LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Oct. 25, 2004 – Tom Lehman and Briny Baird were named this week's Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) Charity Challenge winner for their first-place standing entering the final round of the Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resort.
This is the third straight week that Lehman has claimed the title and Baird's first. The Crestor Charity Challenge is a season-long weekly competition that recognizes the tournament leader entering the final round at most PGA Tour events throughout the year. Through this first-of-its kind program, AstraZeneca and its Crestor product will donate approximately $3 million a year to designated health care and PGA Tour charities. At each of the selected tournaments, a $100,000 contribution will be made.
For their performances, AstraZeneca, on behalf of its Crestor product and the Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resort, will donate $50,000 to the Healthy Community Initiative of Greater Orlando, and $50,000 to the health-care charity of Baird and Lehman’s choice.
"Healthy Community Initiative is appreciative of the donation from AstraZeneca and Crestor, it couldn't be more appropriate and timely," said Ray Larsen, executive director of Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) of Greater Orlando. "HCI will use this generous contribution toward the upcoming launch of Central Florida On the Move -- a major campaign to promote active, healthy living for residents throughout Central Florida."
The mission of HCI is to create a new sense of community, which leads to an environment where all individuals and families flourish. Working with individuals, organizations, and businesses like Walt Disney World Resort to ensure that the Greater Orlando area becomes a healthy community, HCI focuses on promoting collaborative efforts and "connectedness," strengthening support for families and children, and the acceptance and appreciation of building upon diversity. Central Florida On the Move is just one example of how HCI engages and inspires people to take actions and ownership for positive change and healthy community development.
The Crestor Charity Challenge is the centerpiece of a multi-year Tour partnership with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) on behalf of its cholesterol-lowering medication, Crestor.
"Giving back is at the heart of the PGA Tour and AstraZeneca is pleased to be able to support this by offering health education and recognizing local communities through the Crestor Charity Challenge," said Tony Zook, senior vice president, commercial operations, AstraZeneca U.S. " Crestor Charity Challenge will not only add an exciting new twist to the PGA Tour, it will also help the Tour reach its milestone of $1 billion in charitable donations within the next few years."
Crestor Charity Challenge winners will be recognized during the network or cable telecast of each tournament. In addition, AstraZeneca and Crestor will sponsor the PGA Tour year-end charity special, which is scheduled to air December 19 on ABC.
The PGA Tour partnership also includes the Crestor Charity Challenge Pavilion, an on-site component at select tournaments featuring interactive exhibits designed to provide health and cholesterol awareness, educational activities, health screenings/assessments, and golf tips by teaching pros for fans.
Fans can log on to www.crestor.pgatour.com to take part in weekly contests, read about past Crestor Charity Challenge winners, and learn more about Crestor. Crestor also will be the official sponsor of Tour Fantasy Golf at pgatour.com/fantasy.
