Schwab Cup ‘gives back’ to Sonoma

Representatives from 11 local nonprofit organizations gathered at the Sonoma Golf Club last week to receive charitable contributions from the proceeds of the 2006 Schwab Cup golf tournament. The money will go to support efforts ranging from building homes for low-income families to offering educational tutoring to disadvantaged students.
Leon Gilmore, executive director of the Schwab Cup Championship, handed out checks during a breakfast ceremony in the club’s ballroom. Gilmore said the donations are an example of the PGA’s philanthropic commitment of “Giving Back” to the community.
“Thanks to the Sonoma Golf Club’s hosting of the Schwab Cup tournament, during the past few years over a million dollars has been distributed to local charities and nonprofit groups,” said Gilmore.
David Grieve, the new Schwab Cup Chairman for 2007, was introduced and announced that the season-ending event of the Champions Tour has committed to giving a minimum of $400,000 to local charities over the next two years.
“The Schwab Cup is one of the top charitable fund raisers in Sonoma County and I am proud to help continue this effort,” said Grieve.
Among the organizations receiving contributions was the Sonoma Valley Hospital, which will use the money to cover emergency room care for uninsured patients and to help fund the hospital’s plan to offer digital X-ray mammography screening. “We are so grateful for the donation,” said Barbara Buss, hospital development associate. “While we still need to raise more money before we can offer digital cancer screening, the Schwab Cup contribution is a significant step toward that worthwhile goal.”
Another recipient of a Schwab Cup donation was the Sonoma County Children’s Charities, which helps fund several non-profit groups. “We appreciate the contribution of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in support of our endeavors,” said executive director Amber Behrens. “The donation will be used to build a new gymnasium for the Boys and Girls Club of Windsor, and will help the World Croquet Charitable Foundation provide a nurturing home for families with hospitalized children in neo-natal or pediatric intensive care units at Sonoma county hospitals. The Sonoma Academy will use this money towards their scholarship fund, which offers financial aid to 40 percent of the school’s families.”
The faith-based organization YoungLife was a new recipient.
“We are thrilled to be included this year,” said executive director Debbie Sweek. “The generous Schwab Cup donation will help provide dinner for children who attend our evening events and will help send disadvantaged kids to Summer Camp.”
Other nonprofit groups receiving checks were: The CommonBond Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Hanna Boys Center, the First Tee of the North Bay, Twin Valley Aquatics, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club and Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation.
Including the contributions from the Schwab Cup tournament, donations from PGA golf tournaments have contributed over $1 billion to nonprofit and charitable organizations nationwide.
Looking ahead to next year, Grieve, president of a local investment firm and past Sonoma Golf Club champion, said he hopes to expand the wine festival to build on the success of last year, when picture-perfect conditions and an all-star field drew a record number of spectators.
“My wife and I have been very involved in local charitable events, plus I love golf,” he said. “When the PGA asked me to get involved, I jumped at the chance.”
The 2007 Charles Schwab Championship is scheduled for Oct. 22 through Oct. 28. Joining the usual stellar field of senior golfers could be newcomers to the Champions Tour and winners of the Masters, Nick Price, Mark O’Meara and Nick Faldo.