It’s one of the most prestigious events of the LPGA and it’s not just about golf. Now in its fourth year, the JM Eagle L.A. Championship presented by PlastPro has evolved into a hub of relief aid for LAFD families affected by the devastating wildfires in 2025.
Walter and Shirley Wang of the JMM Foundation and the CEOs of JM Eagle and PlastPro, respectively have donated $1.5 million in wildfire relief to LAFD and Pasadena firefighters to help rebuild their homes. Watch a preview of the 2026 tournament below.
Philanthropists and pro golfers give back
What started as an initial donation from Walter and Shirley of $500,000 to 30 firefighter families bloomed into an additional $200,000 each to five families.
“I’m just really grateful for JM Eagle and Walter and Shirley Wang for helping us, for their donation,” said Pasadena FD fire engineer, whose family was one of the five recipients; they lost their home to the Eaton fire. “It means the world to us to help us get back into our home as soon as possible.”
And the philanthropists aren’t the only ones giving back: ahead of the 2025 tournament, Australian pro golfer Hannah Green pledged $500 for each birdie she made.
“I’m not sure if there’s going to be a lot of birdies out there, but I just hope that I can somehow [have] a donation to give back to the community,” she said.
Ultimately, Hannah donated over $10,500. She returns to the 2026 tournament held at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, Calif. along with fourteen of the top 25 Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranked players, including no. 3-ranked Hyo Joo Kim and no. 5-ranked Minjee Lee.
First responders fire, police and emergency technicians—and their families will be able to attend the event for free (up to four tickets).
A handmade token of appreciation
“My parents do a lot of philanthropy, right, and they really spend their time to make sure that the money that they donate really makes an impact,” said JM Eagle Executive Vice President Walter Wang Jr. (and son of Walter and Shirley Wang). “When the fires happened, they wanted to make sure they worked with an organization where it really helped the actual firefighters.”
To express LAFD’s appreciation for the Wangs’ ongoing support, the charity’s parent organization, the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association and its president and Fire Captain II Chris Stine presented them with a special gift, made by LAFRA trustee John Marasco: an American flag fashioned out of painted firehose and set on a plaque to be displayed at the JM Eagle headquarters in Los Angeles.
“There’s no other company that stepped up like they did,” said Chris. “There’s some true hope because [of] the Wang family, and the generosity that they’ve extended to our firefighters is just incredible.”
By Audrey Yap