Upcoming Event: Women's Golf versus ANNIKA Intercollegiate on September 8, 2025
Women's Golf
vs ANNIKA Intercollegiate
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Duke Golf Set for Year Nine of Birdies for Babies Program
9/2/2025 2:47:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
DURHAM, N.C. – Year nine of the Birdies for Babies program kicks off in 2025-26 as the Duke men's and women's golf teams continue to raise money to benefit the Duke Children's Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units.
Over the eight-year history of the program, which was created by former women's golf national champion Virginia Elena Carta, the Blue Devils have raised $136,630.10.
"I'm pumped that we are continuing Birdies for Babies and our partnership with Duke Children's," said men's golf senior Ethan Evans. "Our team is grateful to carry forward this mission to help babies in intensive care. Can't wait to break the birdie record this year!"
If you are interested in supporting Duke's partnership with Duke Children's, you can pledge for each birdie made during the season or make a one-time donation. Pledges start at $0.50 and higher increments are welcome. If the Blue Devils register an eagle (counts as two birdies), albatross (three birdies) or hole-in-one (four birdies), they will count as stated. For more information, click here.
"I am so honored to have been a part of the Birdies for Babies program the past three years and excited to build upon our success this upcoming season," said women's golf graduate Andie Smith. "Being able to represent and benefit the NICU at the Duke Children's Hospital is so special to me and the team. We love visiting the NICU, chatting with the nurses and doctors and getting to see all the wonderful things they do for the families and babies in need."
The 23rd-ranked men's team opens play Sept. 5-7 as the Blue Devils host the Rod Myers Invitational at the Duke Golf Club, while the sixth-ranked women's team kicks off play Sept. 8-10 at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate in Lake Elmo, Minn.
The creation of the Birdies for Babies program was spearheaded by Carta. A native of Udine, Italy, Carta was a four-time All-ACC selection and the 2016 NCAA Individual Champion. The 2016 WGCA All-America and Honda Award winner turned in an NCAA-record 16-under-par ledger of 272 as a rookie to register her first collegiate victory. She became one of only four Blue Devils to win both a NCAA Individual and team NCAA title.
Duke Children's is a 180-bed inpatient hospital within Duke University Hospital. The central outpatient clinic, the McGovern-Davison Children's Health Center, is a 66,000 square-foot facility that is adjacent to the hospital, and combines medical and surgical specialty services in one colorful, child-focused location. Additionally, there are numerous Duke Children's primary care and specialty care clinics across North Carolina to care for the needs of children throughout the state. Duke Children's is one of the largest health care providers for children in the Southeast, and the only children's hospital in North Carolina to be ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about Duke Children's online at www.dukechildrens.org or at www.facebook.com/dukechildrens.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's and women's golf, follow the teams on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMGOLF" & "DukeWGOLF".
Over the eight-year history of the program, which was created by former women's golf national champion Virginia Elena Carta, the Blue Devils have raised $136,630.10.
"I'm pumped that we are continuing Birdies for Babies and our partnership with Duke Children's," said men's golf senior Ethan Evans. "Our team is grateful to carry forward this mission to help babies in intensive care. Can't wait to break the birdie record this year!"
If you are interested in supporting Duke's partnership with Duke Children's, you can pledge for each birdie made during the season or make a one-time donation. Pledges start at $0.50 and higher increments are welcome. If the Blue Devils register an eagle (counts as two birdies), albatross (three birdies) or hole-in-one (four birdies), they will count as stated. For more information, click here.
"I am so honored to have been a part of the Birdies for Babies program the past three years and excited to build upon our success this upcoming season," said women's golf graduate Andie Smith. "Being able to represent and benefit the NICU at the Duke Children's Hospital is so special to me and the team. We love visiting the NICU, chatting with the nurses and doctors and getting to see all the wonderful things they do for the families and babies in need."
The 23rd-ranked men's team opens play Sept. 5-7 as the Blue Devils host the Rod Myers Invitational at the Duke Golf Club, while the sixth-ranked women's team kicks off play Sept. 8-10 at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate in Lake Elmo, Minn.
The creation of the Birdies for Babies program was spearheaded by Carta. A native of Udine, Italy, Carta was a four-time All-ACC selection and the 2016 NCAA Individual Champion. The 2016 WGCA All-America and Honda Award winner turned in an NCAA-record 16-under-par ledger of 272 as a rookie to register her first collegiate victory. She became one of only four Blue Devils to win both a NCAA Individual and team NCAA title.
Duke Children's is a 180-bed inpatient hospital within Duke University Hospital. The central outpatient clinic, the McGovern-Davison Children's Health Center, is a 66,000 square-foot facility that is adjacent to the hospital, and combines medical and surgical specialty services in one colorful, child-focused location. Additionally, there are numerous Duke Children's primary care and specialty care clinics across North Carolina to care for the needs of children throughout the state. Duke Children's is one of the largest health care providers for children in the Southeast, and the only children's hospital in North Carolina to be ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about Duke Children's online at www.dukechildrens.org or at www.facebook.com/dukechildrens.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's and women's golf, follow the teams on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMGOLF" & "DukeWGOLF".
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