Las Vegas, Nevada (August 21, 2013)–The 31st-straight year of PGA Tour golf in Las Vegas kicks off October 17-20, 2013, with the playing of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. And tournament management has created the "Tickets for Charity" campaign that allows Las Vegas charitable organizations–The First Tee of Southern Nevada among them–to offer tickets to supporters and others, and earn 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales. Shriners Hospitals for Children Open tickets can be purchased by visiting www.TheFirstTeeSouthernNevada.org or by calling 702-433-0626. For two-straight years, pros who live in Las Vegas have claimed the tournament championship, and local fan support has played a role in making that happen. –By Brian Hurlburt, Follow @LVGolfInsider.
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open ticket vouchers are available for $30 and can be redeamed for a one-day ticket which includes all grounds and “The Hill” access. 100% of proceeds raised through this program will be retained by The First Tee of Southern Nevada (or whichever charitable organization the vouchers are purchased through) and will benefit local youth. Proceeds will be used to offer Las Vegas youth from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn life skills and healthy choices through the game of golf. The First Tee of Southern Nevada is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and relies on the generosity of donors.
According to tournament officials, last year’s "Tickets for Charity" program raised more than $30,000 to support more than 30 local non-profits and their fundraising efforts in addition to assisting more than 25 school systems to defeat budget cuts. Merryhill School’s parent-teacher organization led the participating schools last year in raising $2,700 for their programs. Additionally, the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute sold more than 300 tickets to the tournament to raise $3,220 to support their efforts in the development of excellence in public safety leadership.
The First Tee of Southern Nevada was established in 2002 and is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established through the merger of the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association and the Southern Nevada Inner City Youth Golf Association. Programs include the Danny Gans Junior Golf Academy, the SNJGA Tour, The First Tee National School Program, and others.
The First Tee of Southern Nevada’s programs are open to students ages 6-18 and consist of after school programming, school day programming, camps, clinics, tournaments and more. Students enrolled in The First Tee of Southern Nevada receive quality life skills and golf instruction, free use of golf equipment, supervised practice privileges, tournament opportunities and more. Special emphasis is placed on recruiting low to moderate-income youth, minorities, girls, at-risk youth, and students with disabilities and youth who might not have otherwise been exposed to the game. No student or group will be turned away based on their inability to pay. Scholarships are available upon request. The First Tee of Southern Nevada is staffed by PGA professionals and The First Tee certified coaches.