A big “thank you” to Michigan golfers for helping Rocket Mortgage Classic make a difference in Detroit, raising $2.7 Million in 2020
Guest Column By Jason Langwell, Executive Director, Rocket Mortgage Classic
As a passionate golfer, a huge golf fan and the Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, I can say unequivocally that there’s not much better than summer in Michigan for those of us who love the game. Now, with the first snowfall just around the corner, I have the opportunity to pause and look back on what a truly unusual and remarkable golf season 2020 was.
Of course, my days navigating the fairways and greens are limited because so much of my time is dedicated to ensuring that the PGA TOUR’s annual stop in the city of Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic is a resounding success.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t express my sincere thanks to not only everyone at Rocket Mortgage, led by Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert and CEO Jay Farner, and other local companies who contributed so heavily toward reaching that goal, but also to you – Michigan golfers and golf fans – for continuing to support our mission under extremely difficult circumstances. It has been said that “it takes a village,” and that was illustrated beautifully this July.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic, a 501(c)(3), raised more than $2.7 million in 2020 to support local nonprofits, with $2.4 million of that going toward “Changing the Course,” an initiative undertaken by Rocket Mortgage, the Rocket Mortgage Classic and other key tournament sponsors to end the digital divide in Detroit. The pandemic has brought to the forefront some long-standing issues in our community, as a large percentage of our adults and children without reliable internet aren’t able to access online learning, telemedicine and so many other opportunities that others take for granted, and we are working to change that.
After a hugely successfully inaugural event in 2019 that highlighted the vision of Dan Gilbert to bring a PGA TOUR event to the city of Detroit for the first time and raised $1.4 million for nonprofits, we more than doubled that this year. How does that happen?
Bubba Watson stepped up to help us create a Wednesday charity match that raised $1 million. Jay Farner led an effort for the company to match all donations that day and contribute even more through the AREA 313 Challenge, while Delta Dental and DTE Energy also gave big to support Changing the Course.
What impressed us most, though, was the support of local golf fans like you. When it was determined that the Rocket Mortgage Classic would be a TV-only event, we gave fans the option to donate the cost of their tickets to our Changing the Course initiative, and the response was overwhelming. You made it clear to us that you support our goals and realize the incredible ways that golf can have a positive impact on local communities.
This year has been challenging for everyone but looking back at what was accomplished fills me with pride and should do the same for everyone who played a part in making the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic so successful. Thank you!
