Woody Austin is in the midst of a great run on the PGA tour and he's using some of that new found fame to help raise money in Omaha for a school with specific programs to help autistic children.

I met Austin this week at the "Fore Autism" golf fundraiser at Champions Run in Omaha. Austin lends his talents to the event because of a family tie to Pat Little, the Principal of Brook Valley School.

Brook Valley School provides education for students with disabilities and autism and in recent years a playground was added through money raised in the golf tournament.

Austin is 44 years old and his professional golf career dates back to 1986.  He played for a while on the tour that is now sponsored by Nationwide and his total career winnings exceed $12,500,000.  In recent years he has excelled on the PGA tour and last fall was a standout for the United States in the President's Cup.  He currently is in position to play for his country in the prestigious Ryder Cup later this year.

Even with that success, Austin comes across as a "working man's" golfer, the kind of guy who will share stories and opinions with just about anybody.  And that's what he did at Champions Run.  After a clinic on the practice tee, Austin greeted each foursome on a par three tee box, answered questions and shared golf tips. 

There were more than 140 golfers in the field and Austin's presence had a lot to do with the terrific turnout.  Brook Valley will now have resources to build an additional facility that will help autistic children and their parents.

Woody Austin:  Knicely Done!

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