THE PLAYERS Championship gives back

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To launch the First Generation Scholarships, the University of North Florida hosted a luncheon Friday that included scholarship recipients, past tournament chairs and THE PLAYERS staff.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- THE PLAYERS Championship today announced a major commitment to two local colleges -- University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville -- expanding its current partnership by creating a $500,000 scholarship endowment at each school over the next five years. By the completion of the new and enhanced endowments, these funds will become the largest scholarship in the Jacksonville area.

Friday's announcement falls in line with THE PLAYERS renewed charitable focus: a committed goal of generating $50 million for local youth-related charities over the next 10 years. To put the goal in perspective, THE PLAYERS has generated approximately $27 million for charity in total over the past 10 years, $15 million of which has benefited youth-related organizations. Through this shift in focus, the event will more than triple the financial impact on area non-profits that promote youth education, character development, and health and fitness. Since 1977, when THE PLAYERS moved to Ponte Vedra, more than $40 million has been generated for Northeast Florida charities, including a record $4.8 million in 2010.

"This scholarship fund reflects THE PLAYERS commitment to the Northeast Florida community and our renewed focus on education and youth development," said Curtis Hazel, tournament chairman of THE PLAYERS 2012. "With the leadership of our past tournament chairs, THE PLAYERS has long provided scholarships for local students. These expanded scholarship funds will focus on the Jacksonville-area and keep dollars in our community."

Under the commitment to the University of North Florida, THE PLAYERS Championship Endowed First Generation Scholarship has been created to assist and recognize students who are the first in their families to seek a four-year college degree.

"The University is thrilled that THE PLAYERS Championship has made an additional investment in our students' futures," said UNF President John Delaney. "The PLAYERS' continued support of the First Generation Scholarship program demonstrates a strong and sincere commitment to providing access to higher education to young men and women in Northeast Florida. This gift will no doubt impact the lives of students and their families for generations to come."

Additionally, THE PLAYERS and the Florida State College Foundation have partnered to create THE PLAYERS Championship Scholarship, which will provide scholarship aid to deserving students from the five-county area attending Florida State College at Jacksonville.

"This new scholarship program builds upon the highly successful and valuable community partnership between THE PLAYERS Championship and our college. We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary support of so many deserving students," said FSCJ President Dr. Steven Wallace.

To launch the First Generation Scholarships, the University of North Florida hosted a luncheon Friday that included scholarship recipients, past tournament chairs and THE PLAYERS staff. During the luncheon, recipient Latoya Harris spoke about her upbringing in Orange Park and the impact the scholarship will have on her future. Harris' father died when she was 10, leaving her mother to raise five children, and Harris with many obstacles to overcome. Today, Harris is a student at UNF in hopes of attending medical school.

"Becoming a pediatrician has been my ultimate goal," said Harris, "and thanks to THE PLAYERS Championship First Generation Scholarship, I am one step closer to realizing my dreams."

"It is inspiring to meet the young men and women who will benefit from this program," remarked THE PLAYERS Past Tournament Chair Jack Garnett. "This scholarship effort is one of the most significant impacts the tournament can possibly make on the future of our community."

THE PLAYERS Championship will take place May 7-13, 2012. Each year, youth 18 and younger are admitted free of charge to the tournament when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There is no limit to the number of youth who can attend with a ticketed adult. More information about THE PLAYERS is available at www.pgatour.com/theplayers.