BMW Charity Pro-Am

 
 
New Dates Set for 2007 BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs
 
September 8, 2006
GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 2, 2006) - The BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs golf tournament will be played May 17-20, 2007 - two weeks later than the previous six events - officials from South Carolina Charities, Inc., and the PGA TOUR announced today. The tournament - a record-breaking attendance, revenue and charity-raising event on the Nationwide Tour - will return to The Cliffs Valley, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards and The Cliffs at Walnut Cove courses. All four rounds will be televised live by The Golf Channel. "We've been discussing with the PGA TOUR for a few years the possibility of moving the date back," Tournament Director Darin MacDonald said. "We have wanted to do this in order to give the Bermuda grass enough warm weather to peak and create optimum course conditions for tournament play. I think everyone is going to notice the difference a few extra weeks of spring weather makes when the tournament begins." Although nine months away, planning for the 2007 golf tournament is already in full swing. "The growth of the event, which is clearly one of the top tournaments on the Nationwide Tour, has exceeded our expectations," said Bill Calfee, senior vice president of the PGA TOUR and chief of operations for the Nationwide Tour. "We look forward to a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with the community. The BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs is the leading contributor to charity, and that speaks volumes about what we're all trying to accomplish at every level of the PGA TOUR family." "We are proud to associate ourselves with such a special event," said Bobby Hitt, manager of public affairs for BMW Manufacturing Co. and chairman of the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs. "This tournament allows us to give back to a number of worthy charities and a community that embraces us. Although it crosses over a state line, we consider Western North Carolina to be a part of our community. It is very important to BMW Manufacturing to be a good corporate citizen, and this is one of the ways we do that." "The Cliffs Communities is proud to host such a wonderful event for such a wonderful cause," said Jim Anthony, founder and president of The Cliffs Communities. "The Cliffs Valley, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards and The Cliffs at Walnut Cove are three remarkable settings for this tournament - and how appropriate, because the beauty of this event is seeing the community come together for the benefit of those who are less fortunate. That is why we are thrilled to be a part of it." The BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs is the only tournament on the Nationwide PGA Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Nationwide PGA Tour professionals in a three-day better-ball competition. Amateurs, celebrities and pros will rotate between each of the three courses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the 14 lowest scoring pro-amateur/pro-celebrity teams advancing to play Sunday's final round. Celebrities will play once at each course on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The professional winner of the overall 72-hole event will take home $117,000 from the total purse of $650,000, which is one of the largest purses on the Nationwide Tour. Amateurs and celebrities will compete for individual prizes and cash donations to the charity of their choice out of the beneficiaries selected by South Carolina Charities, Inc. The first six tournaments have raised more than $3.7 million for area charities. For more information on the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs golf tournament; sponsorship opportunities or volunteerism, call (864) 297-1660 or visit the tournament's website at www.bmwcharitygolf.com.