As they say, “When it rains, it pours!” And generosity is continuing to pour at Children’s Medical Center Foundation. Less than two weeks ago, Annie and her professional golf whiz Jordan Spieth provided a $500,000 donation for Children’s Medical Center Plano’s Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
It was just announced that a donation of $1M was made “to support the expansion at Children’s Medical Center Plano” by Travis Miller. For those outside the golf game, Travis’ name may be unfamiliar, and that’s peachy keen with him. On the other hand, anyone who has his/her own set of irons is hooked on his brainchild called PGA Memes.
[Editor’s note: You may not know what a meme is, but you know it when you see it.]
Travis’ journey to a hole-in-one success started less than five years ago, when he was a very successful executive in the Smart Home Industry. When he wasn’t working and raising a family with his wife Sophie Miller, he played a little golf and started creating memes about professional golfers just for fun.
But it took off with everyone from those on the pro golf circuit like Bryson James Aldrich DeChambeau, Jason Day and Michelle Wie West to celebrities coming on board to follow his memes.
It’s rather ironic that the man who has scored such a success based on photos and home tours of professional golfers is 1) “not that great of a golfer” and 2) a very low-profile type. Just try to find a photo of him!
Despite his personally staying under the radar, his “hobby” has not only made headlines within the golf industry but has impressed business analysts.
According to an 2019 article on “The Daily,” “Presently, PGA Memes brand has evolved into a platform that now entails ad campaigns, launch strategies and growth tactics through the PGA Memes various brands: Hack Patrol, Hissalot, and Fore the Babes. With more than 50 million a week in reach, the brand was even tapped by the PGA Tour and European Tour to promote tournaments and execute event activations with pro players. With a guaranteed ROI for brands that partner with PGA Memes, Miller has grown his audience and following into a massively lucrative resource. Though he isn’t just focused on brand deals. In fact, PGA Memes recently launched a charity tournament series, PGA Memes Challenge, where they’ve managed to raise and donate over $100K for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”
In making the million-dollar donation, Travis explained, “It’s truly been incredible to see the opportunities that have come from the PGA Memes platform over the past couple of years. Nothing stands out more or is more rewarding than doing charity work for children in need. Working with Children’s Health and their team to raise funds through out PGA Memes Challenge events has been an amazing way to bring the golf community together and make a great impact where it’s needed.”
For Sophie and Travis, the involvement with Children’s and their appreciation are personal. Their children, Nico Miller and Mila Miller, like countless other kids, have received care at Children’s Health.
To commemorate the Millers’ generosity, the Pauline Allen Gill Center’s playroom at the Plano campus will be named after Nico and Mila.
As Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher said, “Travis is a fantastic supporter of Children’s Health — he saw the needs of this rapidly growing community and stepped up immediately to help make life better for children. We‘re grateful to Travis and his family for generously contributing to the expansion of our Plano campus and for the difference their gift will make for patients and families across this region over many years to come.”
* Graphic provided by Children's Medical Center Foundation