THE PLAYERS Championship 2016 generated $8.5 million for Northeast Florida charities, it was announced last week at a celebration honoring the more than 300 nonprofit organizations that benefit from the tournament each year.
The total raised was announced by PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk and his family via video Nov. 1 at THE PLAYERS Charity Celebration, held on the back lawn of the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse and hosted by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.
“While giving back is at the heart of every PGA Tour event, it’s even more special to see the impact THE PLAYERS can make on the community our organization calls home,” Finchem said. “So many of our neighbors in need will benefit from this record year, and it’s thanks in no small part to the way the community rallies around THE PLAYERS.”
Much of the $8.5 million generated from THE PLAYERS 2016, officials said, will benefit local children’s charities, in keeping with the event’s commitment to generate $50 million for youth-related charities over 10 years. Since that commitment was made in April 2011, more than $38 million has been raised toward that goal. The event is dedicated to making a significant financial impact on local nonprofits that promote youth education, health and wellness, and character development.
“That $8.5 million is why our volunteers continue to work tirelessly each year at the tournament and why we look forward to coming back,” said Michele McManamon, 2016 tournament chairman. “I am proud to have been the 2016 tournament chairman and I can’t wait to see the tournament, and the dollars generated for charity, continue to grow.”
Giving Back Month
Following the announcement, THE PLAYERS’ volunteer leadership, known as the Red Coats, embarked on “Giving Back Month,” as the Red Coats visit a number of charities to present donations generated by the tournament.
On Nov. 7, for example, in recognition of Veterans Day the Red Coats hosted lunch for veterans at the Five Star Veterans Center, presenting staff with a $5,000 grant to support the center’s efforts to offer safe and secure housing to homeless and displaced veterans. Additional “Red Coat Rideouts” planned for this month include visits to the Pine Castle facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, North Shore Elementary School, and Topgolf, where the Red Coats will host a Nov. 29 outing for children from The Boselli Foundation afterschool program.
Since THE PLAYERS Championship moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977, the tournament has raised more than $84 million for Northeast Florida charities. The 2017 tournament will be held May 9-14 at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
