1776 By David Burke, LPGA To Raise Funds In Morristown For Stricken Infant

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Although there's no precise opening date for the new restaurant, 1776 by David Burke featuring Topgolf Swing Suite will collaborate with the LPGA on a fundraiser to help one of the association's families. "Saving Grace" will support an LPGA family whose lives were recently upended by their infant daughter's sudden illness.

The fundraiser, hosted by 1776 and Golf4Her, will take place from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4 at the restaurant (67 East Park Pl.). The exclusive event for a limited 150 ticket holders will help raise funds for the care of Grace, the 10-month-old daughter of tour pro Jane Park and her husband, LPGA caddy Peter Godfrey. Godfrey is the caddy for Ariya Jutanugarn, who will attend the event with other LPGA stars.

Tickets, which cost $150 each, are available online.

In early July, Grace was rushed to the hospital with seizures and brain swelling, which caused severe brain damage. Both Park and Godfrey suspended their LPGA tour activities. Friend and LPGA veteran Tiffany Joh started a GoFundMe account to raise needed support for the care of Grace and her family.

The event is spearheaded by Christina L. Thompson, CEO of Golf4Her.com — an online golf boutique for women located in Denville — and Sue Vorcheimer, 1776's director of sales, marketing and events.

“It is our way of doing our part to help raise funds to help the family adjust to caring for a child with long-term special needs,” Thompson said. “This unplanned, life-changing event caused Jane and Peter to interrupt their careers to care for their daughter. We are hoping to help them out some by raising funds with this event and to show them we are all thinking of Grace."

The LPGA stars are in New Jersey to compete for the Cognizant Founders Cup from Oct. 7-10 at Mountain Ridge Country Club, West Caldwell.

LPGA tour players scheduled to appear at the "Saving Grace" event are:

• Ariya Jutanugarn: 13x LPGA Tour winner, including 2 major championships: 2016 Women's British Open and the 2018 US Women's Open
• Azahara Muñoz: 6x tour winner, including the 2012 Sybase Match Play Championship, Represented Team Europe in 4 Solheim Cups
• Brooke Henderson: 10x tour winner, including the 2016 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
• Emma Tally: 2017 Island Resort Champion
• Marina Alex: 2018 Cambia Portland Classic Champion, Represented Team USA in the 2019 Solheim Cup
• Mel Reid: 7x winner, including the 2020 ShopRite LPGA Classic, Represented Team Europe in 4 Solheim Cups, including the 2021 Solheim Cup.
• Mo Martin: 2014 RICHO British Open Champion
• Moriya Jutanugarn: 2x LPGA Tour winner, including the 2021Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with her sister, Ariya Jutanugarn.
• Karen Stupples: 2x LPGA Tour winner, including the 2004 Women's British Open. Represented Team Europe in the 2005 and 2011 Solheim Cups. Currently the on-course reporter and analyst for the Golf Channel
• Jerry Foltz: Golf Channel commentator

In addition to getting a sneak peek at 1776, ticketholders can enjoy photo-ops, a meet and greet with the attending LPGA tour's athletes and commentators, passed hors d’oeuvres, and 1776 signature cocktails, wine and beer.

The event will feature several other ways to raise funds. A silent auction will include golfing experiences with the pros and more. Plus, the venue will host "Beat-the-Pro," a competition in one of the golf suites. Winners of the “Beat-the-Pro” will get a ticket for a unique prize drawing at the end of the night.

“My team is happy to help any way we can,” said Chef David Burke. “Bringing a new restaurant to life is one of the most stressful, busiest and exciting moments for my team and me, but we couldn’t pass up this extraordinary moment with the LPGA tour right here in New Jersey to take a minute to help out. We are looking forward to being a part of the fabric of this amazing town.”

1776 is set to open in October. Read more: 1776 By David Burke With Topgolf Suite To Open Soon In Morristown

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