Quail Hollow generates more than $1 million for charity

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CHARLOTTE -- Champions for Education, the non-profit host organization that manages and operates the Quail Hollow Championship, announced Wednesday more than $1.6 million in donations to area organizations.

As a result of the 2009 Quail Hollow Championship, $800,000 was given to Teach For America in Charlotte, $150,000 was donated to Levine Children's Hospital and $100,000 was distributed to The First Tee of Charlotte. A total of $1.6 million was distributed in the local market. In the past seven years, Champions for Education has contributed upwards of $11 million and assisted in providing awareness for various organizations.

"Since the tournament's beginning and going forward, our priority is to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of people in Charlotte and around the region," said Kym Hougham, Executive Director of the Quail Hollow Championship. "Thanks to the tireless effort by our volunteers, support from our corporate partners, the members of the Quail Hollow Club and loyalty from thousands of patrons, we are grateful we could do so again during these difficult times.

"We have a lot of unselfish people who donate their energy and enthusiasm each year to help us conduct this championship and make it an event Charlotte can be proud of."

Teach For America has been the tournament's primary charitable beneficiary since 2003. During that time, the organization has received more than $7 million from tournament proceeds to support its national efforts to expand educational opportunity.

"We're so thankful for the long-standing support of Champions for Education as we channel the talent and commitment of our nation's future leaders in the movement to end educational inequity," said Tim Hurley, executive director of Teach For America in Charlotte. "Their support ensures that we can continue our work to dramatically improve achievement levels and life prospects for students in our most economically disadvantaged communities."

This year, the Quail Hollow Championship also hosted Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence on Tuesday evening of tournament week. Over 850 people walked the Quail Hollow Club golf course and raised not only awareness but also more than $100,000 for two local Domestic Violence organizations. The event was organized by the Avon Foundation, the PGA TOUR Wives Association and the Quail Hollow Championship.

The eighth Quail Hollow Championship will be conducted April 26-May 2.