Combined with the $154,000 in contributions made before and during the event last August, central Iowa charities have now received more than $400,000 from the club, which set attendance records when it hosted the match-play competition between U.S. and European women.
On February 24th, representatives from nine charities that serve women or children received donations from Des Moines Golf and Country Club (DMGCC), West Des Moines, Iowa, totaling $250,000.
The donation marked fulfillment of a promise DMGCC made prior to hosting the 2017 Solheim Cup—that a large portion of profits from the event would be shared with local, nonprofit organizations. And when combined with $154,000 in contributions made before and during the event, which was held last August, DMGCC has now given more than $400,000 to central Iowa charities.
“In its very first proposal to host the 2017 Solheim Cup, Des Moines Golf and Country Club made it clear that it wanted [the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s] signature event to have a positive impact on the entire community,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “These donations are a testament to the club’s dedication to service and just one of the many ways [DMGCC] exceeded our expectations when hosting the 2017 Solheim Cup.”
Added Gregg Carlson, DMGCC’s Club President in 2017: “The success of the 2017 Solheim Cup was in large part due to the incredible way Iowans embraced and supported our efforts to host the prestigious golf tournament. “By working collectively to execute the attendance-record-breaking event, all of central Iowa benefitted. Our community got to shine in the global and national media spotlight, garnered $34 million in economic impact, and now our local charities are being infused with needed funds.”
Iowa organizations benefitting from DMGCC’s commitment to the community include Iowa Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), ISISERETTES Drill & Drum Corp, DMGCC Educational Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, Children & Family Urban Movement (CFUM), Children’s Cancer Connection, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), and The First Tee of Central Iowa.
“I know I speak for the whole committee when I say that it was a privilege to learn about these incredible organizations serving central Iowa,” said Marla Lacey, who served on the Solheim Cup Charity Committee, which selected the recipient organizations. “From helping teens find stable housing to mentoring programs to organizations focused on health and wellness, the recipient nonprofits are making positive, lasting impacts on our community’s kids.”
Local television station WHO 13’s report on DMGCC’s charitable contributions from the Solheim Cup can be viewed here: http://whotv.com/2018/02/25/after-hosting-solheim-cup-des-moines-golf-and-country-club-donating-thousands-to-metro-charities/
The 2017 Solheim Cup set fan attendance records for the biennial women’s golf tournament, with more than 120,000 people witnessing the best women’s golfers from the United States defeat the best women’s golfers from Europe in match-play competition.
In recognition of the outstanding course conditions during the 2017 Solheim Cup, golf industry publication TurfNet named DMGCC Superintendent and Master Greenkeeper Rick Tegtmeier the 2017 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year. The publication called DMGCC a “virtually flawless” venue for the 2017 Solheim Cup.
C&RB featured Tegtmeier and DMGCC’s course maintenance operation in its January 2016 issue (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2016/01/quite-a-roll/)
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