Charles Schwab Cup Championship

 Grapes are not the only things crushed in Sonoma each October, as wine country is also host to the best Champions Tour players on the planet, and each drive is ultimately "crushed" for charity.

The Champions Tour's Road to the Charles Schwab Cup is a year-long points race that has been staged at the exclusive Sonoma Golf Club for the past five years.  During that time, because of the support of Charles Schwab & Co, PricewaterhouseCoopers, additional corporate sponsors and thousands of fans, the tournament has returned $1.4 million dollars - including a record $400,000 this year -  to Sonoma County non-profit businesses and has had an enormous positive impact on the county's economy.

"The PGA TOUR as an organization exists to create the highest competitive experience for our players and return the greatest amount of money to the communities where we stage our tournaments," said Leon Gilmore, Executive Director, Charles Schwab Cup Championship.  "In what other job can you create an event for the best 30 professional golfers where thousands of people can enjoy sun, wine and food and ultimately all of the proceeds go to charity? That's what makes this job so incredible."

The $400,000 distributed this year is the largest single-year total for the tournament.  The two largest gifts were for the Emergency Room at Sonoma Valley Hospital and for scholarship programs at the Presentation School.  In addition, The First Tee and Vineyard Workers Services will benefit from funds raised through the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

"The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is a wonderful event that showcases Sonoma County and all that the area has to offer, through national television coverage on GOLF CHANNEL," said Sonoma County Board of Supervisor Valerie Brown.  "Additionally, the tournament provides an important economic boost to our businesses and non profit organizations".

The Charles Schwab Cup Championship will host its annual Giving Back Breakfast - "Celebrate Valentine's Day by combining a gift from the heart with the gift of giving" - on Thursday, February 14, from 9-10 a.m. at Sonoma Golf Club. Designated charities will receive their donations and be treated to a catered breakfast by tournament host hotel Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.

The Road to the Charles Schwab Cup will crown a season-long winner Oct. 28- Nov. 2 at Sonoma Golf Club in Sonoma, CA. For more information, please visit www.charlesschwabcupchampionship.com or call 707-939-4133.

CONTACTS:  Leon Gilmore, Executive Director, 707-939-4133, leongilmore@pgatourhq.com
  Michael McPhillips, Director, Communications, 904.273.3470, mmcphillips@pgatourhq.com