The PGA Web.com Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper’s impact continues 28 years after its inception, as the tournament gifted more than $950,000 on Tuesday.
A total of 47 Ozarks children’s charities received a combined $957,102 from the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, Tournament Executive Director Jerald Andrews announced during the Celebration of Sharing presented by The McQueary Family, held at Highland Springs Country Club. The amount increases the tournament’s overall gifting to $14,669,449.
“What a year. All of the credit goes to those in southwest Missouri and beyond who threw their support behind this important effort,” Andrews said. “None of this would have been possible without corporate sponsorships as well as individuals stepping forward and our 1,000-person army of volunteers. Best of all, the monies will help our charities meet their important missions.”
In attendance were John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts President and CEO Jacquie Dowdy, who represents the John Q. Hammons Foundation, as well as Rob Marsh, Vice President of Sales and Merchandising for Price Cutter Supermarkets, Charles Hamrick, the Web.com Tour’s Director/Business & Sponsor Relations, and representatives of all charities. The Hammons Foundation has held the Web.com Tour contract since the tournament’s inception in 1990. Price Cutter Supermarkets has been either a presenting or title sponsor of the tournament for 19 years. Web.com is in the fifth year of a 10-year agreement with the PGA Tour. Their support, along with that of Highland Springs Country Club, has allowed the PCCC to continue as one of only four original Web.com Tour stops.
“Price Cutter and all its employee owners are proud to be involved in such an incredible event,” Marsh said. “We have been blessed all 19 years to be able to help each one of these local children charities. We love how the money stays local and changes the lives of so many. We thank everyone for their hard work and participation.”
“We are excited to celebrate the contributions the Price Cutter Charity Championship has made to the charities around the Ozarks,” said Dan Glod, President of the Web.com Tour. “This latest donation is a testament to the hard work Jerald Andrews and his team put into the tournament and the strong support they receive from the community. As one of the four original events on the Web.com Tour, the Price Cutter Charity Championship continues to lead by example and this latest donation is proof of that.”
Andrews announced that $75,000 of the 2017 monies will go toward a grant program this spring through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The tournament received sponsorships from nearly 450 entities or individuals, and experienced growth and success in many events such as:
- Honoring Our Heroes Program presented by NRoute Enterprises LLC
- Golf Ball & Charity Auction presented by University Plaza & Copy Products, Inc.
- Habitat Home Run presented by Great American Title Company
- Harvest Moon Festival presented by Reinhart Foodservice
- Platinum Clubs & Clays Classic presented by USA Mortgage, a new October event
- Fourteen pro-ams and playing opportunities
- TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes
- Women’s Golf Clinic & Fashion Show presented by Advertising Plus
- The Ultimate presented by Custom Metalcraft and Ridewell Suspensions
“The PCCC is truly amazing, impacting thousands of children throughout the Ozarks each and every year,” said Bonnie Keller, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. “Our two Ronald McDonald Houses have been blessed by the PCCC for 28 years, keeping families of sick children together as they experience one of the most difficult times of their lives. We are continually grateful to all who make this stellar event possible.”
“The Springfield Cardinals are proud to have participated in the last 12 Price Cutter Charity Championships,” said Dan Reiter, General Manager of the Springfield Cardinals, who support the Cardinals Care Foundation. “The collaboration and spirit of everyone involved offers both great entertainment and a glimpse at the future stars of the PGA. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with so many outstanding companies and organizations to help better the Springfield community.”
“This tournament raises valuable resources for local organizations that are working to address relevant issues in our community,” said Danielle Conti, Executive Director of FosterAdopt Connect’s Southwest Missouri chapter, which notes that nearly 3,000 children in the area are in foster care as a result of abuse and neglect. “The tournament exposes hundreds of thousands of people to the realities that our vulnerable youth face every day and to the programs that we have developed to address these issues.”
“USA Mortgage is honored to be able to support the Price Cutter Charity Championship,” said Steve Kitrel, Branch Manager of USA Mortgage. “It is very humbling to be partnered with a group/event that helps so many children. The PCCC and those who help have such an amazing impact on our community, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
OTHER NEWS & NOTES
Next year’s tournament
Andrews announced next year’s tournament is scheduled for July 20-30, 2018, with the pros to play July 26-29 at Highland Springs Country Club. The Web.com Tour’s Midwest swing will include Omaha, followed by Springfield and then Kansas City.
Volunteer of the Year
The tournament’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year is Gary Hopkins. Gary is a 10-year volunteer who initially worked with the marshals but has stepped up in recent years to lead the On-Course Services committee. “He is typically one of the first people to the course in the mornings and is one of the last to leave each day,” said Sharyn Wagoner, Tournament Chair. “He also helps during the summer with the packing and distribution of volunteer packets and pro-am packages.”
PGA Tour cards
The PCCC helps determine the Web.com Tour’s 50 graduates to next year’s PGA Tour. Ben Silverman, the 2017 PCCC champion, was among 31 of the PGA Tour card winners who played in this year’s PCCC and was among the Web.com Tour’s top 25 money winners at the end of the regular season.