When Sean McCauley set out to launch The McCauley Foundation Invitational, he approached it the same way he approaches his business: with long-term vision and disciplined execution. “I wanted to make sure quality was felt from start to finish, hopefully turning this into an annual event that raises more money each year,” he said. The result? All 20 team spots filled within a week, generating $449,000 for melanoma research and patient-focused initiatives in the foundation’s inaugural year.
Headquartered in Dallas, McCauley Bond Agency helps contractors, developers, and commercial clients maximize their surety bond programs. With additional offices in California, North Carolina, and Idaho, the firm is built on strategic guidance and customized support.
“We built the foundation in July of 2025 and put the event on December 8th,” McCauley says. “I’m excited to see what we could do having a whole year to plan for it.” From the beginning, the goal was to create something designed not just for a single day of success, but for measurable growth year after year.
The foundation’s mission itself is deeply personal. Melanoma has touched multiple generations of McCauley’s family—his mother and grandfather both battled the disease and survived, and his wife Courtney’s grandfather passed away from melanoma in 2024. Close friend and Trinity Forest assistant pro Wes Worster, who helped bring the tournament to life, also lost his father to the disease. “I think all of us wanted to figure out a way to give back and also celebrate the ones we have lost to melanoma,” McCauley says.
Hosting the Pro-Am at Trinity Forest Golf Club felt like a natural fit. A member of the club, McCauley leaned on strong relationships within the golf community, drawing 20 PGA and Korn Ferry Tour professionals to participate. “The biggest standout moment to me was being able to get so many golf pros to take time out of their busy schedule to play in the event and care so much,” he says.
Beyond the leaderboard, the Invitational emphasized awareness and impact. Dermatologist Dr. Mary Hurley provided on-site skin checks, reinforcing the importance of early detection. Proceeds were directed to AIM at Melanoma Foundation, supporting targeted screening initiatives across Texas and the Melanoma Tissue Bank Consortium—the first and only collaborative fresh frozen primary melanoma tissue bank.
For McCauley, the Invitational reflects the same philosophy that drives his business. “My brand and my values mean more to me than anything,” he says. “I wanted to figure out a way to keep building our brand in a positive way and create something special that hopefully one of my kids can take over some day.”
Looking ahead, the vision is clear. “I think if we can raise at least 25% more yearly, we’ll be moving in the right direction,” McCauley says. With the Dallas community firmly behind it and a strategic approach intact, the Invitational is poised to become more than a tournament—it’s a long-term investment in research, prevention, and ultimately, a cure.