By: Fred Altvater
The World Golf Foundation tracks the amount of money generated for charitable causes every year from golf related activities. Local outings, tournaments and pro-am events raise nearly $4 Billion annually.
The PGA Tour boasts that they have generated over $2 Billion in charitable donations, since the tour started tracking their generosity. In actuality, the PGA Tour and LPGA combine to contribute over $200 million to charity every year.
The general golfing public is responsible for the other $3.9 Billion and Pro-Am’s are a huge component of that number 
Golf professionals are required by their respective tour administrations to participate in pro-am events. Plus, it is an excellent vehicle for golf professionals to meet business owners and executives that are potential sponsors. More importantly these professionals are giving their time to play and react with rank amateurs, for five to six hours, to help raise money for charity.
Just last month Justin Leonard and Brad Faxon teamed up with Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Greg Norman and a host of other recognizable tour professionals, to raise over $1 Million in one day in a “Bahamas Strong” fundraiser, held in Jupiter, Florida. All money generated at the event was used to help the relief efforts from the devastation created by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
Two Pro-Am’s held in advance of the Senior LPGA Championship at French Lick raised over $100,000 for the Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Riley’s is one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country and provides its services to every family regardless of their financial status.
The Memorial Tournament held in Columbus, Ohio every year holds numerous pro-am events that generate millions of dollars for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in that city.
Every year when the LPGA Tour visits Toledo for the Marathon Classic, several Pro-Am’s are held which have helped generate a total of $10 million donated to hundreds of children’s charities in northwest Ohio.
Average golfers want to get up close and personal with the players they see on television and are willing to dole out their hard-earned cash to do so.
Golfers in general are a charitable bunch and everyone who has participated in a pro-am or charitable golf outing should be commended for a job well done.
The point is any golf outing or pro-am, big or small, helps someone in need. If you haven’t played in a charity outing, or pro-am what are you waiting for? Get out there!
