PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 17, 2011 – The PGA TOUR, Youth Programs, Inc. and Memphis-based FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced today that FedEx has extended its one-year sponsorship commitment of its hometown tournament by three years, continuing the FedEx St. Jude Classic through 2014.
Scheduled for June 6-12, the FedEx St. Jude Classic is at the front end of the final three-month stretch through the summer that culminates with the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
“FedEx has taken a significant step to assure the continuation of its hometown tournament over the next four years,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “FedEx obviously values the impact that the tournament has on the Memphis community and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in particular.”
The FedEx St. Jude Classic has raised nearly $25 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 1970, when the hospital became its sole beneficiary. Furthermore, the tournament has created a valuable global platform that has helped to raise the profile of the hospital, leading to additional contributions and financial support.
“FedEx is happy to continue our long relationship with the FedEx St. Jude Classic and, more importantly, our support of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development at FedEx. “Our involvement with this tournament allows thousands of Memphis-based FedEx employees to play a direct role in the support of St. Jude.”
FedEx was the tournament’s title sponsor from 1986 through 2006. Beginning in 2007, FedEx and the PGA TOUR launched the FedExCup, which provides a compelling competition to crown a season-long champion. During this timeframe, FedEx stayed on as the presenting sponsor of the tournament. The FedEx St. Jude Classic is contested at TPC Southwind, where it has been held since 1989.
“The glory years of our event were during FedEx’s initial 21-year run,” said FESJC General Chairman Jack Sammons. “It’s no secret that having FedEx back as title sponsor is an answer to lots of prayers, and is music to our ears. Today’s announcement is also wonderful news for the children of St. Jude and golf fans in this region.”
About FedEx Corporation
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $38 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
About Youth Programs, Inc.
Youth Programs, Inc. (YPI) was chartered in 1960 to produce an official PGA TOUR event in Memphis, Tennessee and raise funds for youth-oriented charities. The 501(c)(3) volunteer-based organization adopted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as its sole beneficiary in 1970 and since then, St. Jude has realized nearly $25 million as a direct result of its affiliation with YPI and PGA TOUR golf. Visit www.stjudeclassic.com for more information.
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.
The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players. In 2011, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 29 states and in 12 countries and territories outside of the United States. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to approximately 500 million households in 224 countries and territories in 29 languages.
Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2010, tournaments on the three Tours generated more than $120 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to more than $1.6 billion. The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.