SIXTH ANNUAL PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS EVENT GENERATES MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION FOR CHARITY IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN AND BEYOND
Officials of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren and volunteers were joined today by representatives from Ally, McLaren and community partners for a special event to celebrate the proceeds generated by the tournament for charitable organizations in southeastern Michigan and beyond. The sixth playing of The Ally Challenge, which concluded August 27, 2023, at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, raised a total of $1,189,019.40, surpassing the $1 million mark for the fourth time in the tournament’s brief history.
Since its inception in 2018, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren has donated a total of more than $7.3 million to support charity.
This year’s total includes $879,214.27 in support of Genesee County Charities. Overall, more than 35 charities were positively impacted by The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren this year, including a portion of the funds for 20 plus crucial programs identified by the tournament’s primary beneficiary, United Way of Genesee County (UWGC).
The Ally Challenge’s 2023 total charitable giving amount contains money generated through several philanthropic tournament initiatives, including the Ally Chairty Chip In, Ticket’s Fore Charity and the dollars raised by this year’s Celebrity Challenge.
Highlighted during the special presentation today was a visual reveal of the donation amount and recognition of UWGC benefiting charities. Two volunteer shifts were also an important focus of the day as participants donated their time to complete needed projects designated by UWGC.
“Today was a good reminder that The Ally Challenge may happen every August, but the money raised impacts this community year-round,” said Jeff Cumberworth, Senior Director, Marketing at Ally. “It makes us proud to know we’ve helped raise money for hundreds of local charities over the six years of this tournament.”
“The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is a prime example of like-minded organizations coming together for a united purpose, and the impressive results speak for themselves, said Kevin Tompkins, Sr. Vice President of Marketing, McLaren Health Care. “We value being part of this premier tournament that continues to move the needle upward for the benefit of our community. Today’s celebration is a motivating time for all involved as we recognize the collective impact being made.”
For more than 100 years UWGC has been addressing educational outcomes, health access, financial stability, and the basic needs of Genesee County residents; the UWGC leverages donations from more than 200 workplace campaigns and individual investors to support over 150 programs. Last year dollars raised impacted over 100,000 lives representing every zip code of Genesee County.
The tournament’s investment will help support nearly 20 programs in Genesee County, impacting more than 30,000 individuals through three priority areas: Financial Literacy, Affordable Housing and Employment.
“Thank you to all the fans, players and sponsors who attended the 2023 Ally Challenge,” said James Gaskin, CEO, United Way of Genesee County. “Your participation is supporting home repairs with Habitat for Humanity; helping homeless veterans get back on their feet at My Brother’s Keeper; teaching kids the importance of fiscal management; and more than 15 other crucial programs helping our most vulnerable neighbors. A very special thank you to Ally and McLaren for this opportunity to impact our community.”
The continued growth of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren’s philanthropic impact on the community was ensured on September 14, 2019, when the tournament announced a five-year extension of their agreements with title sponsor Ally Financial Inc., presenting sponsor McLaren Health Care, host venue Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, and the tournament’s agreement with the PGA TOUR. The extensions guarantee The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will continue as a PGA TOUR Champions event played at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club through 2025.
“On behalf of HNS Sports Group and our tournament staff, I would like to thank Ally, McLaren Health Care and all our sponsors for helping make the gift of these funds a reality,” said Erin Stone, Director of Business Development and Community Relations, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. “The tradition of giving this tournament has established in the southeastern Michigan community is inspiring and we are committed to growing that charitable spirit for years to come.”
The 2024 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will take place the week of August 19 – 25 at renowned Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.
The Ally Challenge will be one of the premier Regular Season events on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2024, which will give way to the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs¾a season-ending, three-tournament series used to determine the TOUR’s season-long champion.
All three rounds of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will be broadcast on Golf Channel.
For more information about The Ally Challenge, please visit theallychallenge.com. For the latest Ally Challenge news and updates on social media follow the tournament on Twitter and Instagram at @AllyChallenge and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllyChallenge.