PGA donates $75,000 to Boys & Girls Club, First Tee of Benton Harbor to kick off 75th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- The PGA of America announced today that it is donating $75,000 to the Boys & Girls Club and First Tee of Benton Harbor. The donation is part of an overall four-year commitment, totaling $300,000, in conjunction with the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid. To date, the PGA of America donated $225,000 to the Benton Harbor community to fund the construction of new facilities for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor and its golf program partner, The First Tee of Benton Harbor.

"The goal of the PGA Foundation is to leave a lasting legacy in the communities where we conduct our Championships," said Ted Bishop, president of the PGA of America. "Our ongoing relationship with the Benton Harbor community, the Boys & Girls Club and First Tee of Benton Harbor is one of the best examples of how the PGA of America works to create sustainable, impactful youth programs long after a major championship. We have a unique opportunity with the Benton Harbor community and KitchenAid, the presenting sponsor of the Senior PGA Championship, to build on this legacy for years to come when we return to Harbor Shores in 2014, 2016 and 2018."

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The PGA of America maintains a national partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America and works with the organization to introduce youth nationwide to the game of golf. The PGA's donation will continue to be used to support youth development programming at the newly constructed Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor and The First Tee building located at Harbor Shores, host site of the 2014 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

"The PGA of America has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the youth of Benton Harbor year after year in extremely generous ways," said Brian Saxton, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor. "Through the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, the PGA has become rooted in our community and has been instrumental in furthering our mission of creating opportunities for our young people. Thanks to this partnership, we continue to expand our programming and reach more youth."

The PGA of America returns to Benton Harbor in 2014 for the 75th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, May 22-25, with additional visits to Harbor Shores in 2016 and 2018. Through its PGA REACH initiatives, a community-wide PGA initiative to improve the lives through the game of golf, the PGA will continue to expand its footprint in the Benton Harbor community with an emphasis on area youth.

"As a community, we are very fortunate to work with the PGA to host a major championship and introduce our youth to the game of golf," said Ebon Sanders, executive director of The First Tee of Benton Harbor. "With the addition of The First Tee Academy at Harbor Shores, our young people have a unique opportunity to learn the game of golf at world-class facilities with the tremendous support from the PGA and KitchenAid."

The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid is the most historic and prestigious senior major and features some of the game's greatest players. Daily grounds tickets to 2014 Senior PGA Championship range from $15–$35. For more information about the 75th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, and to purchase tickets, please visit SPGA2014.com.