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Shell Houston Open's 2003 Charity Contribution Will Help Push All PGA TOUR Events Past The $750 Million Cumulative Level Contact Ron Vinson (April 24, 2003) - With the Shell Houston Open's 2003 charity contribution, the overall cumulative total donated to charities will reach an estimated $750 million - three-quarters of a billion dollars - raised since 1938 by the scores of volunteer organizations that stage PGA TOUR events, including the Champions and Nationwide tournaments. "The Shell Houston Open is the second largest contributor to charities on the PGA TOUR," said Shell Oil President Rob Routs, "raising $5.2 million for 300 Houston-based charities." "The Houston Golf Association (HGA) has a 57-year tradition of supporting youth-oriented non-profit groups with financial and material support, including this week's donation of 8 semi-tractor trailer loads of food for the Feed the Children program reaching thousand of children in the Houston area," noted Steve Timms, executive director of the HGA. "It is an impressive achievement by volunteers, sponsoring corporations and the PGA TOUR to generate ever-increasing support for non-profit groups providing everything from health and social services for endangered populations in our Society, as well as activities for American youth such as Boys & Girls Harbor, Junior Achievement and junior golf." "We are committed to lending a helping hand whenever we can," observed Gary Hill, HGA president. "PGA TOUR golf is the only professional sport in which every event generates funds for charity. The HGA, Shell Oil Company and other sponsors have helped us raise $31 million for charities through 2002 for just this event, including our record contribution of $5.2 million last year - the second largest on the PGA TOUR." The contribution information is compiled from PGA TOUR and individual tournament records, as well as from estimates for charitable contributions for this year's events. Historical trends from PGA TOUR estimated figures *PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour events 2002 - Annual charity contributions reach $72 million from PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour events The top PGA TOUR tournaments in charitable giving are: |