Giving Back Month highlighted by four November events

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Tim Clark broke through in a big way last May when he made THE PLAYERS Championship his first PGA TOUR victory.

And like the talented South African, charities all over the First Coast region of Florida were winners, too. To illustrate that point, November is "Giving Back Month" and a select "foursome" of events will highlight the impact of the tournament in Northeast Florida.

First things first, though. The total raised for charity in 2010 will be announced on Monday, Nov. 1 during a ceremony at the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass prior to THE PLAYERS Red Coat Ride Out. Among those attending the festivities, which begin at 1 p.m., will be 1990 PLAYERS champ Jodie Mudd and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton.

Once the announcement has been made two teams of Red Coats, who are past tournament chairmen, and PLAYERS staff members will visit six selected charities to drop off more than $100,000 in grants made possible by the PGA TOUR's signature event and its sponsors.

Haven Horse Ranch, which uses horses to help teach life skills to at-risk kids, is one of the organizations that will receive a much-needed check from THE PLAYERS. Mudd, who cut back his competitive schedule in the mid-1990s, once raised thoroughbreds of his own and is a big supporter of the non-profit.

The synergy between the TOUR, the corporate community on the First Coast and an active volunteer force of more than 2,100 enables THE PLAYERS to consistently give back to more than 100 organizations like Haven Horse Ranch.

"We're pleased about our progress and excited about our partnership with the community," PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said last week. "As is the case everywhere on the TOUR, if a tournament is growing and successful it's because of volunteer commitment and support of the local business community primarily and we have both and always have. It's a great partnership."

Matt Rapp, the executive director of THE PLAYERS, gave considerable credit to the volunteers -- many of whom are extremely active in the community as a whole and return year after year to contribute to the tournament's success.

"They're out there; they're giving their time," Rapp said. "They're giving their money, they're giving their spirit and energy to things throughout this community, and THE PLAYERS is just one outlet for them. Obviously, it's the one that's closest to our hearts, but that's what they do. They give back."

Another of the "Giving Back Month" activities is the "Birdies for the Brave" tournament that will be held Nov. 8 on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. A wounded veteran or member of the military will be playing in each group competing in the event, which begins with a special ceremony at 9 a.m.

The tournament will also feature PGA TOUR pros Vijay Singh, Frank Lickliter, Billy Kratzert, Jeff Klauk and Bob Duval along with current and former Jacksonville Jaguars Tony Boselli, Josh Scobee, Maurice Jones-Drew and head coach coach Jack Del Rio.

THE PLAYERS -- and the PGA TOUR as a whole -- has a long-standing commitment to supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The organizations supported by the "Birdies for the Brave" initiative are United Through Reading, Homes for Our Troops, Operation Homefront, Naval Special Warfare Foundation, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The third week features the official opening of THE PLAYERS Boys & Girls Club of St. Augustine at 3 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 17. Champions Tour star Fred Funk will attend along with many of the 80 members who benefit from the on-going 10-year, $750,000 contribution from THE PLAYERS.

"Giving Back Month" ends with THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna on Sat., Nov. 27 on the Stadium Course. Runners and walkers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the event, which is hosted by Donna Deegan, a local TV anchor and breast cancer survivor.

The 5K, which benefits the Donna Foundation and Mayo Clinic, raised $35,000 last year that was later matched by second edition of the run on Mother's Day on the Stadium Course -- ending just hours before Tim Clark's victory.