The INTERNATIONAL

The INTERNATIONAL understands the importance of giving back to the community.  Like the PGA TOUR, they are committed to making a difference.  Through many charity initiatives, and their participation in the TOUR's charitable giving campaign, they are doing just that. 

Beginnings
Since 1986, The INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES, the non-profit arm of The INTERNATIONAL, and Castle Pines Golf Club have donated over $10 million to charities throughout Colorado and beyond.  Our efforts have gone to help teach and grow the game of golf, better the lives of underprivileged children, open new doors for the disabled, further the education of children, and help fight disease.  Said Tournament Director, Gregory A. Vickers, "In tribute to the strong support of our sponsors, over 1,600 volunteers, The PGA TOUR and its Players, we are continuing to increase our charitable commitments and anticipate that INTERNATIONAL Charities, Castle Pines Golf Club and The Vickers Foundation will contribute more that $2 million to many outstanding charitable organizations this year."

Partners in Charity
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver
Since 1986, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (B&G Clubs) has been the Flagship Charity of The INTERNATIONAL. This amazing organization has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods in the metro Denver area to stay out of trouble, remain in school and succeed in life since 1961.  Helping children has always a priority of the Tournament, so this partnership is a natural. Every year, Castle Pines Golf Club hosts a two-day pro-am golf tournament benefiting B&G Clubs, which raises nearly $250,000.  During The INTERNATIONAL, the B&G Clubs help manage tournament parking and sells event programs, to raise additional dollars.  Currently, Gregory A. Vickers serves on the Board of Directors.  In 2004, Jack A. Vickers received the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver's Lifetime Achievement Award for his many contributions to this organization.

The First Tee
In 2003, The INTERNATIONAL Charities made a significant commitment to support The First Tee Organization and help grow TFT throughout the State of Colorado. With collaborative efforts from The Colorado Open Foundation, Colorado Golf Association, Colorado Section PGA as well as support from the national Oversight Committee which includes The PGA TOUR, The PGA of America, Augusta National, the United States Golf Association and the LPGA, The INTERNATIONAL Charities is helping expand The First Tee to include as many as eight kids facilities and dozens of program affiliate golf courses in the counties of Denver, El Paso, Jefferson, and Eagle. Together, the mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values such as integrity, sportsmanship and responsibility through the game of golf. Through The First Tee-Colorado Chapters, thousands of underprivileged children and young adults will benefit from several new golf learning facilities including City Park, Willis Case, Welshire, Green Valley Ranch and YMCA Pueblo. In addition, we will help provide inexpensive access to kids at affiliate golf courses throughout the Front Range.  In 2006, The INTERNATIONAL Charities and the PGA TOUR will also fund a roll out program for our First Tee in Schools Program where we introduce thousands of elementary school Children to golf each year through their physical education classes. 
The First Tee Facility at Green Valley Ranch is the newest facility, opening this summer.    The event will be marked with ribbon cutting ceremony during The INTERNATIONAL that will include former President George H.W. Bush and PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.  

Other 2005 Charity Initiatives

Denver Active 20/30
The Denver Active 20/30 Children's Foundation is a nonprofit service organization for business leaders between the ages of 20 and 39. Chartered under Active 20/30 International, the Foundation has over 50 members representing a diversity of professional backgrounds. The mission of the Foundation is to raise money for disadvantaged children through annual fund-raising events and projects. This year, The INTERNATIONAL Charities is teaming up with  Denver Active 20/30 to raise additional donations. By purchasing daily corporate hospitality tickets in Denver Active's corporate Tent or buying an event program you will be making a donation to the 20/30 organization.

Evans Scholarship Foundation
The ESF is a charitable trust, which provides undergraduate scholarships for deserving caddies, a concept originated by Charles "Chick" Evans Jr. and known as the Evans Scholars Program. Since 1930, more than 7,600 caddies, both men and women, have graduated from college as Evans Scholars Alumni.  Evans, who learned the game as a caddie at Edgewater Golf Club in Chicago, gained worldwide fame in 1916 when he became the first golfer ever to win both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open championships in the same year. Because Evans insisted on preserving his amateur status, he directed that any money he received from golf be put toward caddie scholarships. The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a one-year full tuition and housing scholarship, renewable for four years. Most Evans Scholars attend one of the 14 universities where the Evans Scholars Foundation owns and operates a Chapter House. This year The INTERNATIONAL Charities will donate money to the ESF and provide scholars job opportunities in association with The INTERNATIONAL ranging from caddying in the pro-am, to ecology to food service, and tournament operations.

The Children's Hospital Foundation.
The Children's Hospital is the regions premier center for pediatric health care, offering a complete range of health care services for children from 15 weeks gestation through 21 years of age. With over 30 clinical department and 150 subspecialty programs, Children's clinicians are dedicated to responding to the needs of children and their caregivers. Children's is presently working on a $250 Million campaign for the construction of their new hospital in Aurora, Colorado. On Thursday, during the week of The INTERNATIONAL, the Tournament will host a "Celebrity Day" at The INTERNATIONAL to benefit Children's Hospital. Retired and current athletes and coaches will donate their time to sign autographs and take photos with patrons of the Tournament to benefit Children's cause.  A portion of all tickets sold on that day will be donated to Children's Hospital.  In addition, The INTERNATIONAL Charities in partnership with AstraZeneca will make a $50,000 donation to the Children's Hospital Foundation.

Sungate Kids
Sungate Kids, a safe place where detectives and caseworkers can bring children who are victims of sexual and/or physical abuse or neglect or children who are witnesses to violent crimes.  There they can talk to one of two Forensic Interviewers, both of whom are trained in how to interview children in these kinds of cases.  In 2004, SungateKids interviewed over 700 children and assisted over 1,200 child victims of abuse and their family members. This year proceeds from The Saturday Series Pro-Am will benefit this worthy cause.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES AND THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SUPPORT, VISIT US ONLINE AT
http://www.golfintl.com/site/community/charities.html

Youth Programs:

Youth Day at The International

Youth Day is a special day during the week of the tournament devoted just to kids. In addition to being a practice round for the PGA TOUR professionals, the day features two golf clinics and includes free gifts and free lunch for the kids.

The challenge, according to Executive Director Larry O. Thiel, is to fill the golf course with as many children as possible. Ticket-bearing adults are encouraged to bring children ages 15 and younger to the tournament for free!

Youth Day Invitational Golf Clinic

This one-of-a-kind event in Colorado is a hands-on invitational clinic for nearly 100 children from various inner-city youth organizations in the community. The clinic is taught by Colorado PGA Section professionals who volunteer their time, giving children an opportunity to learn to putt, chip and drive a golf ball.

The purpose of the Invitational is to introduce the game of golf to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

The INTERNATIONAL Youth Golf Series

This is a unique and multi-faceted golf program designed to impact youth throughout Colorado by focusing on the development of golf for children at all levels.

The INTERNATIONAL, together with The Gold Crown Foundation, Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour, the Colorado PGA Foundation and many generous sponsors, has developed this summer-long program which includes hosting junior golf tournaments and clinics at golf clubs throughout the state with little or no cost to the children participating.

Juniors receive hands-on instruction from PGA Section pros at the clinics and invaluable experience in the tournament competitions. They also are given numerous gifts from the Youth Golf Series sponsors.

The INTERNATIONAL Pro-Junior Challenge

This Pro-Junior event is the culmination of The INTERNATIONAL Youth Golf Series and is held during the week of The INTERNATIONAL. 32 juniors who have participated in the Youth Golf Series events are selected to compete alongside PGA TOUR professionals in a five-hole scramble.

A committee chooses juniors based on academics, community involvement and achievements in golf.