U.S. Ryder Cup Team Makes $2.6 Million Donation

On behalf of the U.S. Team, The PGA of America will distribute $2.6 million to designated charities, the Folds of Honor Foundation and to colleges and universities chosen by the U.S. Captain and players.

Each U.S. Ryder Cup Team participant as well as U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain Paul Azinger are contributing $100,000 to the charity of their choice; $90,000 to the college/university of their choice for Play Golf America University programming; and $10,000 to the Folds of Honor Foundation to support scholarships for families of veterans who either perished or were wounded in the line of duty while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Since the Ryder Cup Outreach Program began in 1999, a total of $13 million has been donated on behalf of the Ryder Cup team and Captain.

"To have competed in the Ryder Cup and now serve as Captain of my country's team are honors that will remain among the greatest of my career," said Azinger. "With those honors comes another special opportunity of which I'm very proud. It is the chance to give back to the game of golf by supporting charitable organizations, to the college or university of one's choice through the Play Golf America University program and to the Folds of Honor Foundation, where we can support the families of those who gave so much for our country."

Since 1999, and covering a total of five U.S. Ryder Cup Teams and Captains, a total of 130 player-designated charities and 38 colleges and universities have received funding from the Ryder Cup Outreach Program.

Play Golf America University, formerly GOLF: For Business & Life, is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs.

Since its conception, the PGA of America has distributed more than $6.1 million to 65 participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, including $4.9 million (through 2006) on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. To date, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students through this program. In 2008, The PGA of America looks to expand this program and renaming this initiative "Play Golf America University."

"We are preparing to enjoy one of the greatest spectacles in golf, and we already have much to cheer about before a player on the U.S. Team has even taken a swing," said PGA of America president Brian Whitcomb. "We celebrate the difference these players are making to support the future of the game, the futures of the families of those who have served our country so valiantly and to the countless thousands touched by wonderful charitable organizations. The Ryder Cup Outreach Program is a tradition by which we all can be most proud."