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Local Man’s Three-Plus Decades of Volunteerism Through Golf to be Honored “Heart of the Cup” Volunteer of the Year Award to be Presented by Golf Legend Arnold Palmer at Special Event on May 25

Baltimore, MD – Special Olympics Maryland announced today that Baltimore native Ray Daue has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural “Heart of the Cup” Volunteer of the Year Award, which will be presented officially at a May 25 fundraising dinner featuring golfing legend Arnold Palmer and famed broadcaster Jim Nantz.

The event, titled The 19th Hole: An Intimate Evening with Arnold Palmer and Jim Nantz is intended as a celebration of the incredible impact the sport of golf has had on our community and the difference it has made for non-profits of all type and size. The Heart of the Cup Awards have been created to celebrate both the Volunteer of the Year and the Volunteer Golf Organization of the Year.

Daue’s legacy will be celebrated during the 19th Hole, ending with the presentation of the physical award by Mr. Arnold Palmer. The recipient of the Volunteer Golf Organization of the Year, the Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents (ESAGCS), will also be recognized.

About Ray Daue
Ray Daue, Senior Vice President for Willis of Maryland, has been doing charity work, with golf as the medium, for 34 years. He has helped to raise an incredible $10 million collectively for a variety of non-profits.

Since 1977, Daue has helped run golf events and auctions as fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, Believe in Tomorrow, Calvert Hall College, Catholic Charities, Dyslexia Tutoring, First Tee of Baltimore, Habitat for Humanity, Institute of Notre Dame, Lupus Foundation, Maryland Food Bank, Pediatric Oncology, Save-A-Heart and Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Foundation, among others.

After nine years of participating in countless charitable events, Daue was named President of Baltimore Area Golf Charities, whose purpose was to make the biggest impact for its charities by maximizing the economy of scale, and combining efforts and events. His experience earned him the position of Executive Director for the State Farm Senior Classic. These events became the Constellation Energy Players Championship.

“The name Ray Daue is synonymous with golf in this community,” said Tom Schniedwind, Exec. VP of Sports Marketing for Special Olympics Maryland. “We as an organization have benefited from his talents and passion, and we have also admired from afar as he has worked successfully on behalf of so many others.

“The selection committee for this award certainly had a difficult job, but Ray rose to the top as the individual who has made the single great contribution of time, effort and energy to the non-profit community through the sport of golf. We should all be so lucky to be able to combine our two greatest passions into something that makes a difference for so many,” he said.

After 34 years of community service, one of Daue's most memorable moments was his very first Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games Opening Ceremony, which was held then at University of Maryland. “Watching that Parade of Athletes and seeing such joy...well, it made me realize how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to help people in our community achieve their dreams,” he said.

Another memorable cause was what he called his “Field of Dreams” moment, when he organized an event for a family member of the Hillendale Country Club. This individual had become paralyzed and needed assistance. The overwhelming response to this fund raiser was evidence of the generous spirit of the Baltimore community.

Daue continues to believe in the mission of all of the worthwhile causes he has supported. “You are working with people who have been dealt unbelievably tragic blows, but somehow they are able to turn their lives into a legacy for good,” said Daue. “That is when you know just how resilient we are as human beings and how much good there is in the world.”

Daue credits the upbringing of his father and mother as the model of how to live your life and give back. Ray recognizes his father as his greatest influence. John Haines, former pro at Hunt Valley Golf Club, was also instrumental in Daue’s career of helping others. It was Haines who talked Daue into chairing an event for Cystic Fibrosis, the first of many causes he would assist.

A 1966 graduate of Calvert Hall College, Daue credits his 91-year-old mother with teaching him to live a “carpe diem” life as well as the importance of giving back. As a cancer survivor himself and a former U.S. Marine, Daue reminds himself every day to simply enjoy the moment.

His present club affiliations are the Baltimore Country Club and the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. His professional affiliations have included the Maryland State Athletic Commission; Board membership with The First Tee, Mid-State Federal Savings & Loan Association and Special Olympics Maryland, as well as serving as the Director of Institutional Advancement and a Trustee for Calvert Hall College.

Daue resides in Timonium, MD. In addition to golf, he enjoys exercising and spending time with his family and friends.

The 19th Hole is set for Wed., May 25 at Martin’s West in Baltimore, MD. Approximately 1500 people are expected to attend the festivities.