In early August, a series of wildfires broke out in Hawaii, mostly affecting the island of Maui, taking lives and homes along the way. The islands of Hawaii have produced some big talent in women’s professional golf, with the likes of five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West and 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Allisen Corpuz.
The Epson Tour has four Hawaii natives as members for the 2023 season, with one Epson Tour champion in that group, Britney Yada. Yada returned to the Epson Tour in 2023, and when she heard about the wildfires in her home state, she took inspiration from PGA Tour star, Collin Morikawa, and wanted to help out her home state in any way possible.
“Even though I live in Phoenix now, Hawaii will always be home and will always have a special place in my heart,” said Yada. “I saw that Collin Morikawa did something for them, and a lot of players have done something (in the past) if there’s been a hurricane or something. I felt like I had to do something, whatever small amount I could do.”
Backed by the company that sponsors the event she won in 2022 – Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, Yada will fulfill her goal of contributing to her home state and making a difference. Starting this week at the Black Desert Resort Championship, for every birdie Britney Yada makes, The Murphy USA Charitable Foundation will donate $100 to help support those affected by the wildfires in Hawaii. The donations will continue through the conclusion of the 2023 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, where Yada returns as defending champion.
“It really means a lot that Murphy USA is going to back me,” said Yada. “I don’t have family on Maui, but being from there, I know that Hawaii is such a small community. It’s always known that people from Hawaii take care of people from Hawaii. It’s a very tight culture there, and I just feel like anything I can do from my side of it helps."
Murphy USA answered the call without hesitation to support their reigning champion. Yada has rolled in 133 birdies so far this season, averaging just over three birdies a round. If she keeps on that pace, by the end of the 2023 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, she will have around 27 birdies and close to $3,000 raised for the people of Maui.
“When we were approached with the opportunity to support Britney in her efforts to raise funding and awareness for Maui Fire Relief there was no question, we wanted to help our defending champion any way we could,” said Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout Tournament Director, Courtney Kelley. “We understand the importance of supporting small communities in their time of need and feel privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the people of Maui!”
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