PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The 87th PGA Championship's first visit to Baltusrol Golf Club next month continues one tradition of bringing together the finest players in the world to a premier venue. It also continues another tradition of the PGA Community Relations Program in impacting the communities that support a major championship.

Since its origin in 2000, the PGA Community Relations Program, inclusive of the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, PGA Club Professional Championship and Ryder Cup, has benefited more than 625 charities. Those charities have received funds and credentials to major PGA events totaling nearly $12 million.

During the 87th PGA Championship, some 236 charities will receive $752,900 in support. This includes 56 charities that received 6,500 tickets (a $650,000 value) to the Championship, hospitality services and auction proceeds (see attached list), another 176 charities that received ticket value of $102,900 support through fundraising, and a contribution of approximately $100,000 to The Community Food Bank of New Jersey where 2,600 volunteers will work a combined 13,000 hours supporting Restaurant Associates (a PGA food service provider) with concessions.

Included in the week's events is a Youth Golf Clinic, Monday, Aug. 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough, N.J. The clinic will bring together more than 400 boys and girls and some 40 New Jersey PGA Professionals. PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters, a nationally renowned trick shot specialist, will open the clinic.

The PGA Community Relations Program's efforts to serve its host community is supported by the membership of Baltusrol Golf Club, which has focused charitable donations toward youth and those youth with health issues.

"The PGA of America is proud of the tradition of the Community Relations Program, and what it has meant to the host community of this major championship," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "This year, we join members of Baltusrol Golf Club in supporting youth. When you combine the Baltusrol membership, our PGA Professionals from the New Jersey PGA Section and exceptional youth support groups, you can expect more success stories. And, the work doesn't end once the PGA Championship has left Baltusrol. The PGA Foundation receives regular reports on how its Community Relations Program has complemented and added value to the work of so many within the community."

The Baltusrol Golf Club membership began its plan last fall to support the PGA Community Relations Program. Organizations involved in the program include inner-city schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA and hospitals that specialize in treatment of juvenile diseases.

"The response of Baltusrol members has been overwhelming to support the PGA Community Relations Program," said PGA Championship General Chairman John Huneke. "This is a wonderful opportunity to integrate what the members do on a yearly basis along with the benefits of a major championship to the community."

More information about the participating organizations and contacts in the PGA Community Relations Program may be found be accessing www.pgafoundation.com

Participating Organizations in the PGA Community Relations Clinic:

Althea Gibson Foundation
Arthritis Foundation - New Jersey Chapter
Bonnie Brae
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark Inc.
Boys & Girls Club of Paterson
Center for Educational Advancement -
Spring Run School
Children's Miracle Network
Creative Heartwork Inc.
Diedre's House
Eva's Village
Family Connections
Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
Golf Dreams
Good Shepherd Services
Goryeb Children's Hospital BD Diabetes
Center for Children
Greater Trenton Junior Golf Inc.
Hillsborough Golf Association
Hudson Community Enterprises
Jeremy's Heroes
LPGA USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark
Morris Center YMCA
New Eyes for the Needy Inc.
New Jersey Center for Visual Arts
New Jersey Seeds
Newark Boys Chorus School
Newark Youth Golf Inc.
Patriots' Path Council - Boy Scouts of America
Renaissance Junior Golf
Sponsors for Educational Opportunities (SEO)
St. Anthony High School
St. Philip's Academy
St. Vincent Academy
Special Olympics New Jersey
Springfield Education Foundation Inc.
Student-Partner Alliance
Summit Area YMCA
Summit Speech School
The 200 Club of Union County New Jersey
The Barnabas Parents' Association
The Children's Institute
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey
The First Tee of Greater Atlantic City
The Jackie Robinson Foundation
The John Shippen Memorial Golf Foundation Inc.
The Midland Foundation
The Morris Museum
The Seeing Eye Inc.
The Simpson Baber Foundation for the Autistic Inc.
The Summit Women's Club
Trail Blazers Building Values for Life
Tri-County Scholarship Fund
Union County College Sport Spectacular Camps
Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund
Urban League of SWCT
Watchung Hills Pop Warner
Football Association Inc.
YMCA of Eastern Union County

The PGA Championship is one of four premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which brings together the winners of golf's four major championships. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.