EDITOR'S NOTE: Click here to follow Twitter updates from the day and look for more photos and video from the Verizon Wireless Network of Champions Golf Tournament on Tuesday on AtlantaFalcons.com.
SUWANEE, Ga. -- The window for quarterback Matt Ryan and his Falcons teammates to play golf closes more each day. When training camp begins, the clubs go into storage.
So, Monday's trip to The River Club for the fifth annual Verizon Wireless Network of Champions Golf Tournament was a chance to pursue a passion and raise money for a worthy cause.
"It's a nice break in the OTA action," Ryan said when asked about his day at the course. "I bought my mulligans and helped out a bit to support a good cause."
Funds from a silent auction and mulligan sales raised more than $24,000 -- including a $15,000 grant from Verizon Wireless -- for Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV).
A check was presented at the end of a highly-competitive day of golf between 27 groups on the course. Each group of four golfers was joined by a Falcons player, coach or executive while other Falcons roamed the course to sign autographs, take pictures or take hacks at the ball on designated tee boxes.
“Through our ongoing collaboration with Verizon Wireless, we have been able to help increase awareness of domestic violence across the state of Georgia,” Head Coach Mike Smith said. “Verizon Wireless is a valued partner of the Atlanta Falcons and we are honored to be associated with an organization that, like the Falcons, continually looks for ways to give back to the community.”
Ryan shot an 88 at Augusta National Golf Club earlier in the offseason but his team came up short Monday. The team led by quarterback D.J. Shockley won the event with a handicap-adjusted score of minus-43.
The star-studded lineup included Smith, Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, President Rich McKay and former quarterbacks Steve Bartkowski and Dave Archer.
“This was our fifth year hosting the Network of Champions Golf Tournament," said Jeff Mango, president for the Georgia/Alabama Region of Verizon Wireless. "We truly appreciate The Atlanta Falcons, Verizon Wireless employees and tournament attendees that continue to donate their time and money to worthy organizations such as Partnership Against Domestic Violence to help those affected by domestic violence in Georgia and across the country. This annual golf tournament aims to keep domestic violence awareness and prevention at the forefront of our community outreach efforts.”
Tournament festivities included a putting contest -- won by linebacker Stephen Nicholas -- and various stops for food and other prizes along the 18-hole layout. Silent auction items included a flyaway for two with the Atlanta Falcons, an authentic signed Atlanta Falcons jersey by Ryan, an official University of Georgia helmet signed by Hines Ward, a getaway for two at The Home Ranch in Colorado and sixteen suite passes to watch the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants at Turner Field.
