from staff
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced Wednesday that The Players Championship has set a goal to generate $50 million for youth-related charities over the next 10 years.
That’s almost double the amount The Players raised the past 10 years for charities that included, but were not limited to, youth-related organizations.
Speaking at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, Finchem was joined by Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Chair Hugh Greene, Jacksonville Public Education Fund Chair Gary Chartrand, Florida State College at Jacksonville President Steve Wallace and other civic leaders.
The announcement was made just 12 days before the start of The Players 2011. The May 9-15 tournament will be played at TPC Sawgrass for the 30th time.
“We have heard the call by community leaders for additional support and an increased focus on the children in this area who need us now more than ever,” said Finchem.
“While we will honor all current commitments to the wonderful charities in this area that do not fall under the umbrella of ‘youth-related,’ going forward, we are committing ourselves with a laserlike focus on this goal of $50 million,” he said.
Finchem said he hoped the announcement serves as a rallying point for Northeast Florida to address the need to help children.
The Players has generated about $27 million for charity over the past 10 years, $15 million of which has benefited youth-related organizations.
The shift in focus will more than triple the financial impact on area nonprofits that promote youth education, character development, and health and fitness.
Since 1977, when The Players moved to Ponte Vedra, more than $40 million has been generated for Northeast Florida charities, including a record $4.8 million donation in 2010.
About 120 children and young adults from Daniel, FSCJ, Junior Achievement of North Florida, MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Metro Kids Konnection, Take Stock in Children, Teach For America, The Boselli Foundation, The First Tee of Jacksonville, The Players Boys & Girls Club of St. Augustine, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and the University of North Florida attended the announcement to represent some of the programs supported by The Players.