U.S. Bank Champ. names new charity beneficiary

text size

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, one of the highest rated pediatric centers in the country, has been named a major beneficiary of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, as announced by the tournament's Board of Directors.

The U.S. Bank Championship is Wisconsin's premier golf event and the region's only permanent PGA TOUR stop. The not-for-profit event has donated millions of dollars to Wisconsin charities over the course of its 42-year history including contributions of more than $5 million over the past 10 years, since the tournament's return to the summer golf schedule.

In 2008, the U.S. Bank Championship donated $525,000 to various worthy causes in the city and state. "We are proud to announce today the beginning of what we hope will be a long-running relationship with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin," said Paul Knoebel, President of the U.S. Bank Championship's Board of Directors.

"Children's Hospital cares for some of the most fragile infants and children and, as such, plays an important and unique role in our community," Knoebel continued. "Everyone involved with the U.S. Bank Championship is proud and excited to know that such a worthy cause will be a major beneficiary of our efforts."

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is rated No. 3 in the nation by Parents magazine and is recognized as one of America's Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital has been designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a national honor that recognizes nursing excellence.

Because more children and families count on Children's Hospital each year, the hospital will open a 12-story, 425,000-square-foot expansion in spring 2009. "We are honored to receive this wonderful news from the U.S. Bank Championship," said Peggy Troy, RN, MSN, president and CEO of Children's Hospital and Health System.

"This unique partnership brings together two organizations invested in our community to team up for kids and their families in Wisconsin. The event will support our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, rated fifth in the nation by Parents magazine, where we treat the tiniest of babies. In this state-of-the-art, Level III, 41-bed unit, more than 600 infants with various health problems are cared for each year. We look forward to this great event in our community and creating a longstanding partnership," Troy said.

"Highlighting the U.S. Bank Championship's new partnership with Children's Hospital is a great way to begin the new year," said Tournament Director Dan Croak. "The 2009 PGA TOUR season is under way, and even though it's still winter here, it's never too early to start thinking about the great golf coming our way in July," Croak said.

"We at the tournament see this new relationship with Children's Hospital as an extremely important step in our planning for the future of this event," continued Croak. "We know that both the business and golf communities of Milwaukee and Wisconsin will recognize the unique opportunities that the link between these two important local institutions brings."

"We are delighted the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has been chosen by the U.S. Bank Championship as its primary charity," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "The U.S. Bank Championship has been a leader in charitable giving over the years, and these efforts will continue, impacting the lives of young people."