way for us to make donations to a lot more community groups," Henry said. "Each month, we get to know another cause and a new need in the community, and the birdies keep everyone engaged throughout the month."
Some recent results: In March, Henry made 18 birdies in a "Putting for Paintings!" program to add new canvases to Cook Children's Medical Center. An anonymous donor chipped in to double that for a total of 36 canvases for National Child Life Month. Cook and the Creative Artists in Residence Programme use painting, music, writing, theater and creative artists therapeutically to connect patients.
In April, Henry's 23 birdies - an eagle (two under par) counted as two - provided 23 paint and brush kits for the Hope Center 4 Autism in Fort Worth in honor of Autism Awareness Month.
Henry House Foundation has provided games rooms and other amenities for both Cook Children's and the First Tee Program in Fort Worth, and people joke that Henry's just a big kid himself and that explains the interest in the rooms. How does he react to that?
"Well, I have two young boys, and we chose our mission and used the word "House" in our name because my wife and I want this to be a family-focused foundation," he said. "It is key for us that all of our gifts directly impact the kids - so it is important that we ask how things will be used, what will be the most fun and bring the most excitement." And in his mind, that includes some arcades, cubbies and video games for the kids.
The PGA Tour gives more money back to charity than all other professional sports combined, Henry notes. "I really am thankful to have a platform to bring funds and awareness to so many deserving organizations and causes," he said.
He's also thankful to represent Fort Worth on the tour and grateful to live in a city "where so many businesses and individuals share our vision and get behind our events and initiatives." "My wife, Lee, and I are very proud of the Henry House and grateful for the support of so many," Henry said.
