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A Driving Force For Children’s Health

Launched in 2019 by Children’s Miracle Network®, alongside Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and the PGA TOUR, Play Yellow unites the golf community around a shared legacy of supporting children’s healthcare and creating brighter, healthier futures for all kids.

Why Play Yellow?

How It All Started

Play Yellow’s legacy of making big change for all kids through the game of golf is inspired by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’ lifelong commitment to remembering a young fan and family friend, Craig Smith, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 1968. We wear yellow in honor of Jack’s lucky yellow competition shirt, which has become a symbol of hope and dedication to children’s healthcare for the golf community.

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An action shot of Jack Nicklaus during his professional playing days, wearing a light yellow polo shirt and patterned blue trousers while gesturing on a green.

Jack Nicklaus

A studio portrait of Barbara and Jack Nicklaus smiling together; Barbara is wearing a textured yellow jacket and Jack is in a yellow polo shirt, set against a yellow background with framed nature artwork.

Jack and Barbara Nicklaus

A vintage color photograph of a young boy with glasses and a buzz cut, wearing a plaid jacket and tie; this is Craig Smith, whose love of yellow inspired the Play Yellow movement.

Craig Smith

A Growing Legacy

What began as a personal philanthropic commitment is now a growing national movement powered by the partnership of Children’s Miracle Network, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and the PGA TOUR. Since its launch in 2019, Play Yellow has been dedicated to raising funds to support life-changing care, pediatric equipment, family services and more for local children’s hospitals and the communities they serve.

PGA Tour golfer Rickie Fowler in a yellow striped polo posing with Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, who are wearing grey blazers with Play Yellow ribbons pinned to their lapels.

The Future Is Bright (Yellow)

Our legacy is just beginning. We are uniting the golf community to expand our impact and ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up strong. Join us as we continue to elevate the standard of care at children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada.

Explore Our Community Ways To Play Yellow
A family of four, including two young children, posing on a golf course; everyone is wearing yellow Play Yellow polo shirts and yellow Golden Bear hats.