ATLANTA, Ga. -- The lifeline of a PGA TOUR event is the volunteers that help make it happen. Without their time, effort and dedication behind the scenes, PGA TOUR events would never exist and money would never be raised for charity.

THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola is no different. Over 1,200 volunteers will help the PGA TOUR stage its season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club in downtown Atlanta. Each and every one of them will walk away with a series of memories that will last a lifetime, but for a select volunteer group the experience will be more than greens, tees and golf clubs.

As the presenting sponsor of the TOUR’s finale, the Coca-Cola Company holds a unique place in the golf community, as well as a responsibility to the game and the communities that support it. This year the Coca-Cola Company has made a huge commitment to enhance its relationship with the PGA TOUR and the local East Lake community by increasing employee awareness of, and participation in, the upcoming tournament through its volunteer program.

This summer, the Coca-Cola Company worked hand-in-hand with the PGA TOUR to secure 50 volunteer positions for the four-day tournament that begins Thursday. Each of these volunteer roles were then offered to company employees as an educational tool on the value the partnership brings to the company and, more importantly, the East Lake community. The program received an enormous amount of interest immediately, and the first 50 employees to raise their hands were enlisted to help the Coca-Cola Company drive home its message.

In order for those employees to earn their tournament volunteer cards for THE TOUR Championship, they were required to do a day of community service in the East Lake area. With shovels, rakes and hammers in hand, this group teamed with East Lake residents and family and friends to refurbish local parks at The Villages of East Lake. Despite blazing summer temperatures, the volunteers worked together for eight hours to improve playground facilities, plant flowers and build park benches in the selected East Lake area.

Each one of the volunteers’ sweat and hard work earned them a spot on the PGA TOUR’s team this weekend at East Lake. It also gave them a sense of ownership and pride in helping not only stage one of golf’s biggest events in Atlanta, but strengthening a local community with a charitable act that does not go unnoticed.

“The PGA TOUR sponsorship embraces the many elements that are important to our Company and brands, including our heritage with golf and supporting our hometown community,” said John Egan, group director, Sports Marketing, the Coca-Cola Company.

The volunteer program falls right in line with the Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to the PGA TOUR, its golf sponsorship and the local community. This weekend’s event will continue its support of The First Tee, a non-profit grassroots program that promotes the values and enjoyment of golf to a new and diverse generation. Proceeds from THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola will be split between The First Tee of Atlanta and the East Lake Foundation.