ATLANTA (May 19, 2009) – Officials at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola announced that several Atlanta charitable organizations will take part in the recently launched TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ campaign– a unique fundraising initiative designed to improve the quality of life in the communities where PGA TOUR tournaments are held. THE TOUR Championship’s primary charities the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee, and community partners including the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Camp Twin Lakes, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Special Olympics of Georgia have been invited to sell special ticket packages to the tournament held on September 23-27, 2009, at East Lake Golf Club as the finale to the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
Through the TICKETS Fore CHARITY program, participating charities receive contributions based on the number of tickets sold in their name. One hundred percent of proceeds from tickets purchased through the TICKETS Fore CHARITY program will directly benefit participating charities, with 50 percent of proceeds benefiting the charity selling the tickets and the remaining half earmarked for the East Lake Foundation, one of THE TOUR Championship’s primary charities.
“THE TOUR Championship has always had a strong commitment to charity and through this program we are striving to amplify our contributions,” said Todd Rhinehart, Executive Director of THE TOUR Championship. “Additionally, TICKETS Fore CHARITY allows these charitable organizations to become aligned with one of golf’s biggest events and further our attachment to the metro Atlanta community.”
The TICKETS Fore CHARITY program runs May 19 – September 18, 2009, with tickets available for purchase through THE TOUR Championship website, www.theplayofffinale.com/tfc, or at major retail sponsors, to be announced at a later date. Prices range from $20 for a single Community Day ticket to $150 for the Weekly Ticket Book, which includes a ticket for each of the five tournament days.
“We deeply appreciate the dedication of THE TOUR Championship. Their generous support enables the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee® of East Lake to provide tools for thousands of children and adults to build brighter futures. We hope the new TICKETS Fore CHARITY program drives even greater attendance while generating funds that will strengthen our community,” said Madelyn R. Adams, Executive Director of the East Lake Foundation.
After 33 weeks and three Playoff events, it all comes down to this – THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the 2009 PGA TOUR Playoff Finale. In 2008, Camilo Villegas captured his first TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola trophy and Vijay Singh won the FedExCup in its second year. With a new points system this year, each of the top 30 players on the PGA TOUR will have a chance to claim victory at THE TOUR Championship and determine the 2009 winner of the FedExCup.
Since 1998, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola has donated more than $9 million to a variety of local and national charities – including $1.4 million in 2008 alone. Primary beneficiaries are the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee. Founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, the East Lake Foundation (www.eastlakefoundation.org) collaborates with public and private organizations to offer Atlanta’s East Lake residents opportunities to build a better future through education for children and adults, affordable housing, job readiness and connections with the broader community. Other cities seeking to transform their neighborhoods are turning to the Foundation for best practices.
ABOUT THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
ABOUT SOUTHERN COMPANY
With nearly 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America’s fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at http://www.southerncompany.com/.
ABOUT EAST LAKE
East Lake Golf Club (www.eastlakegolfclub.com) is the home course of legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones and permanent home to THE TOUR Championship. East Lake, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004, is not only a historic golf club, but a philanthropic one as well. The golf club’s founding corporate members have contributed over $20 million to the East Lake Foundation to help revitalize the surrounding community.
Net proceeds from golf club operations and THE TOUR Championship support East Lake programs that help families build a better future through education, excellent affordable housing, job readiness and connections with the broader community. Additional support is provided by foundations, government entities and individuals.
