LAKE MARY, FL (January 14, 2011) – The John Deere Classic, the Notah Begay NB3 Challenge and the Norma DiMarco’s Tee Up For Life charity tournament are the three finalists in the Tournament Service category of the 18th Annual ING Industry.
Hundreds of nominations from across the golf industry have been trimmed by sub-committees to three nominees in each category in the ING Industry Honors awards program. Winners in a dozen categories are currently being decided by an electronic vote of the ING membership. Nominees will be acknowledged and winners announced at the Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference January 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the PGA Merchandise Show in ClubING, Room 309. The ING Industry Honors committee chair is Holly Geoghegan of Golf Marketing Services.
Here are summaries of the three finalists in course design:
John Deere Classic
This year’s tournament helped raise $4.34 million for 500 local and regional charities – the fourth consecutive year the total has exceeded $4 million. The $4.34 million translates to a per-capita contribution of $11.57 for every person living in the Quad Cities, making it easily the No. 1-ranked tournament for per-capita giving among regular PGA Tour events. Despite its comparatively small population base, the John Deere Classic is one of only a handful of PGA Tour events to exceed $4 million in charity contributions.
Norma DiMarco’s Tee Up For Life
PGA Tour golfer Chris DiMarco created a fund-raiser for the purpose of curing childhood cancer. In his late mother’s name, “Norma DiMarco’s Tee Up For Life,” the fund-raiser has raised over $4.5 million dollars in 10 years of existence. Chris plays an important part of the success of this event as he attends many of the year-long meetings. His father, Rich DiMarco, heads the committee and his tireless work and philosophy cannot be underestimated.
Notah Begay NB3 Challenge
Notah Begay, the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA Tour, and his dad formed the NB3 Foundation in 2005 to improve the lives of Native American youths. The foundation’s signature fundraiser is a golf event, the NB3 Challenge, at Turning Stone Resort. It’s a collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of California. The mixed-team skins match included several tour players, and the money helped fund a $750,000 soccer field and park that just opened in New Mexico.
ABOUT THE ING
The International Network Of Golf is a 21-year-old, non-profit organization whose membership is open to anyone in the golf industry, related industries and media. ING’s mission is to enhance and promote communication and education in golf.
ING is kicking off its Third Decade Celebration at the PGA Merchandise Show with many activities. ClubING (Room 309) will be open all day for members and their guests, with morning coffee, Happy Hour cocktail parties, education speakers, product displays, celebrity guests and entertainment, and prizes and giveaways.
Highlight of the year 2011 for ING is the 21st Annual ING Spring Conference set for May 22-26 at beautiful Innisbrook Resort, a PGA Tour site in Florida.
ING exists to bring golf media together with representatives from all walks of the golf industry to discuss issues, exchange information and improve communication.
For more information regarding ING, call 407-328-0500 or visit www.inggof.com.
Contact:
Michael W. Jamison
mike@jamisongolf.com
407-328-0500, ext. 1
