FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2014
CONTACTS: Chris Reimer, PGA TOUR, 904.273.3286, creimer@pgatourhq.com
Allison Ritter, Hope-Beckham, 404.604.2603, aritter@hopebeckham.com
Traci Messier, Jackson Spalding for the East Lake Foundation, 404.214.3596, tmessier@jacksonspalding.com
TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola announces $2.3 million raised for charity
Atlanta, Ga. – Tournament officials announced today that the 2013 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola raised a record $2.3 million for local charities. Organizations that received donations include the East Lake Foundation, The First Tee of East Lake and others. Since 1997, the tournament has generated more than $22 million for charity.
“Charity is a top priority at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, and we work hard every year to raise record donations for the local community,” said Tom Clark, executive director of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. “The charitable spirit of the tournament extends far beyond the dollars raised; it is at the heart of our staff, volunteers and fans who make it possible.”
“Coca-Cola is a global brand with deep roots in its local communities. The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola celebrates Atlanta-area charities to help develop young men and women passionate about achieving their dreams,” said Sharon Byers, senior vice president, sports & entertainment and community marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “We’re over the top with excitement for this year’s record donation and want to sincerely and humbly thank all those that participated in raising such an extraordinary amount for our city.”
Annually, the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola is the largest fundraiser for the East Lake Foundation, the nonprofit organization that led the community revitalization of the East Lake community. The East Lake Foundation incorporates mixed-income housing, a cradle-to-college educational pipeline, and community wellness programs, serving as the lead organization in the collaborative effort with its partners to sustain a vibrant East Lake. With the tournament’s support, the East Lake Foundation is able to provide programs and services that support 1,500 residents in The Villages of East Lake and more than 1,300 students at Charles R. Drew Charter School. This summer the newly constructed Drew Charter School Junior and Senior Academy will open allowing Drew Charter School to expand enrollment to include more high school students.
“The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola has provided instrumental support to the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee of East Lake, helping us to transform our neighborhood and build promise for thousands of youth and families served each year,” said Daniel Shoy, Jr., president, East Lake Foundation. “We are grateful to have a national spotlight to promote the East Lake community, where opportunity takes place.”
Donations from the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola have also funded The First Tee of East Lake, which supports more than 650 children from Drew Charter School and the East Lake community. The First Tee teaches children vital life skills through the game of golf and prepares them for the future.
The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola is proud to support both the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee of East Lake, which have influenced and transformed countless lives in the Atlanta area including Doug Peters and Kayla McClendon.
Doug Peters is a Drew Charter School alumnus and an East Lake resident who participated in the East Lake Foundation’s CREW (Creating Responsible, Educated and Working) Teens programs when he was in high school. Thanks to the community’s support system and programs, he excelled in school and was accepted at Georgia Southern University. Peters attended Georgia Southern for three years and graduated a year early in 2012. He returned to Georgia Southern to pursue his Master’s Degree focused on higher education administration. In 2013, Peters’ life came full circle when he returned to the East Lake Foundation to serve as a summer intern and work with his alma mater, the Drew Charter School. He is in the final semester of his Master’s program.
Kayla McClendon is a long-time participant in The First Tee of East Lake’s programs and has been selected twice to hit the ceremonial tee shot at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. When she was selected to hit the ceremonial tee shot in 2011, she said the lessons she learned on East Lake’s Charlie Yates Golf Course “have transformed my life.” Through her time at The First Tee, McClendon gained the courage and confidence to travel the United States, attend law, engineering and NASA camps and give back to the community by serving as a math tutor. She is in her final months as a high school student.
Fans have a limited time to take advantage of two special ticket offers: a Weekly Grounds ticket for $125 ($160 value) or a Weekly Championship Club ticket for $225 ($300 value). Weekly Grounds tickets give fans admission to the grounds only from Thursday, September 10 – Sunday, September 14. Weekly Championship Club tickets offer admission to the grounds and to a venue with climate-controlled indoor seating, an upgraded concession menu, premium bar and an outdoor patio overlooking the 17th fairway, from Thursday, September 10 – Sunday, September 14.
All Weekly Grounds ticket purchasers will receive a $20 gift card to any PGA TOUR Superstore. If fans upgrade to the Weekly Championship Club ticket they will receive a dozen Bridgestone golf clubs adorned with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola logo, in addition to a $20 gift card to any PGA TOUR Superstore. Both ticket offers are available from March 3 – April 4 on PGATOUR.com/tourchampionship.
Fans are reminded that each year, youth 18 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit PGATOUR.com/tourchampionship.
About the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola
The top 30 players in FedExCup points after the BMW Championship qualify for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, the finale of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. FedExCup points are reset prior to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, ensuring a real shootout as all 30 players in the field will have a mathematical chance of winning the FedExCup with a victory at the event. The TOUR Championship is annually contested at Atlanta’s renowned East Lake Golf Club, the formative home of the legendary Bobby Jones. The 2014 tournament will be played Sept.10-14. In 2013, the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola made contributions totaling more than $2.3 million to charities and proudly supports the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee. The tournament is the number one annual fundraiser for the East Lake Foundation. Since 1997 the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola has generated more than $22 million to charity, both locally and nationwide.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
