by Max Marbut
Special to the Daily Record
The PGA Tour held its Fifth Annual Players Championship Giving Back luncheon Tuesday at the Hyatt. The event celebrated more than $21 million in contributions to First Coast charitable organizations since 1977 when the tournament moved to Ponte Vedra.
“We’ve put Jacksonville on the map using sports and contributions like the PGA Tour has made,” said Mayor John Peyton. “Events like The Players Championship let us show what North Florida has to offer. They are a great corporate citizen and have contributed over $20 million to the community. It is impossible for the government to do it alone. The PGA Tour has led the way.”
Last year the tournament raised $2.5 million, which will be distributed to more than 77 local charities that include everything from health care ($292,000) to education and youth programs ($1.4 million) to human services ($626,905) and cultural organizations ($82,320). Another $55,916 went to other miscellaneous charities. The Tour also handed out 29 scholarships to college students worth $174,000.
Brian Goin, director of The Players Championship, said, “The tournament’s economic impact is over 90 million dollars a year plus over 20 hours of national and international television coverage. The PGA Tour’s headquarters is here and we believe in giving back to our community. This is where we live.”
Fred Funk, the Players’ defending champion, donated 20 percent of his Skins Game winnings from last weekend to J.T. Townsend, the Episcopal High School football player who was paralyzed.
“He’s going to impact every life he touches,” said Funk. “We just need to help him out.”
Funk also said, “A lot of worthy organizations wouldn’t even exist without charitable contributions like those made by the PGA Tour.”
Recipients of PGA Tour contributions agreed.
“Over the years, the PGA Tour has helped us grow,” said Dr. Davy Parrish, CEO of The Bridges of Northeast Florida. “Through their contributions, we can provide afterschool programs, employment programs and dental care for young people who wouldn’t otherwise have them. They truly have the spirit of philanthropy.”
Patsy Vinzant, county coordinator for Baker County Special Olympics, said, “Their support makes our program possible. Other than the state, the PGA Tour is our major contributor.”
Ava Glicksteen from Learn to Read of St. Johns County said, “The PGA Tour has helped us for years. They allow us to expand our programs into the entire county and their support provides special materials we wouldn’t have otherwise. It makes a big difference in our students’ lives and the lives of people they touch.”