As well as providing world-class entertainment for the 100,000 spectators who poured through the gates of Wentworth Club last week, the BMW PGA Championship also raised in excess of £250,000 for charitable causes.
Shooting Star CHASE, the official charity of the tournament, will benefit from £60,000 raised during the pre-tournament Celebrity Pro-Am and the Championship week itself.
David Burland, Chief Executive of Shooting Star CHASE, said: “We were delighted to be selected by the Tour Players Foundation as the Official Charity for the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, and what an incredible week it was. We would like to say a big thanks to everyone involved, as the support of the players, the European Tour Wives’ Association and all the spectators during the tournament was phenomenal.
“Our thanks must also go out to our team of volunteers who, come rain or shine, did Shooting Star CHASE proud by collecting over £32,000 in donations from programme sales during the tournament.
“Thanks to their combined efforts, we were able to raise vital funds and also create much needed awareness for Shooting Star CHASE and the work we do to support local families with children or teenagers with life-limiting conditions.”
Shooting Star CHASE will use the funds raised to install a new wheelchair-friendly swing at the charity’s Hampton Hospice, and the remainder being used to fund a paediatric nurse in the Hospice at Home team for one year.
In addition to the funds raised for Shooting Star CHASE, a further £126,500 was raised for Children in Need through an auction to play alongside Radio Two DJ Chris Evans and European Tour champion Graeme McDowell in the Pro-Am on Wednesday.
The Putts4Charity initiative again proved to be a popular attraction in the TentedVillage, with a grand total of £12,330 being donated to SOS Children’s Villages by Genworth in partnership with the Tour Players Foundation.
The remainder of the grand total comprised of a variety of fundraising by over 40 different charities who were provided with inventory such as ticketing, hospitality and experiences to generate charitable revenue before the Championship.
Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, said: “Charity is a key element to the BMW PGA Championship, and we are delighted with the achievement of raising in excess of £250,000 for a number of worthy causes as a direct result of the Tour’s Flagship Event.
“Our thanks go to everyone who contributed to the fundraising, from the spectators, sponsors – especially our title sponsors BMW – and partners, plus the players themselves. This total would not have been possible without their total commitment and support.
“A special mention goes to the Championship’s Official Charity, Shooting Star CHASE. By appointing and awarding a number of benefits to this children’s charity, which operates and provides vital services in the local Wentworth area, The European Tour is able to continue our objective of supporting charities in the communities in which we hold events. Thank you to the Shooting Star CHASE staff and volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm.”
European Tour www.europeantour.com