GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- Buick Motor Division that last year's Buick Open PGA Tour event raised $500,000 for local charities. The Buick Open, held annually at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, has now raised more than $3.9 million for charity since 1982.
"It's a privilege to announce that we are donating $500,000 to charity for the second consecutive year," said Joseph J. Fitzsimmons Jr., brand manager of LeSabre, the presenting sponsor of the tournament. "The charities are more than just beneficiaries of the tournament. They are our partners and play a significant role in the success of the Buick Open."
Among the charities to receive money raised by the Buick Open are the Easter Seal Society of Genesee County, which raises additional funds through the sale of Buick Open tickets; and the American Red Cross Genesee-Lapeer Chapters, which provides transportation services for the tournament.
Other Buick Open charity partners include the Whaley Children's Center, which handles the "will-call" booth; the Boy Scouts, which provide sanitation services at the tournament; and the Grand Blanc Community Schools, which provide parking services for the tournament.
Other charities benefiting include the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, American Lung Association, Evans Scholarship Foundation, Flint Junior Golf Association, Michigan School for the Deaf - PTA, Mt. Holly Ski Patrol, Genesee County Association for Retarded Citizens, Genesys Regional Medical Center - Health Park, Hurley Medical Center Auxiliary, McLaren Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and CATCH, a charity started by former Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson, which raises money for children's hospitals in the Detroit area.
In addition to the Buick Open (Aug. 2-8), Buick sponsors three other PGA Tour events: the Buick Invitational (Feb. 8-14, Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla, Calif.); the Buick Classic (June 21-27, Westchester Country Club, Harrison, N.Y.); and the Buick Challenge (Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga.).
Buick is entering its fifth decade as the original corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour. The company has generated more than $14.4 million for charity through its four title-sponsored events. The Buick Invitational (since 1992) has generated more than $1.8 million; the Buick Classic (since 1990) has raised more than $8 million; and the Buick Challenge (since 1990) has raised more than $550,000.
The official car of the PGA Tour since 1984, Buick sponsors four PGA Tour professionals - Steve Elkington, Ben Crenshaw, Chip Beck and David Berganio Jr. Actress Cheryl Ladd is Buick's "Golf Ambassador" and represents Buick at golf tournaments, golf exhibitions and golf events worldwide. Buick is also a sponsor of ESPN's "PGA Tour Shot of the Week" and "Inside the PGA Tour" and is a sponsor of USA Network's coverage of the PGA Tour. Through its four tournaments, which are all televised nationally, Buick has donated more than $14.4 million to local charities since 1982.
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