The Barclays raises over $110,000 for local charities

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JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- While Heath Slocum took home The Barclays title, the real winners from the 2009 event were area non-profits, especially those that participated in the tournament's TICKETS Fore CHARITY"! program. Tournament officials announced the results of the inaugural campaign, in which 501(c)(3) organizations promoted tournament tickets to benefit their organization. One-hundred percent of the net proceeds from the ticket sales -- net proceeds exclude tax, shipping or processing fees -- was returned directly to charity: 75 percent to the charity promoting the tickets and 25 percent to The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.

A total of 114 charities participated in TICKETS Fore CHARITY, including 35 based in Jersey City, where The Barclays was staged this year. Through promotion of ticket sales, $111,780 was raised through TICKETS Fore CHARITY, with $83,835 returned to the participating charities and $27,945 benefiting The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.

American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey raised the most money of the 114 participating charities with $8,055 in ticket sales, winning an honorary observer pass to the 2010 event at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey.

"TICKETS Fore CHARITY was a big boost in this tough economy, and we had fun with it," said Marilyn S. Keyes, Board of Directors, American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey. "We involved our volunteers, staff and donors -- everyone had a great time seeing the best golfers in the world. The money we raised will go right back into our local communities. The American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey is there when you need us most, responding daily to fires, helping our soldiers, offering preparedness training and much, much more. Our partnership with the PGA TOUR, Barclays Capital and TICKETS Fore CHARITY helps us make a huge difference in the lives of many Northern New Jersey residents. We are already planning how to increase our ticket sales in 2010."

Second place, with $6,255 in total ticket sales, was the Jersey City Fraternal Order of Police, who earned a tee time at Liberty National, the host site of The Barclays 2009. And winning a pin flag signed by Slocum was St. Peter's Prep with $5,625 in ticket sales.

"In these difficult economic times, the Jersey City Police Department would like to thank the PGA TOUR for allowing us to participate in TICKETS Fore CHARITY," said Detective Ed Dolan. "This unique program has allowed local charities the opportunity to continue to assist those in need. To my knowledge, there is no other professional sports program that has such a dramatic impact in the community where events take place. The Jersey City Police Department has a saying when it comes to the men, women and children in our community: WE CARE. I now have had the opportunity to learn first hand we are not alone in our mission. The PGA TOUR cares also and for that we are grateful."