The return of spectators – and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo – are energizing the upcoming PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.
Tournament Executive Director Jerald Andrews on Monday announced the return of both for the upcoming PCCC and challenged local businesses and individuals to step forward again this year to support the tournament’s nearly 50 Ozarks children’s charities.
Speaking during Media Day presented by the H.O.P.E. Foundation at Highland Springs Country Club, Andrews’ comments came as tournament staff and volunteers ready for the 32nd annual PCCC. Events such as pro-ams run from July 16-26, with the Korn Ferry Tour pros to play July 22-25 at Highland Springs Country Club. The tournament has gifted more than $17.3 million since its inception in 1990.
“We’re optimistic that we’ll have a great tournament in July,” Andrews said. “Thanks to the successful rollout of vaccines to combat the pandemic, we’re allowed to have spectators. And businesses and individuals already have been lining up to throw their support behind our charities, knowing that their financial support will make a real difference. We hope many others will join us.”
Price Cutter Supermarkets is on board for a 23rd year. In its time as a presenting or title sponsor, the tournament has gifted 92.5 percent of its total, or $16,078,141. Dr Pepper is on board for a 19th year.
“I have always said this is more than a golf tournament. Shop local is our motto, and we try to practice what we preach,” said Rob Marsh, Vice President of Operations for Price Cutter Supermarkets. “I know everybody is anxious to get out.”
This year’s purse is $600,000, with the winner to earn $108,000. The Korn Ferry Tour recently announced that all tournaments will have a $1 million purse beginning in 2023. The tournament has been played at Highland Springs Country Club the past 31 years, and is one of three original Korn Ferry Tour events.
“We are thrilled for the return of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “As one of our original tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour’s schedule, we are proud to continue the tournament’s 32-year history and legacy of charitable giving within the Springfield community in 2021.”
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ROMO’S RETURN
One of the highlights will be Romo, who quarterbacked the National Football League’s Cowboys from 2004 to 2016, guiding Dallas to four playoff berths and himself earning four Pro Bowl selections. He has since worked as a TV analyst on NFL broadcasts, with the 42-year-old trying to make it on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Romo, who last July ended his PCCC entry after four holes because of a nagging wrist issue, could again be a significant boost for our charities. Sponsorships of pro-am teams, on-course signage, skyboxes and more will fuel their success. See the next few pages for details.
POPLAR BLUFF’S CARR VERNON AWARDED PCCC UNRESTRICTED EXEMPTION
Other than Tony Romo, the tournament has awarded an unrestricted exemption to Carr Vernon, a former standout at Poplar Bluff High School and four-time winner on the Minor League Golf Tour this season. He also has had one runner-up finish and 10 Top 10 finishes. A 2016 graduate and All-American of California State University-Monterey Bay, Vernon also was one shot shy of Monday-qualifying into the PGA Tour’s 2021 Honda Classic. He also has been sponsored by Sterling Bank of Poplar Bluff since 2017 and has advanced to the U.S. Open sectional through local qualifying in 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Vernon was 16 when he qualified for the 2010 U.S. Amateur and, in 2013, reached its Round of 32. He earned All-State honors as a junior and senior (state runner-up) for the Poplar Bluff High School Boys Golf Program, which in January was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
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QUOTES FROM CHARITY DIRECTORS
Kandice White of H.O.P.E. Foundation: “The PCCC has been a tremendous help to HOPE over the years by allowing us to give additional funds to local families for everyday bills such as rent/mortgage payments, utilities and gas assistance. Every dollar that is donated is just one more way for all of us to provide these families with HOPE during a difficult time.”
Susan Miles of Champion Athletes of the Ozarks, which assists developmentally disabled kids and adults: “In addition to the funds, the Price Cutter is a great opportunity for our individuals to use their life skills. We are able to reinforce work skills and strengthen social skills. We are meeting new volunteers and caddies. We have met individuals form several different states and even different countries.”
Jessica Blake of The Arc of the Ozarks, which supports developmentally disabled children through a number of recreational activities: “The Arc of the Ozarks is proud to participate in The Price Cutter Charity Championship to raise funds and awareness for our mission to support individuals with disabilities. The funds raised from the PCCC will benefit The Arc’s No Limits Summer Camp Program which offers children and young adults with disabilities an opportunity to experience a wide variety of activities designed to promote the educational and recreational interest of each camper. The PCCC is a wonderful event for our organization and the community.”
Chris Stark of Ozarks Honor Flight, which was founded in 2014 and transports military veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials and statues that commemorate past wars: “We have 14 members on our board of directors, and 75 volunteers who all work spending thousands of hours each year without pay, and with one overworked underpaid part time secretary. We are the nation’s top and purest charity with over 98 cents out of every dollar going directly to our vets. The remainder goes for rent, telephones, internet and other office expenses.”
WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES
- VOLUNTEERS: The PCCC is seeking to build its 1,000-person Volunteer Army. Volunteer Chair Sharon Alexander is leading the charge. Please sign up at pricecuttercc.org/volunteers.
- CORPORATE SKYBOXES ON 9TH & 18TH GREENS, TENTS ON 18TH FAIRWAY: These include covered seating and all-inclusive badges into the Jackson Brothers of the South Ozarks Club Tent (food and beverages).
- PRO-AMS & GOLF EXPERIENCES: The PCCC offers nearly a dozen golf experiences, including nine pro-ams, to be played at area courses such as Highland Springs, Top of the Rock, Buffalo Ridge, LedgeStone, Millwood, Fremont Hills & Silo Ridge. Most events include the opportunity to play with a pro, and all include a great golfer gift package, continental breakfast, lunch, on-course beverages, team photos, trophies & PCCC tournament ticket packages.
- MICHELE KISER WOMEN’S GOLF CLINIC & FASHION SHOW: It’s set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 12 at Highland Springs Country Club and features area PGA teaching professionals giving 90-minute lessons. A salad lunch and fashion show follow. Call 417-887-3400 to sign up.
- ON-COURSE SPONSORSHIPS: Show off your company banner in high-traffic areas or on bleachers, water coolers and so forth to help generate interest in your business, plus help kids in the Ozarks.
- HONORING OUR HEROES PROGRAM PRESENTED OZARKS HONOR FLIGHT: What a way to support charities and, in the process, allow retired and current military, law enforcement, first responders and nurses – and their families – to be admitted free of charge, with seating in a tent on the 18th The families also receive a pass to the Jackson Brothers of the South Ozarks Club food & beverage tent.
- $25 TLC PROPERTIES CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES – WIN A 2021 TOYOTA TUNDRA OR $10,000: Tickets are $25 each, with the ticket-buyer given a 1-in-8,000 chance to win a 2021 Toyota Tundra Access Cab, or $10,000. You also could win one of 125 daily prizes during the PCCC. The ticket also is good for a four-day grounds pass.
- GOLF BALL & CHARITY AUCTION presented by CPI Technologies: It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 at the Expo Center in downtown Springfield.
- $20 for Rick’s Automotive Raffle: You could win one of four grand prizes – a 2021 John Deer UTV, a 2021 John Deer tractor lawn mower, a seven-night stay for two at Vidanta Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico or a five-night trip for four to Outrigger Beachcomber Resort in Waikiki, Hawaii. You also could win you one of 100 Rick’s Automotive certificates. The ticket is good as a four-day grounds pass into the PCCC, either for 2021 or 2022 depending on the date of purchase.
- THE ULTIMATE PRESENTED BY RIDEWELL SUSPENSIONS: Win a 2021 Corvette Stingray, as a $1,200 sponsorship offers a 1-in-100 chance of winning the car and a 1-in-10 chance of winning $1,000 prizes. You’ll also receive many other perks, including air-conditioned seating on the 18th green along with clubhouse parking.
- NAMI NEON NIGHT RUN: The PCCC’s annual run is the NAMI Neon Night Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. It will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Missouri. Register at ACTNOWRACING.COM
- HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SGC Foodservice It is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 under the stars on the Highland Springs driving range. Chefs from across the area converge to deliver delicious foods for an event that includes adult beverages, as well as silent & live auctions.
- PLATINUM CLUBS & CLAYS CLASSIC PRESENTED BY USA MORTGAGE: It’s set for Oct. 6, with morning and afternoon rounds at both Top of the Rock and Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy south of Branson. We’ll also host a gala and auction the night before at the White River Conference Center at Bass Pro Shops.
- ROCKIN’ ROLL BIKE & MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY RELIABLE HYUNDAI: Music Therapy of the Ozarks is putting on its fourth annual event, set for Saturday, Oct. 9 at The Riff. It features bike rides of 5 miles, 26 miles and 40+ miles as well as a 62-mile gravel or 62-mile road ride. Register at WWW.BIKEANDMUSICFEST.ORG.