Tournament officials announced today that the 2014 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola generated a record $2.2 million for local charities. Organizations that received donations include the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee of East Lake. The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola has a long history of giving back to the communities where the event has been played. The events that have been hosted at East Lake Golf Club have now generated more than $20 million for charity. The 2015 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola serves as the culmination of the 46-event PGA TOUR season and is set to return to East Lake Golf Club as the FedExCup Playoffs Finale, Sept. 23-27.
The announcement was made by tournament staff, two-time PGA TOUR winner Chris Kirk and East Lake Foundation representatives at a unique networking event held at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves.
“Charity is the bloodline of everything we do here in Atlanta at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola,” said Tom Clark, executive director of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. “We are proud of our record donation this year which is only possible through support from the fans, our dedicated volunteer force, our staff and sponsorship we receive from the corporate community led by Coca-Cola and Southern Company.”
“The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola celebrates Atlanta-area charities and all the young men and women passionate about achieving their dreams,” said Ivan Pollard, SVP, Connections, Investment and Assets, Coca-Cola North America. “Coca-Cola is a global brand with deep roots in its local communities, especially our hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. We sincerely thank all those who helped raise such a generous contribution to the city.”
Annually, the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola is the largest fundraiser for the East Lake Foundation, the nonprofit developed 20 years ago to demonstrate that with the right combination of mixed-income housing and infrastructure, educational opportunities from cradle-to-college, and community wellness activities, an inner city neighborhood that had suffered could be redeveloped as a safe and vibrant place to live. The Foundation’s successful holistic approach to community revitalization is now being replicated across the country through Purpose Built Communities.
With the tournament’s support, the East Lake Foundation is able to provide programs and services that support 1,400 residents in The Villages of East Lake and more than 1,500 students at Charles R. Drew Charter School.
More than just money
Kayla McClendon was involved with The First Tee of East Lake for eight years prior to attending Tuskegee University last fall. In addition to her golfing skills, her interpersonal skills and her talent as a writer and speaker caught the attention of The First Tee’s national office. As a result, she was provided the unique opportunity to address members of the United States Congress at the Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C. She is excelling in college and has been selected to participate in General Electric’s prestigious internship program this summer.
More stories reflecting how the Atlanta community can benefit from donations made by the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola will be available throughout the months leading up to the tournament on the event’s web site (www.pgatour.com/tourchampionship) and social channels.
“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 and possibility takes place.”
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, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 27. 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, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 27.
Fans currently have three ticket options to enjoy the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola: a Weekly Grounds ticket for $175, a Weekly Championship Club ticket for $260 or a Good Any One Day Grounds ticket for $68. These discounted prices are available through June 15. Weekly Grounds tickets give fans admission to the grounds only from Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 27. 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 Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 27. In addition, 100 percent of the NET Sales from Championship Club tickets directly benefit the primary charity of the tournament, the East Lake Foundation.
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 through June 15 on PGATOUR.com/tourchampionship.
Fans are reminded that each year, thanks to our Proud Supporter, Southern Company, 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 2015 tournament will be played Sept. 23-27. In 2014, the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola made contributions totaling more than $2.2 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. Over the times that the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola has been played in Atlanta, the event has raised more the $20 million. In total, since 1997 the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola has generated more than $24 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.
###
