David Ortiz is bringing his star-studded golf weekend back to Palm Beach Gardens. The Red Sox legend known to fans everywhere as Big Papi will host the annual Weekend with Papi Celebrity Golf Classic at PGA National Resort from November 13 through 15, with proceeds benefiting children needing heart surgery and medical care in the Dominican Republic and New England.
A Decades-Long Fight for Kids' Hearts
Ortiz, a Baseball Hall of Famer, three-time World Series champion and 10-time MLB All-Star, founded the David Ortiz Children's Fund back in 2007. The fund initially partnered with CEDIMAT Hospital in the Dominican Republic to provide pediatric cardiac surgeries for children who otherwise lacked access to essential care, then expanded its mission in 2009 through a partnership with MassGeneral Hospital for Children. The fund reports that it has helped save 1,611 children and aided another 16,540.
This year's gathering follows a 2025 edition that organizers said had already pulled in more than $1.2 million in donations by its second day, according to WFLX. That event, also held at PGA National's Champion course, drew Félix Hernández for his third consecutive year attending, while former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis joined the golf portion of the weekend, as reported by WPTV.
Past Editions Have Featured Hall of Famers and a Wrestling Icon
Past editions have featured former MLB stars, and the guest mix has included athletes from beyond baseball.
Past editions have also featured professional wrestler Ric Flair and actor and comedian Anthony Anderson, broadening the event well beyond its baseball roots. Guests can choose from celebrity golf, luxury accommodations, all-inclusive dining and cocktails, live music, fitness classes and wellness experiences, and a past edition included an auction benefiting the David Ortiz Children's Fund.
Where the Money Goes
Organizers say proceeds from the Weekend with Papi fund pediatric heart procedures, emergency medical training, family assistance and child life specialists working in pediatric intensive care units. Before the 2025 event, the annual gathering had raised nearly $14 million, according to WPBF. The event has raised over $12 million.
Ortiz has spoken about the importance of giving back through the event. The event has previously been held outside Palm Beach County as well; one account places an earlier edition on Marco Island, Florida, though that detail comes from a lower-confidence source.
For families whose children need cardiac care they couldn't otherwise afford, the fund's mission has stayed consistent since Ortiz first partnered with CEDIMAT Hospital nearly two decades ago: provide lifesaving heart surgeries and medical care for children in the Dominican Republic and New England. This November, that mission returns once again to the fairways of PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens.
