Nationwide Tour Players Cup

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. - The non-profit organization that operates the Pete Dye West Virginia Classic Golf Tournament announced today that it will make a contribution totaling $100,000 to seven West Virginia charities.

West Virginia Golf Charities, the 501(c)(3) organization that oversees tournament operation and production, was recognized in November by the PGA TOUR as the most outstanding first-year tournament for its production of the first Pete Dye West Virginia Classic in July. The PGA TOUR noted that the premiere event's attendance, media response and revenues available for charitable contribution made it a standout event.

As part of its affiliation status, PGA TOUR tournaments are required to contribute to regional charities any available funds from tournament revenue received. The PGA TOUR operates the "Giving Back: The Heart of the PGA TOUR" program to mandate a commitment to charity.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Timothy W. Finchem describes the organization's commitment to charity as "one of our greatest strengths and one that sets us apart from other sports." PGA TOUR charitable contributions have totaled nearly $740 million since the organization began its giving practices in 1938. 

West Virginia Golf Charities has designated the following non-profit organizations to benefit from the contribution:

Genesis Youth Crisis Center, Inc
Genesis Youth Crisis Center is a safe haven for children in West Virginia who are victimized by neglect and abuse.  The center provides a safe and structured environment in which children can receive the care and support that they have been denied.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern West Virginia
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern West Virginia grants the wishes of many children with life-threatening medical conditions in order to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Medbrook Children's Charity
Medbrook Children's Charity strives to improve the lives of local underprivileged children by distributing its funds to these disadvantaged children.  By assisting these children, Medbrook Children's Charity is investing in their futures as well as the future of the community itself.

Pediatric Cancer Center & Research Fund
The Pediatric Cancer Center & Research Fund was set up to ensure that children who are diagnosed with cancer in West Virginia have the resources available to fight the disease.  This means providing state-of-the-art medical care, as well as psychological and social support for patients and their families.

Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation, Inc
The Robert H. Mollohan Foundation was created to improve the lives of West Virginia natives through its educational, scientific and charitable programs.  The Foundation strives to give gifted young students in West Virginia the opportunity to enhance their future through scholarships, internships and community grants.

United Health Foundation / Camp Catch Your Breath
United Health Foundation/Camp Catch Your Breath is an annual camp in West Virginia for children who do not have the opportunity to attend other camps. They are taught self-monitoring skills to deal with asthma, while sharing their experiences, emotions and feelings with others.

West Virginia Golf Foundation / Campbell Scholarship
West Virginia Golf Foundation/Campbell Scholarship strives to provide access to golf facilities to children who have not been exposed to the game nor had the opportunity to take part.  

"We are delighted that in our first year we can make such a significant contribution to charities throughout West Virginia," said Rick Slater, West Virginia Golf Charities Board of Directors. "The benefit of bringing this event to West Virginia is tremendous. From contributing needed funding to these significant charities to providing a credible and highly regarded golf event, the Pete Dye West Virginia Classic continues to be an important force of change in our state."

Positioning West Virginia in the international spotlight, the Pete Dye West Virginia Classic Presented by the National Mining Association, included four days of tournament play telecast live on The Golf Channel for two-and-a-half hours per day. The Golf Channel offers more than 60 million subscribers worldwide.  The live telecast was replayed each day during varying timeslots and the second and fourth rounds were replayed again following the tournament for a total of 17.5 repeated hours of exposure.

The first-year tournament also drew more than 30,000 spectators and more than 400 volunteers throughout the four days of tournament play. The dates for the 2005 Pete Dye West Virginia Classic have been set for July 4-10 at the Pete Dye course in Bridgeport, W. Va.