TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Tucson Conquistadores, a nonprofit civic organization and sponsor of the Chrysler Classic of Tucson, have increased its total charity contributions to over $14 million. The organization was founded in 1962 for the purpose of raising funds for youth athletic programs in Southern Arizona.

Hundreds of youth organizations and individuals have benefited from the Conquistdores' successful staging of PGA TOUR golf in Tucson. The Tucson tournament was established in 1945. The Tucson Conquistadores assumed sponsorship in 1966.

The Chrysler Classic of Tucson is organized by the Tucson Conquistadores, Inc. a nonprofit organization which promotes interest in amateur athletics among youth in Tucson, especially disadvantaged and handicapped children. The Conquistadores began in 1962 and today has a limited active membership of 50 professional men and a total membership of 182 who represent a cross section of the Tucson community.

As part of their primary purpose to foster interest in athletics for youth, they donate funds for equipment, facilities and scholarships to organizations serving these youth.

The Conquistadores assumed sponsorship of the Tucson Open in 1966 with a purse of $60,000. By 1983 the purse had grown to $300,000. Through the combined efforts of the Tucson Conquistadores and the PGA TOUR, Northern Telecom became the title sponsor in 1988 with a $600,000 purse. The purse was increased to $1 million in 1991, $1.1 million in 1992 and $1.250 million in 1995. Chrysler Corporation became the title sponsor for the 1997 tournament, increasing the prize money to $1.3 million and to $2 million in 1998. Touchstone Energy became the title sponsor in 1999, increasing the prize money to $ 2.75 million in 1999 and $3 million in 2000. The Chrysler brand has assumed title sponsorship of the tournament through 2006.

The organization is dedicated to continuing the tradition of professional golf in Tucson and making it a great success each year. As the tournament grows larger, so do the charitable contributions the Conquistadores can provide. Over the years, the Conquistadores have donated over $14 million to amateur athletics.

One of the projects in which the Conquistadores take most pride is the City and County Junior Golf Program, which provides free golf for all kids 18 years or younger who live in Tucson. To date, more than 18,000 rounds of golf have been played in the free Junior Golf Program each year.

The Tucson Conquistadores are currently working with the City of Tucson to establish The First Tee Program at El Rio Golf Course. The course redesign is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in November 2005.

The Tucson Conquistadores are the Premier Sponsor of Special Olympics Pima County. The group pledged $150,000 to Special Olympics for this year to ensure the organization can continue to pay training and competition expenses for over 1,100 Special athletes.

Charities
Amateur Softball Association
American Athletic Association of the Deaf
American Basketball Academy
American Junior Golf Association
American Legion Baseball
American Youth Soccer Organization
Amity, Inc.
Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen's Fund
Arizona's Children Foundation
Arizona Fencing Academy
Arizona Interscholastic Association
Arizona Organization for Disabled Athletes
Arthritis Foundation
Arthur Pack Junior Golf Program
Avra Marana Soccer Club
Bobby Sox Leagues of Tucson
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
Boy Scouts of America
Candlelighters of Tucson
Challenger Little League Baseball
City of Tucson Junior Golf Program
Club Cactus Junior Volleyball
Dick Tomey Football Camp
Educational Enrichment Foundation
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Field of Dreams-Challenger Little League
Girl Scouts of America
Hope Community Center
Junior Golf Association of Arizona
Laurent Clerc Elementary School
Little Leagues of Tucson
Lute Olson Wildcat Basketball Camp
McConnell Basketball Camp
Mountain View High School Girl's Golf Team
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Open Inn
Pima County Junior Soccer League
Pima County Special Olympics
Perimeter Bicycle Association
Pop Warner Football
Razorbacks Youth Basketball
Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Program
Southern Arizona Junior Golf Association
Special Olympics of Pima County
Sporting Chance Basketball
Sunnyside High School
The First Tee Program
Tortilita Basketball Camp
Tucson Community Tennis Program
Tucson Hockey Club
Tucson Metropolitan Ministry Children's Village
Tucson Pony League
Tucson Youth at Risk
Youth Hockey Association
Zona Volleyball Club