CVS Caremark Charity Golf Tournament Field, Events Announced
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
PGA Tour professionals Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade announced some of the top players in the 2014 CVS Caremark Charity Classic today, setting the stage for a star-studded event that in its history has raised over $17 million for charity.
The 16th annual Charity Classic is set for June 22-24 at Rhode Island Country Club. Co-hosted by Faxon and Andrade, the tournament draws elite players from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and Champions Tour. The announcement of the field to date (there will be more players added) came at Special Olympics Rhode Island, one of the tournament's many beneficiaries.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST4 of the top 20 men’s golfers in the world headline the announcements. Matt Kuchar, a 7-time winner on the PGA Tour and the current 5th ranked player in the world; Zach Johnson, an 11-time PGA Tour winner and 2007 Masters Tournament champion; Steve Stricker, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour and a putting wizard so respected that Tiger Woods has sought advice from him on the practice green; And Jason Dufner, the highest ranked first-timer in the field (20th in the world) and the 2013 PGA Championship winner.
“We try to find the best golfers in the world, but we can’t find a better person in the world than Zach Johnson,” Faxon said. Johnson and Kuchar won the event in 2011 and are expected to be paired up again in 2014, and both men will have their fathers on the bag caddying for them.
Stricker and playing partner Bo Van Pelt return to defend their 2013 championship. They set a record with a -25 (25 under par) score of 117 last year.
LPGA Tour standout Lexi Thompson , the 6th ranked player in the world, and World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster represent the LPGA Tour. 38-year PGA tour veteran Peter Jacobsen returns to the field, joining Faxon and Andrade as the only players to participate in every Charity Classic, dating back to 1999.
“It’s one of my favorite events on the schedule every year,” Thompson said in a Skype video conference call at the press conference at Special Olympics RI. Thompson is coming off a win in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year on the LPGA Tour.
“We’re excited to once again host the CVS Caremark Charity Classic which supports hundreds of great charities throughout the region,” said Tournament Chairwoman Eileen Howard Boone. “Through the years, this tournament has driven more than $17 million to local nonprofits to help the vital work that they do. We’re proud to be part of such a worthwhile event and are looking forward to another successful year for our charity partners.”
Tournament Week begins with the Pepsi Pro-Am Sunday, June 22nd, followed by the two-day tournament Monday, June 23rd and Tuesday, June 24th at the Rhode Island Country Club.
Tournament Activities
- Path to Better Health- A walking path around the course that features interactive health and fitness stations. Area health experts will host interactive and educational stations along the path, from skin screens to nutritional advice to simple exercise. The first 1,000 guests to check in at the tournament’s new health and wellness expo on Monday and Tuesday June 23-24 will receive a pedometer to track their steps around the course. Fans who take the most steps daily can enter to win special prizes during the tournament. This year’s tournament will also be tobacco-free.
- All Kids Can Three-Hole Challenge- The Puma and Kimberly Clark All Kids Can Three-Hole Challenge features a specially designed challenge on holes 16-18 the morning of Monday, June 23rd. Five foursomes of children representing a variety of the tournament’s charity partners will participate, giving the youngsters an opportunity to show off their swings in front of the pros.
- Pepsi Max Shootout- For the fourth consecutive year, the Pepsi Max Shootout takes place Monday and pits the first-place team from each of the Pepsi Pro-Am shotguns in a thrilling playoff.
- Charitable Closest to the Pin Contest- The pros compete for designated charities to see who can stick it close for $25,000 of the charity they represent. The closest golfer to the pin on 17 off the tee on Monday and Tuesday wins.
- Free Admission for Veterans and First Responders- The Tournament honors veterans by offering complimentary admission for all active, reserve, and retired Military Service Members and their dependents. Veterans simply present a valid Common Access Card or Retired Military Card at the gate throughout the day for all 3 days. First responders and their families also receive free admission with valid ID.
Beneficiaries
The list of beneficiaries includes:
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross- Zach Johnson is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Arthritis Foundation- Steve Stricker is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence- Jason Dufner is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Bradley Hospital
- Brain Injury association of Rhode Island
- Children's Wishes of Rhode Island
- City Year Rhode Island
- Golf Foundation of RI Button Hole
- March of dimes Rhode Island- Peter Jacobsen is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Meeting Street School
- Rhode Island Family Shelter- Bo Van Pelt is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- San Miguel School of Providence
- Save the Bay- Matt Kuchar is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Serve Rhode Island- Juli Inkster is playing on their behalf in 2014.
- Sojourner House
- Special Olympics Rhode Island
- Spurwink RI
- The Learning Center for the Deaf
- Tides Family Services
- Youth Pride, Inc.
The event raised $1.3 million in 2013.
Tickets
Tickets are available online at cvscharityclassic.com, select CVS Pharmacy locations in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, and at The Wine Lounge by Estancia Winery, located on the 18th green at RICC.
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