Paramus, N.J. – Barclays today announced a $50,000 donation to PGA TOUR’s “Birdies for the Brave” as part of the “Chips for Charity” event aboard former USS Intrepid at Pier 86 in New York City. Professional golfer and three-time Masters Champion Phil Mickelson, Barclays PLC President Robert E. Diamond Jr. and special guests took part in this kick-off for The Barclays, the first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, August 24-29, at the historic Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
As part of “Chips for Charity,” Mickelson, Diamond and guests including wounded veteran Sgt. Jeff Combs of the United States Marine Corps participated in a golf skills challenge, hitting golf balls off the flight deck of the former USS Intrepid to a target in the Hudson River. Barclays pledged a donation for every ball landing in the target, for a total of $50,000.
A PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. program, Birdies for the Brave is the PGA TOUR’s primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since 2005, the TOUR has joined with PGA TOUR players and corporate partners to raise millions of dollars for military home front groups that directly serve military men and women lost or seriously injured in performance of their duty, through fundraising events at TPC clubs nationwide. Birdies for the Brave was originally created by TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to support troops injured during combat. For each birdie or eagle made by Phil throughout the season, a contribution of $100 for a birdie or $500 for an eagle is made to Homes For Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
Other initiatives to honor the the U.S. Armed Forces during The Barlcays include a Military Appreciation Day; free admission to the tournament for all active, retired and reserve military personel and their dependents; a Patriots’ Outpost presented by Barclays Capital on site for all military; and various honorary roles for military personnel during the tournament.
As is the policy at many PGA TOUR events, The Barclays is proud to continue the tradition of offering complimentary admission for active duty, retired and reserve military personnel and their dependents with valid IDs (Tuesday-Sunday). Free tickets can be downloaded by visiting www.thebarclaysgolf.comand following the link for “2010 Tickets.” A valid CAC ID must be presented with the ticket at the gate in order to gain entry to The Barclays.
In addition, The Barclays is hosting Military Appreciation Day on Wednesday, August 25. The day will include a ceremony in front of the 18th green between the morning and afternoon pro-am (approximately 12:45 p.m.) with the West Point Drill Team, Color Guard and Glee Club. PGA TOUR players Rory Sabbatini and Jimmy Walker will host at meet & greet from 2-3 p.m. in the Patriots’ Outpost.
Military Appreciation Day will also include 54 military members serving as caddies for each TOUR pro as they play the 18th hole of the pro-am in the morning and the afternoon.
These caddies will be hosted in the Patriots’ Outpost presented by Barclays Capital throughout the day, which is open Wednesday through Sunday to all active, retired, and reserved military and their dependents. The Patriots’ Outpost is a hospitality tent located adjacent to the 18th tee that offers military members free refreshments and a place to relax during the tournament. Food is provided by Chick-Fil-A, Whole Foods, Nature Valley, Jelly Belly and Applebee’s. BAE Systems is also a supporting sponsor of the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost.
During the first and second rounds of The Barclays, official starters on both No. 1 and No. 10 will be members of the military, giving these men and women a unique way to experience The Barclays – and meet the best players of the PGA TOUR.
For the third round, The Barclays will bus in cadets from West Point and host a reception in their honor in the Patriots’ Outpost.
The Barclays returns to Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., after a one-year visit to Liberty National in Jersey City, N.J., in 2009. Steve Stricker won The Barclays in 2007 during the first year of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Vijay Singh claimed The Barclays in 2008, outlasting Sergio Garcia in a playoff, while Heath Slocum edged four of the game’s biggest names, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington, to capture The Barclays by one stroke last year at Liberty National. In 2009, The Barclays donated $1 million to local charities, bringing the total amount raised since 1967 to more than $38 million.
Tickets to The Barclays 2010 can be purchased by visiting www.thebarclaysgolf.comand can also be purchased in the pro shop at Paramus Golf Club.
About The Barclays
The Barclays has been a part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1967 when Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event at Westchester Country Club. Since that time, some of the greatest players in the game have earned the title including World Golf Hall of Famers Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Seve Ballesteros, Hale Irwin, Curtis Strange and the new defending champion, Heath Slocum, 2009 winner of The Barclays. Many of the world’s current top players have won the event as well, including two-time champions Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia, and four-time champion Vijay Singh. As the first of four playoff events, The Barclays plays a leading role in the FedExCup, the season-long competition that is the centerpiece of the PGA TOUR season. In 2010, The Barclays will be held at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus New Jersey, on August 24-29.
About Barclays
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs nearly 147,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for 48 million customers and clients worldwide.
For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.
About Barclays Capital
Barclays Capital is the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC. With a distinctive business model, Barclays Capital provides large corporate, government and institutional clients with a full spectrum of solutions to their strategic advisory, financing and risk management needs. Barclays Capital has offices around the world, employs over 25,000 people and has the global reach, advisory services and distribution power to meet the needs of issuers and investors worldwide.
For further information about Barclays Capital, please visit our website www.barclayscapital.com.
About Barclays Wealth
Barclays Wealth is a leading global wealth manager, and the UK’s largest, with total client assets of $241 (151.2bn) as of December 31, 2009. With offices in over 20 countries, Barclays Wealth focuses on private and intermediary clients worldwide, providing international and private banking, investment management, brokerage and fiduciary services. For further information about Barclays Wealth, please visit our website www.barclayswealthamericas.comor our Twitter page www.twitter.com/barclayswealth.
Contact:
Chris Reimer, PGA TOUR, 904-273-3286, chrisreimer@pgatourhq.com
Michael O’Looney, Barclays, 212-412-5876, michael.o’looney@barclayscapital.com
Liz McCollum, Brener Zwikel and Associates, 813-421-0550, elizabethm@bzapr.com
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