Monday marked a successful and notable day in the history the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.
THE ULTIMATE presented by Custom Metalcraft and Ridewell Suspensions is now sold out, marking the first time in the program’s eight-year history that all 100 spots have been filled this early in the summer, Tournament Director Jerald Andrews announced.
The program’s continued success reflects the continued strong growth of the PGA’s Web.com Tour stop. In THE ULTIMATE, a $1,100 buy-in means an individual has a 1-in-100 chance of winning a 2015 Corvette Stingray. The program also offers several other extras, including 10 $1,000 prizes.
This is the sixth consecutive year in which the program has sold out. It began in 2008 in the beginning of the national economic downturn and has now grossed $950,000 – a huge boost to aid Ozarks-area children’s charities.
“The significance is what it’s meant to charity,” an ecstatic Andrews said. “It generated cash for us when the economy was struggling. On the other side of the coin, it allowed fans to experience the tournament through an ultimate program.”
Monday’s news comes as number of other business sponsorships and advertising opportunities remain available to support this year’s 46 PCCC charities. Teams and individual spots also remain in tournament-related pro-ams.
Additionally, charities are selling $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes tickets, which are good for a four-day pass as well as chances to win grand prizes of 2015 Ford Mustang and $10,000 – along with daily prizes such as restaurant gift cards.
THE ULTIMATE’s success comes a month before the tournament tees off Aug. 7-17 at Highland Springs Country Club, with the pros beginning play on Aug. 13. The program’s sponsors this year is Custom Metalcraft and Ridewell Suspensions after a seven-year sponsorship from Drs. Keith Laferriere and Matthew Kienstra, known as the top facial plastic surgeons in the region. Laferriere retired this year.
Each Ultimate ticket buyer receives an invitation for two to the program’s pre-tournament party on Aug. 7 at The Tower Club; a $50 gift certificate to an upscale restaurant; and seating in The Ultimate air-conditioned skybox on the 18th green with snack food and drinks.
Additionally, a ticket buyer is admitted to a reserved area of the clubhouse for breakfast and lunch; a Ultimate parking pass; autograph from the 2015 tournament champion; and his and her Ultimate golf shirts.
The idea of THE ULTIMATE originated during a conversation between Andrews and one of his former associates from Greenville, S.C., where Andrews previously directed a PGA Nike Tour event.
Since then, the program has greatly benefitted the tournament and given golf fans a terrific experience. For instance, Bolivar’s Dave Berry was the winner two years ago, when he not only celebrated his 60th birthday but also won the 60th edition of the Corvette.
Prior winners were Chris Fuldner, Danny Downs, Dennis Marlin, Tim O’Reilly, Gary Walker and John Piatchek. Berry is still stunned about his victory.
“It may have been the fourth or fifth year and I had made up my mind when I said, ‘This the year I will say no when Jerald calls,’” said Berry, a newspaper publisher who noted all was going according to plan until hearing the specifics. “He said, ‘It’s going to be a 60th anniversary special model. Are you in?’ I wasn’t going to be. But I said, ‘Seeing how you are going to give away a 60th anniversary Corvette on my 60th birthday …’”
Berry drives the Corvette only occasionally. More importantly, he said it always feels good to have helped the tournament’s true winners.
“It’s just unbelievable how many dollars are going to so many charities,” Berry said. “It’s a good thing they’re doing down there.”