Staff WriterHyFlyers GC, the team captained by six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, isn’t just about crushing drives and cashing cheques. They’re also giving back in a big way—one bunker shot at a time. In a partnership forged in 2024 with the nonprofit Bunkers in Baghdad as part of LIV Golf’s “Potential, Unleashed” initiative, they’ve delivered a jaw-dropping 16 million golf balls and 1.6 million golf clubs to U.S. troops stationed around the globe.
This mission isn’t just another line in the team’s highlight reel—it’s personal. Mickelson’s father served as a fighter jet pilot, and that family connection fuels his determination to support military causes.
“We are forever grateful for the sacrifice that the men and women of our country have made to provide the freedoms we all take for granted,” said HyFlyers GC Captain Phil Mickelson.
“The efforts of Bunkers in Baghdad are incredible and we are so grateful to be a part of a program that helps bring some enjoyment to our military with the game of golf.”
HyFlyers GC’s support doesn’t stop with gear. Fans attending the LIV Golf Virginia event, and all other U.S.-based LIV Golf tournaments, have a chance to chip in too—literally.
The first 100 attendees each day (Friday through Sunday) who donate 12 new or gently used golf balls at the HyFlyers GC Drop Boxes get a complimentary grounds pass for the day.
Last year alone, those donations added up to over 20,000 golf balls making their way to U.S. troops overseas.
This season, HyFlyers GC added a unique pledge: a donation for every bunker shot one of their players hits during tournament play. It’s a reminder that even the most frustrating part of the game can be turned into something meaningful. So far, that effort has already put $25,000 back into the pot for troops and veterans.
Bunkers in Baghdad’s work goes beyond just sending golf equipment. Their Bunker Buddies programme has delivered more than 2,250 messages from children to active-duty service members, a small but powerful gesture that’s as moving as any clutch putt.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Eric Harrison knows firsthand how meaningful these packages can be. “Bunkers in Baghdad is a fantastic organisation that is truly making a difference in the lives of our service members around the globe, as well as our wounded in recovery,” he said.
“While in Iraq, my unit received clubs, balls, and turf. The unit created a driving range allowing soldiers to hit balls following patrols and blow off steam. Seeing the Bunkers’ boxes arrive in the mail felt like receiving a little slice of home.”
Alongside those golf balls and clubs, Bunkers in Baghdad provides equipment to injured veterans in Wounded Warriors programs, VA hospitals, and military installations across the country.
For many of these veterans, golf is more than a game—it’s a path to rehabilitation and a chance to find joy in the small things.
HyFlyers GC’s commitment to this mission dovetails with their wider focus on three pillars: engaging youth, supporting sustainability, and honouring the military. It’s a rare example in pro sports where community impact is as crucial as competition.
For those who want to see how HyFlyers GC and Bunkers in Baghdad continue to serve, more information is available on the official Bunkers in Baghdad website.
This isn’t just a golf story—it’s a story of how the game can bring people together and lift them up, one bunker shot at a time.
