Salesmanship
Club, PGA TOUR Commissioner Announce Milestone in Charitable
Giving
DALLAS & ATLANTA – The Salesmanship Club of Dallas
and PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem announced today that
the EDS Byron Nelson Championship has exceeded the $100 million
mark in money raised for charity since 1968. This is not only
the largest amount raised from an ongoing event in Dallas,
but is also by far the largest amount raised by a single tournament
in the history of the PGA TOUR.
With the proceeds from the 2007 Championship, a total of
$101,537,845 has been raised for charity. Finchem recognized
this accomplishment at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta, while
the Salesmanship Club made the announcement at the Dallas
center of Salesmanship Club Youth & Family Centers. As
the Championship’s primary beneficiary, SCYFC uses the
tournament proceeds to support its programs for children and
their families in the Dallas area.
“On behalf of the players and staff of the PGA TOUR,
I offer our congratulations to the EDS Byron Nelson Championship
for reaching this historic milestone,” Finchem said.
“Byron Nelson left a legacy of giving, and it is wonderful
to see this continue through the good work of the Salesmanship
Club.”
”We want to thank the PGA TOUR and especially the TOUR
players, our title sponsor EDS, and the many sponsors and
fans who have supported our Championship over the last 40
years. They helped us reach this incredible milestone in charitable
giving,” said Mac Wesson, president of the Salesmanship
Club of Dallas, the host organization of the Championship.
“This tremendous support has enabled us to serve thousands
of underprivileged children and families in the greater Dallas
area and it has ensured that Byron Nelson’s work for
the kids will continue.”
“Raising $100 million is a remarkable achievement and
EDS salutes the tireless efforts of the Salesmanship Club
in reaching this milestone,” said Ron Rittenmeyer, EDS
president and chief executive officer. “We also recognize
that the tournament is not just about raising money, equally
important is how that money is spent. The Salesmanship Club
has built a world-class program that focuses on the needs
of children and families in the Dallas area – with an
outreach that impacts other regions of the nation as well.”
Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers has been the recipient
of the funds raised at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship since
the tournament began in 1968. SCYFC has provided intensive
and innovative mental health and education services for more
than 35,000 at-risk children and families over the years.
Current mental health programs include family therapy, intensive
treatment for troubled adolescents, parent training and child
assessment services. Education programs are highlighted by
an exemplary laboratory school providing innovative teaching
approaches to inner-city kids, an institute providing training
and consultation with public schools and a hands-on earth
science education program for public school students at SCYFC’s
camp in east Texas. SCYFC’s broader mission is to impact
children and families on a larger scale by sharing new approaches
with other educators, mental health professionals and human
service organizations.
“The incredible support provided by the EDS Byron Nelson
Championship has enabled our programs to serve thousands of
children and family members regardless of their income,”
said Dr. Kent Skipper, SCYFC executive director. “We
are deeply grateful to the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and
the many companies and individuals that have made this tournament
so successful. Thanks to this great annual event, we will
continue to seek new effective approaches to help at-risk
and troubled children.”
The EDS Byron Nelson Championship, successor to the Dallas
Open, was launched in 1968 as the first PGA TOUR tournament
named for a professional golfer. The charitable contribution
to the SCYFC in 1968 was $10,000 while the 2007 championship
last April contributed $6.4 million.
About the EDS Byron Nelson Championship
The EDS Byron Nelson Championship, a premiere PGA TOUR event
since 1968, has raised more money for charity than any other
stop on the PGA TOUR. The late Byron Nelson’s work for
the kids continues through the Championship’s main charity
beneficiary, Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of
children and their families in the greater Dallas area. Learn
more at www.byronnelson.pgatour.com.
About Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers
Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers is a nonprofit
organization that is helping transform children’s futures
and creating new possibilities for success through its education
and mental health treatment programs. More than 5,000 children
and families were served last year. These direct services
are extended through professional training and consultation
with other educators, human service professionals and organizations
to help many more young people indirectly. Learn more at www.salesmanshipclub.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2007
For more information, contact:
Tracy Cobb
Director of Communications
Salesmanship Club of Dallas
(214) 742-3896 or tcobb@scdallas.org
Malinda Mason Miller
Director of Communications
Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers
(214) 915-4756 or mmiller@salesmanshipclub.org
