The Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic have raised $8 million for children’s charities.
Despite the lingering economic difficulties facing all industries, the amount generated for charity matches last year’s total, and is likely once again to make the Valero Texas Open the top fundraising event on the PGA TOUR.
Funds are raised through sponsorships sold during the Valero Texas Open, taking place Thursday through Sunday this week, and the Valero Benefit for Children Golf Classic, a golf tournament in which 2,100 participants will play on Monday, May 17, at 10 of San Antonio’s premier golf courses.
Employees throughout Valero’s system choose worthy children’s charities to receive the funds. Since 2002, when Valero became the tournament’s title sponsor, more than $53 million has been raised for children’s charities.
“Once again, our sponsors and business partners have, through their efforts and generosity, come together to help us raise these funds for children’s charities,” said Mike Ciskowski, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who is heading up Valero’s efforts in this year’s tournament. “And once again, we owe our gratitude to the many volunteers who will help make the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children happen.”
Golf San Antonio, which organizes the Valero Texas Open, raises charitable dollars through its pro-am golf tournaments, the Birdies for Charity program in which nonprofit organizations solicit pledges for every birdie made during tournament week, and the Chip In for Schools program, which allows schools to sell discounted tournament tickets and keep all the proceeds.
“We are truly grateful for the tremendous support of Valero Energy Corporation and its business partners,” said Joe Linson, chairman of Golf San Antonio, the group that organizes the Valero Texas Open, “and we’re excited about the increased enthusiasm from the San Antonio community because of the tournament’s move to May and to the new TPC San Antonio.”