The De Vere group, which is a PGA partner and has had a longstanding relationship with the PGA – including hosting the PGA Senior Championship and this week’s PGA Super 60s Tournament, handed over a cheque for £5,206 to PGA captain Jim Farmer following the conclusion of the Super 60s event at De Vere Belton Woods.
The considerable sum, which will be used by the Fund’s trustees to support members, has been collected across each of De Vere’s 11 golf venues by requesting golfers that play their courses to donate one pound to the fund.
The initiative was announced at the end of 2009 when De Vere announced that the PGA Benevolent Fund would be its chosen charity for 2010.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones thanked De Vere – and their generous golfers – for their donation, which will assist towards the £40,000-a-year plus contribution to members.
“Last year De Vere made a commitment that they would ask their customers playing golf to donate a pound to the Benevolent Fund and this is the first tranche of that money,” said Jones. “We’re extremely grateful for this because a donation of £5,000-plus is very welcome in these difficult economic times.
“It will go to good use as last year we spent over £40,000 supporting members for a variety of reasons. It may be via a grant to assist them or to those who sometimes have sudden health issues or challenges and need quick medical attention.
“We always need to keep the funds coming because we are certainly spending more year on year and so each donation is most welcome.”
Jamie Carroll, De Vere’s group membership sales manager, added: “We’re proud of our relationship with the PGA and have been more than happy to assist in supporting the PGA Benevolent Fund.
“The Benevolent Fund is key to us and we’re grateful to all of the golfers who have played our courses and have donated towards the cause. We’ve been keen to help and will continue our support of this worthwhile cause. The PGA are very supportive with us and we’re happy to reciprocate that support.
“We only began this at the start of the year and we’ll keep supporting this and hopefully as more golfers play our courses we’ll increase the pot.”
De Vere Group www.devere.co.uk/golf.html
PGA www.PGA.info