QUINCY, Mass. (July 20, 2006) – BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern United States, announced today a three-year extension with The Legends Tour, continuing its title sponsorship of the BJ’s Charity Championship through 2008.
The inaugural BJ’s Charity Championship raised over $1 million for the BJ’s Charitable Foundation in 2005, and the goal of the second annual Legends Tour event is to surpass that figure when it is played Aug. 4-6 at Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills in Quincy, Mass.
"The inaugural BJ’s Charity Championship was a resounding success on all fronts – from the thrilling competitive play to the $1 million raised for charity," said Paul Bass, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. "In committing to this extension, we anticipate that the BJ’s Charity Championship will become a hallmark of the Boston sports landscape for years to come."
The BJ’s Charity Championship is one of four stops on The Legends Tour, the official Legends Tour of the LPGA, and features 30 two-player teams competing for a $500,000 purse – a $100,000 increase from 2005.
The tournament consists of a one-day pro-am followed by a two-day, 36-hole team tournament featuring some of the most notable names in women’s golf history. The field for next month’s event already includes Nancy Lopez, Rosie Jones, Jan Stephenson, Pat Bradley, Patty Sheehan, Cindy Rarick and a wealth of other recognizable names.
The 2005 BJ’s Charity Championship featured a riveting five-hole playoff and co-championship teams of Bradley-Sheehan and Stephenson-Rarick. It also became the final professional competition in the legendary career of Kathy Whitworth, golf’s all-time leader with 88 victories.
"We’re thrilled to continue to be affiliated with a company of BJ’s stature and reputation for charitable giving,” said Jane Blalock, President of The Legends Tour. "We look forward to the tournament’s continued success and believe it is a wonderful showcase for The Legends Tour and women’s golf.”
Funds generated by the BJ’s Charity Championship are administered through the BJ’s Charitable Foundation to support community-based programs benefiting children and families. The foundation donated to nearly 150 organizations in 16 states in 2005. Some of the funding included a $200,000 grant to Cardinal Cushing Centers in Massachusetts and a $150,000 grant to Children’s Hospital Boston for the creation of an outdoor playground.
Established in 2004, the goal of the BJ’s Charitable Foundation is to create a positive, long-lasting impact on the communities BJ’s Wholesale Club serves. Nonprofit organizations based in communities served by BJ’s Wholesale Club are encouraged to submit funding proposals to the BJ’s Charitable Foundation.
About The BJ’s Charity Championship:
The BJ’s Charity Championship is a three-day Legends Tour event sponsored by BJ’s Wholesale Club, which consists of a one-day Pro-Am on Aug. 4 followed by a 36-hole tournament Aug. 5-6 featuring 30 two-player teams competing for a $500,000 purse. Funds raised from the tournament will be administered through the BJ’s Charitable Foundation to support community-based programs benefiting children and families. A $150,000 grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation earlier this year funded the first outdoor playground at Children’s Hospital Boston.
About BJ’s Wholesale Club:
Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. is a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern United States. The Company currently operates 165 Clubs and 88 gas stations in 16 states. For more information about BJ’s, please visit www.bjs.com.
About the Legends Tour
The Legends Tour is the Official Legends Tour of the LPGA for LPGA professionals 45 and older. It was founded in 2000 with the mission of providing opportunities to professional women golfers and promoting women’s golf worldwide. The bourgeoning women’s tour has grown to over 100 members, including some of the most recognizable names in women’s golf. The Legends Tour members have combined to win over 600 tournaments, including 55 major championships. LPGA Professionals turn 45 virtually every year and become new Legends Tour rookies â?¦ contributing to the long-term growth and vitality of the Tour.
Contact:
Todd Graff, Conover Tuttle Pace
781-246-9300
tgraff@conovertuttlepace.com
Amy Russ, BJ’s Wholesale Club
508-651-8549
aruss@bjs.com
