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May 9, 2007--Just recently, the PGA Tour pulled the rug out from the Las Vegas Founders, the volunteer group of business leaders that have operated the Las Vegas PGA Tour event here in Las Vegas for the past quarter century. With only minutes of notice, the PGA Tour announced that the Shriners would be taking over control of the event, and that the Founders were done. Thanks, but no thanks, for 25 years of service.
And now there are several charities in Southern Nevada wondering how the move will affect them. In 2006 alone, the Las Vegas Founders raised more than $2.1 million for area charities including $1 million for the Nevada Cancer Institute. The Las Vegas Founders were key players in the creation of the UNLV Rebel men and womens golf teams, and also were the founding sponsor of The First Tee of Southern Nevada. Overall, the Las Vegas Founders have raised $15 million for various Southern Nevada organizations. The Las Vegas Review-Journal ran a story in its May 9, 2007, edition that discusses the potential impact that this move could have on various charities. Read the complete LVRJ story here. Several key members of the Las Vegas community who are close to the situation are also questioning how the PGA Tour will continue in Las Vegas without local support, and if, in fact, most of the charitable dollars raised will potentially leave the community. Heather Murren, CEO of the Nevada Cancer Institute (NCI), said the following in a written statement. "Yes, (removing the Founders Club) affects us substantially, and we are disappointed. We had hoped to be able to support a number of our Nevada cancer programs with these funds, and now we will have to try to find the funding elsewhere." Las Vegas Founders Tournament Chairman Matt Pearson and others had been meeting with NCI representatives and planning a larger presence at this year's FRYS.com Open, including the possible creation of the "Hill of Hope" overlooking the 18th green. For sure, the Shriners are an amazing group, and any money raised for their causes will be used very well. Ralph Semb, Chairman of the Shriners Board of Trustees, pointed out that over the last 20 years the Shriners have invested in the area of $10 million to pay for 2,409 area children to be cared for at the Los Angeles Shriners hospital. Semb also mentioned that some local charities will be involved in 2007. The 2007 FRYS.com Open benefitting the Shriners Hospitals for Children will be played at the TPC Canyons and TPC Summerlin during the week of October 10. Click here for more from GolfLasVegasNow.com about this story.
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