Kickoff unveils theme for 2012 Price Cutter Charity Chamipionship

"Giff's Gallery" makes an encore

June 11, 2012|by Jerry Jacob, KY3 News | news@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- "Future Greats, Great Futures" is the theme of the 2012 Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper.

The PGA's Nationwide Tournament is Aug. 9-12 at Highland Springs Country Club, but a full summer of events will lead up to tournament week. Those events, as well as this year's theme were unveiled at a press conference Monday morning.

"Since the tournament's inception in 1990, the tournament has given away more than 9 million dollars to area children's charities," said Jerald Andrews, President and Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which runs the event. "This theme truly captures the two central aspects of the event: golf's next generation of greats, and improving the lives of area children."

2012 will be the 23rd year of the event in Springfield. 2011 marked a record-breaking year in way of money raised for local children’s charities. Following the tournament last year, the John Q. Hammons Foundation distributed monetary gifts to 43 children’s charities in the Ozarks, totaling a cash amount of $782,067.00.

The Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper (PCCC) is one of only four of the existing tour stops on the original Hogan Tour.

Giff's Gallery Encore

Also announced Monday, Springfield Cardinals Vice President and General Manager Matt Gifford will receive a sponsor's exemption and play in the tournament. In 2011, Gifford used his appearance as a vehicle to raise more than $20,000.

"As I proved last year, I'm not the best golfer in Springfield," said a smiling Gifford Monday morning. "But the PGA Tour expressed full support for me to do this again, and I had a great time last year, and we raised a lot of money for the kids, so we'll do it again. Maybe I'll do better this time around."

Gifford shot a 174 over two rounds last year. That is dreadful score by professional standards; Gifford missed the cut and was third from the bottom on the leader-board. But to be fair, playing Highland Springs from "the tips" in a professional setting is an experience beyond what most amateurs will ever even attempt.

"I achieved my goal last year of not vomiting on the first tee," kidded Gifford.

A variety of donation/wagering options are available at the charity's website, www.giffsgallery.org, including whether Gifford will beat last year's score.

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