All Ticket Proceeds Will Benefit Local Not-For-Profits
ATHENS, Ga., December 8, 2009 – Local not-for profits will have the opportunity to add thousands of dollars to their bottom line thanks to an innovative partnership with the Athens Classic at UGA and the PGA TOUR.
The Nationwide Tour event is participating in the TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program, which has raised more than $4 million for not-for-profits in other PGA TOUR communities. The Athens Classic at UGA is scheduled for April 26-May 2 at the University of Georgia golf course.
Participating not-for-profits have the ability to sell event tickets and keep 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale. The University of Georgia will handle all transactions, but will direct all funds back to the ticket holder’s designated not-for-profit. UGA will even absorb credit card processing and distribution costs associated with the transactions.
“Every ticket buyer will be asked to designate a not-for-profit. We will process and manage these ticket orders, with 100 percent of the proceeds going right back to the selling organizations or designated not-for-profit,” said Tournament Director Dave Cousart. “If a not-for-profit can sell $10,000 worth of tickets, they have just added $10,000 to their budget.
“This is just another example of how the tournament is exposing new audiences to the world’s best golfers while providing significant assistance to the community and its institutions.”
A mandatory informational meeting will be held Dec. 14 in Foundry Park Inn & Spa’s Foundry Ballroom. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Participating organizations must be a registered 501(c)3. Interested groups can register for the meeting at www.athensclassic.uga.edu.
Weekly tickets purchased in advance of the event through the TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program will cost $25 and will provide access to all four days of the tournament. Tickets sold at the gate the week of the event will cost $10 per day or $35 for the weekly pass with all gate proceeds going to need-based scholarships on the University campus. In addition, all net proceeds from the event not generated through ticket sales will go to support need-based scholarships at the University of Georgia.
The Athens stop on the Nationwide Tour is entering its fifth year, with the first four being played under the banner of the Athens Regional Foundation Classic. It is one of only two Nationwide Tour stops in Georgia, the other being the South Georgia Classic in Valdosta.
ABOUT THE ATHENS CLASSIC AT UGA
The Athens Classic at UGA will be held at the University of Georgia Golf Course from April 26-May 2, 2009. The event will be operated by the University’s Auxiliary Services Department. The Athens Classic at UGA will be the only event on the Nationwide Tour that is owned and operated by an institution of higher education. All net proceeds from the event will support need-based scholarships for UGA students through the Arch Foundation. For more on the event, visit www.athensclassic.uga.edu.
ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE TOUR
Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf’s biggest stage. As the “official proving ground” of the PGA TOUR, two out of three PGA TOUR members are Nationwide Tour alumni. At the end of the 2009 official season, Tour alumni had won 260 PGA TOUR titles, including 13 majors and three PLAYERS Championships. Twenty-five PGA TOUR cards and $18.5 million were at stake over the course of 29 events in 2009. Recognizing the Tour’s growing stature, Nationwide Insurance has renewed its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and has surpassed $1.3 billion in charitable giving. To learn more about the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit www.PGATOUR.COM.
ABOUT NATIONWIDE
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
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Media Contact:
Bryan Harris
Jackson Spalding
(706) 354-0470
bharris@jacksonspalding.com
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