PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL. – Thanks to a dedicated fan base, support from the event’s Proud Partners, the tireless and selfless efforts of the tournament’s volunteer force and the entire Northeast Florida community, THE PLAYERS Championship generated a tournament-record $5.9 million for local charity in 2011, bringing the event’s charitable giving total to more than $46 million since THE PLAYERS moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977. The $5.9 million, which benefits more than 200 local charities throughout the First Coast, eclipses last year’s then-record total of $4.8 million.
Today’s record-breaking announcement was made during pre-game festivities at the Jacksonville Jaguars game to kick off THE PLAYERS Giving Back Month. On hand to unveil the $5.9 million total were Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown; PGA TOUR player, local resident and 2005 PLAYERS Champion Fred Funk; Red Coats and Blue Coats, representing the volunteer leadership of THE PLAYERS; and youth from the PACE Center for Girls and AMI Kids, who unfurled a 40-yard long banner at midfield that read, “THE PLAYERS: $5.9 million to local charities in 2011.”
“We are indeed fortunate to have the Jacksonville Jaguars and THE PLAYERS Championship in our community to help shine a bright spotlight on Northeast Florida,” said Mayor Brown. “THE PLAYERS Championship is a world-class golf tournament whose impact extends far beyond just one week in May, and all of us who live and work on the First Coast benefit from the tournament’s charitable force. This is yet another example of a public-private partnership that shows the philanthropic spirit of the great people in our area. I’m proud to be a part of today’s announcement and congratulate everyone involved with THE PLAYERS – including the fans who support the tournament – for this record-setting $5.9 million that will impact the lives of so many of our neighbors in need.”
“Being a part of THE PLAYERS Championship for the past 12 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and to see that banner rolled out today across the field with ‘$5.9 million’ written on it – I can’t explain how proud I am of every single volunteer, staff member and fan who supported THE PLAYERS this year,” said 2011 Volunteer Chairman Jim Fuller, Duval Clerk of the Circuit Court. “As THE PLAYERS continues to reach new heights, we are able to make even more significant and lasting changes in the community through a variety of worthwhile charities. And while this year’s record-setting total of $5.9 million is an impressive number, it’s really the lives of those impacted – many of whom are our community’s children – that should make us all be proud that Northeast Florida is home to THE PLAYERS.”
More than $4.2 million, or approximately 71 percent, of money generated from THE PLAYERS 2011 benefits children’s charities along the First Coast, which falls in line with the event’s committed goal, announced in April, to generate $50 million for youth-related charities over the next 10 years. Through this shift in focus, the event is well on its way to making a significant financial impact on area non-profits that promote education, character development, and health and fitness for young people.
The PACE Center for Girls and AMI Kids are participants in THE PLAYERS Birdies for Charity program, and the PACE Center for Girls is a major grant recipient of THE PLAYERS. Youth from both organizations were at the Jaguars game as guests in the “Honor Rows,” a unique, nationally recognized program of the Jaguars Foundation that uses seats at Jaguars home games as incentives to encourage youth to set and achieve their goals. They, along with representatives from The Boselli Foundation, Gateway Community Services and Hubbard House, earned their seat to Sunday’s game for achieving goals in academics, physical fitness and volunteer service; all of those organizations benefit from dollars generated through THE PLAYERS.
“We are so proud of the impact THE PLAYERS Championship has had on many charities – and lives – in Northeast Florida over the years, and today is a great day for the 2,000-plus men, women and children who volunteer their time to THE PLAYERS to ensure that the event is a charitable leader in the community,” said 2012 Volunteer Chairman Curtis Hazel. “The $5.9 million generated through the 2011 tournament will go a long way toward our new focus on helping the youth of Northeast Florida, a critical need in our community.”
While much of the $5.9 million is generated during tournament week, THE PLAYERS and TPC Sawgrass are partnering with local charities throughout the year to help raise additional, significant dollars for the community, and those funds are included in today’s announcement. Events like THE PLAYERS Benefit for the Arts in June, Chip In For Youth program and Birdies for Charity commitments made by the fans are all part of the significant impact THE PLAYERS is able to make on the First Coast.
Following today’s event at the Jaguars game, Giving Back Month continues with an announcement at Wolfson Children’s Hospital on October 17 with PGA TOUR player Jim Furyk (details to follow) and a variety of media appearances and interviews by the tournament’s current and past volunteer leadership.
THE PLAYERS will take place May 7-13, 2012. Each year, youth 18 and younger are admitted free of charge to the tournament when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There is no limit to the number of youth 18 and younger who can attend with a ticketed adult. More information about THE PLAYERS is available at PGATOUR.COM/theplayers.