JAN 15, 2020
Leadership from the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic today announced more than $1.2 million in donations were provided to its seven primary beneficiaries, Birdies for Charity participating non-profits, and other charitable groups. Nearly all that amount, more than $1.1 million, was directed to non-profits within the city of Detroit.
The PGA Tour event was held June 27-30, 2019. The 2020 version has been moved up the calendar to May, with festivities beginning on Memorial Day, May 25.
Donations totaling $912,340 from 2019 to the tournament’s primary beneficiaries were announced. These include:
- $225,000 to Midnight Golf, which helps under-served young people transition from high school to college and into a professional career
- $200,000 to the Detroit Children’s Fund, which makes high-potential investments to expand successful schools, greatly improve lower-performing schools, and discover and develop talented educators to improve education overall in the city
- $150,000 to the Greater Palmer Park Community, a collection of seven neighborhoods around Palmer Park and the Detroit Golf Club dedicated to advancement of the entire area
- $125,000 to First Tee of Greater Detroit, which impacts the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf
- $100,000 to the Rickie Fowler Foundation, which handles the philanthropic work of Rocket Mortgage spokesman Rickie Fowler
- $92,340 to the Detroit Police Athletic League(Detroit PAL), which builds character in young people through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs
- $20,000 to the Detroit Golf Club Caddie Scholarship Foundation, which helps their caddies achieve their higher education dreams
“The Rocket Mortgage Classic gives us the opportunity to highlight the city we call home. We are especially proud of how the tournament is a vehicle to engage and benefit many local organizations and their ability to impact the residents of Detroit,” Rocket Giving Fund Board Chairman Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans, said in a statement. “We are thankful to all the fans and sponsors who supported the event and helped us maximize our work through the Rocket Giving Fund, which will benefit thousands of Detroiters.”
In addition to the $900,000+ donated to primary beneficiaries, $310,204 was provided to Birdies for Charity and other nonprofits. The Rocket Mortgage Classic’s Birdies for Charity program supported more than 170 verified nonprofit organizations, a turnkey program that allowed them to use the Rocket Mortgage Classic as a vehicle to raise awareness of their organizations and funds to support their missions. This program could be a huge boost to more organizations if they partake in the years ahead. The program is popular all across the PGA Tour and is free from any tournament administrative costs.
Note: an updated version of this story will appear in the February edition of the Michigan Golf Journal magazine, including some special opportunities for fans for only $15 per family of five.
