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PHOENIX, Ariz. -- FBR Open tournament hosts, The Thunderbirds, will contribute a PGA TOUR record $7.8 million to hundreds of charities over the next year, Thunderbirds Big Chief Pat McGinley announced Wednesday, Aug. 29. The $7.8 million in charitable donations represents the largest amount ever announced by a PGA TOUR event and is $1 million more than the Thunderbirds and FBR Open donated following the tournament in 2006 ($6.8 million).

"Since we announced our partnership with FBR four years ago, our goal has been to be the number-one ranked tournament in charitable giving on the PGA TOUR," said McGinley.

"We are very grateful to our title sponsor FBR, our many other corporate partners, and for the support of our golf fans, volunteers and the professional golfers that play in our event."

Since Oct. 2003, when FBR became the title sponsor of the event, The Thunderbirds and the FBR Open have raised more than $25 million for charities ($25,637,000). In its history, the FBR/Phoenix Open has raised more than $53 million for charities in Arizona.

"Being a good corporate citizen has the added benefit of also being good for business," offered Eric Billings, Chairman and CEO of FBR. "We are extremely proud to have achieved our mutual goal with the Thunderbirds of being number one on the TOUR for charity, and we couldn't be happier knowing that the FBR Open is truly making a difference."

The 2008 FBR Open, known as "The Greatest Show on Grass," will be held at the TPC Scottsdale from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2008.