IMPACTING THE LIVES OF MORE THAN 100,000 CHILDREN
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL — The Honda Classic is awarding a record-setting $6.45 million to more than 100 South Florida philanthropic organizations in 2022, shattering the previous record of $5.35 million that was set pre-pandemic in 2020.
The 25% increase allows The Honda Classic to surpass $61.7 million in charitable contributions as American Honda approaches its 42nd year as title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event, including almost $46 million in the 16 years since Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. became the host organization and moved the event to PGA National Resort and Spa.
The tournament has set records 15 of the past 16 years, its rapid growth slowed only by the Coronavirus pandemic in 2021 when it injected $5.1 million into the local community, $250,000 short of a record.
The 2022 charity distribution, which is taking place during Honda Classic Cares Week June 6-10, includes 55 individual grants and will impact the lives of more than 100,000 children in the local community.
“We are so appreciative of the support of all of our tournament sponsors and fans and proud that we are able to continue moving the needle upward for the benefit of our philanthropic partners,” Honda Classic Executive Director Andrew George. said. “Honda Classic Cares Week is such a motivating time for our team as we celebrate the collective impact being made.
“While the tournament strives to provide Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast and the entire South Florida area with a premier professional sporting event, the ultimate goal is to improve the lives of youth in need and to create a brighter future for our community.”
The Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation is receiving an unprecedented grant of $2 million, the seventh consecutive year that the Foundation is receiving a grant higher than $1 million. More than $12 million has been donated to the NCHCF since its inception.
The tournament’s annual Celebration of Philanthropy will be held June 9 at Loggerhead Marinelife Center with a drawing taking place among 33 finalists in the Birdies for Children program for a brand new Honda Insight. Fans donate each year for the chance to guess the number of birdies in the tournament. The 33 finalists each correctly guessed the total of 1,262 birdies recorded at the 2020 Honda Classic. The program raised nearly $3 million this year.
The growth of the Honda Classic’s charitable donations is a testament to American Honda’s 42 years as the longest-standing title sponsor on the PGA TOUR as well as partnerships with PGA National Resort & Spa, PGA of America, Palm Beach County, the City of Palm Beach Gardens and the PGA TOUR along with the support from Founders Club sponsor Tire Kingdom, and more than 200 other community-minded local sponsors.
The growth of this year’s Honda Class Cares grant allocations was fueled by expanded sponsor, spectator and charity participation at the 2022 tournament where Sepp Straka birdied three of the final five holes to defeat Shane Lowry by a stroke. The tournament introduced double-decker seating at the 17th hole for the first time, a concept that will expand when the 2023 Honda Classic is played February 20-26, 2023 at PGA National Resort & Spa.
