PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – As U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger and his team prepare to face Europe in the 37th Ryder Cup this week, U.S.-based charitable organizations, students at colleges and universities nationwide and the families of veterans who either perished or were wounded in the line of duty will benefit from their play. On behalf of the U.S. Team, The PGA of America will distribute $2.6 million to designated charities, the Folds of Honor Foundation and to colleges and universities chosen by the U.S. Captain and players.
Each U.S. Ryder Cup Team participant as well as U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain Azinger, are contributing $100,000 to the charity of their choice; $90,000 to the college/university of their choice for Play Golf America University programming; and $10,000 to the Folds of Honor Foundation to support scholarships for families of veterans who either perished or were wounded in the line of duty while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Since the Ryder Cup Outreach Program began in 1999, a total of $13 million has been donated on behalf of the Ryder Cup team and Captain.
The 37th Ryder Cup will be played Sept. 19-21, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.
“To have competed in the Ryder Cup and now serve as Captain of my country’s team are honors that will remain among the greatest of my career,” said Azinger. “With those honors comes another special opportunity of which I’m very proud. It is the chance to give back to the game of golf by supporting charitable organizations, to the college or university of one’s choice through the Play Golf America University program and to the Folds of Honor Foundation, where we can support the families of those who gave so much for our country.”
Since 1999, and covering a total of five U.S. Ryder Cup Teams and Captains, a total of 130 player-designated charities and 38 colleges and universities have received funding from the Ryder Cup Outreach Program.
Play Golf America University, formerly GOLF: For Business & Life, is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs.
Since its conception, The PGA of America has distributed more than $6.1 million to 65 participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, including $4.9 million (through 2006) on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. To date, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students through this program. In 2008, The PGA of America looks to expand this program and renaming this initiative “Play Golf America University.”
“We are preparing to enjoy one of the greatest spectacles in golf, and we already have much to cheer about before a player on the U.S. Team has even taken a swing,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “We celebrate the difference these players are making to support the future of the game, the futures of the families of those who have served our country so valiantly and to the countless thousands touched by wonderful charitable organizations. The Ryder Cup Outreach Program is a tradition by which we all can be most proud.”
About The Folds of Honor Foundation
The Folds of Honor Foundation is a legacy foundation designed to provide educational scholarships for dependents and spouses of service members who are either killed or disabled while serving and defending our nation. Patriot Golf Day, the primary fund-raiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, was created by Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member from Broken Arrow, Okla. In 2007, more than $1.1 million was raised for scholarships of families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.
This year, Patriot Golf Day was conducted during the Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) with Rooney once again at the front to lead the mission before he reported for a third tour of duty in Iraq as an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by the PGA of America and the United States Golf Association and has also garnered tremendous support from many of the country’s leading golf television personalities, manufacturers, media outlets and organizations.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry. The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
— U.S. Ryder Cup Charity Distribution Follows –
37th Ryder Cup
U.S. Ryder Cup Team Charity Distribution
PAUL AZINGER
Charities
The Paul and Toni Fund (The National Christian Foundation) $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Florida State University $30,000
Manatee Community College $30,000
Samford University $30,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
BEN CURTIS
Charities
Ben Curtis Foundation $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Kent State University $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
BOO WEEKLEY
Charities
Camp Compass Academy $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College $30,000
University of Alabama $30,000
University of West Florida $30,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
PHIL MICKELSON
Charities
Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Arizona State University $45,000
University of San Diego $45,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
HUNTER MAHAN
Charities
Alzheimer’s Association $50,000
Tee it up for the Troops $50,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Oklahoma State University $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
JIM FURYK
Charities
University of Arizona $40,000
Community Pedscare $25,000
American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand $25,000
Ohio State University $10,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
University of Arizona $45,000
Ohio State University $45,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
KENNY PERRY
Charities
Potter’s Children’s Home $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Western Kentucky University $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
JUSTIN LEONARD
Charities
Hope Farm $25,000
Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center $25,000
Camp Esperanza $25,000
A Child Who Can Do All Things $25,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
University of Texas at Austin $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
CHAD CAMPBELL
Charities
The Chad Campbell Foundation $100,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Midland Junior College $30,000
Texas Tech University $30,000
University Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) $30,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
STEWART CINK
Charities
Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett County $25,000
Greater Atlanta Christian School $25,000
Healing Place $20,000
FCA Golf Ministry $10,000
Cross Pointe Church $10,000
College Golf Fellowship $10,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
Georgia Tech $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
J.B. HOLMES
Charities
Breast Cancer 3-Day $50,000
J.B. Holmes Scholarship Fund $10,000
College Golf Fellowship (Central Region) $10,000
Taylor County Ministerial Pantry $10,000
Taylor County Animal Shelter $5,000
Kentuckyiana Inc. $5,000
Vineyard Christian Fellowship $5,000
Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation Inc. $5,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
University of Kentucky $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
ANTHONY KIM
Charities
Casey Lee Ball Foundation $80,000
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health-Smile Forward Program $20,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
University of Oklahoma $90,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
STEVE STRICKER
Charities
VSA Arts of Wisconsin $50,000
University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital $50,000
Universities (Play Golf America University)
University of Illinois $45,000
University of Wisconsin $45,000
Patriot Golf Day/Folds of Honor Foundation $10,000
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
The PGA of America
561/352-8963
jcarbone@pgahq.com
