The 2019-2020 PGA TOUR season kicks off this week after a two-week break at the conclusion of the TOUR Championship. Six past champions of the Valero Texas Open are in action as they begin their quest to make next year’s FedExCup Playoffs. Our past champions playing this week are Kevin Chappell, Zach Johnson, Martin Laird, Andrew Landry, Brendan Steele and Jimmy Walker.

	Si Woo Kim’s four-stroke lead through 36 holes at the Valero Texas Open this year was the second largest 36-hole lead of the season. Brooks Koepka had a seven shot lead at the PGA Championship for the largest 36-hole lead on the PGA TOUR.

By season’s end there were 38 holes-in-one on the PGA TOUR. Two of those—aces by Si Woo Kim and Nick Taylor—were at the Valero Texas Open. The VTO was one of nine tournaments to have two holes-in-one during tournament week. Only one time during the season were there a pair of aces at back-to-back tournaments and that occurred at the VTO and Masters Tournament. The most holes-in-one at one tournament were three at THE PLAYERS Championship.

As you may have heard or seen recently on our social media channels, Birdies for Charity is now Champions fore Charity. The fundamentals of the program has not changed, but with the elimination of the “pledge” component from the 2019 campaign, it provides the opportunity to rebrand. This simplifies the explanation of the donation process for charities and welcomes donors to contribute to their charity and/or school program of choice without the need to understand or have an affinity towards golf.

If we told you that non-profit agencies and school programs could make 107% revenue from a fundraising event and incur no operating costs outside of staff time, would we capture your interest? Identifying fundraising strategies can be challenging as the costs to execute an event often exceed the capacity to raise $$$s.

Champions fore Charity is unique in that there are NO COSTS except staff time… and participating organizations receive 100% of funds generated and sometimes more with incentives offered, like a 7% match provided by Valero Texas Open and the Champions program partners.

Funds are generated by soliciting donations from individuals and corporations with the flexibility to pay in advance or to be billed after the tournament. Donations are accepted from anywhere around the world and are tax deductible, thanks to the Valero Texas Open’s non-profit 501(c)3 status.

Registration to participate in the 2019-2020 fundraising campaign for charities and schools is underway. All types of philanthropies, as well as, school programs like athletic teams, dance & cheer, science programs, PTA, Project Graduation and much more… are all welcome to participate. In fact, we had 234 charities from all over San Antonio and beyond participate last season. We look forward to helping more charities raise funds!

There are many benefits for organizations to register and participate:

	There is zero risk to get involved

	No cost to register and participate in the fundraising program (no registration fees nor merchant fees)

	100% of the funds raised through the fundraising campaign goes directly back to participating organizations

	By raising a minimum of $1,000+, participating charities and schools can earn an additional 7% match on what’s collected in the program

	Donors have a chance to win prizes

	Opportunities to earn additional funds through a variety of incentives offered

If you know of a charity or school that isn’t already involved, please encourage them to participate in this great community initiative. Champions fore Charity will kick off October 7. Click here to learn more and register your organization.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

It is with a heavy heart that we share the recent loss of two very dear friends, long-time volunteers and past Tournament Leadership Council members of the Valero Texas Open, Mr. Jim Roguski and Mr. Nelson Harborth.

We will miss their passion, dedication, sense of humor, thoughtfulness, hard work and friendship. We are going to miss how they were always there for others and lending support. Their passion for the VTO was evident with all of the friendships they had built with staff members and volunteers over the years.

James M Roguski September 10, 1944 – September 1, 2019 Volunteered 9 Years of Service with Refreshers

Nelson Harborth October 21, 1942 – September 6, 2019 Volunteered 19 Years of Service with Strike Force (aka Operations - Rapid Response)

We want to thank each of our volunteers for everything you do for the Valero Texas Open through your talents, passion and time. Sometimes we do not get to say "thank you" enough or have the opportunity to say it one last time.