The PGA TOUR Champions’ successful return to golf which began in July of this year, included a September stop at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee. Monterey Peninsula Foundation hosted the three-day, pro-am golf tournament to raise funds for First Tee and many local nonprofit organizations. The broadcast only event exceeded expectations, crowning a Hall-of-Fame champion, Jim Furyk, and surpassing $1.5 million in total charitable awards to nonprofits throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

“Golf provides so much for our community, and we are grateful to PURE Insurance, the players, partners, and volunteers who came together to participate in this very unusual year”, said Steve John, Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO and Tournament Director. “In addition to supporting First Tee, we have been able to make a significant local impact supporting current, critical needs in our area at a time of increased challenges for so many.”

In lieu of hosting a traditional volunteer party after the tournament, volunteers voted to support local food pantries with a charitable donations going out to the Food Bank of Monterey and San Benito Counties along with Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Cruz. Players showed support of the local area by directing a portion of the amateur entry fee to aid local fire relief and recovery in response to the devastating fires that recently impacted Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. A third critical focus area has been addressing the technological gap that has hampered student learning through the COVID-19 crisis with grants given to Digital Nest, Hartnell College Foundation, Loaves Fishes and Computers, Inc. and Rancho Cielo Inc.

Combined with other emergency-focused grantmaking since March 2020 , Monterey Peninsula Foundation has channeled more than $6.5 million to meet the needs arising from the pandemic and regional Fires.

The event, which is annually co-hosted by Poppy Hills GC, saw a different format this year due to COVID-19.

For more information, visit www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org