2020 Dominion Energy Charity Classic generates $1.5M for charity
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Tournament officials announced Wednesday that the 2020 Dominion Energy Charity Classic, held at The Country Club of Virginia’s James River course in Henrico, generated more than $1.5 million for charities in the county and the city of Richmond and has raised more than $5.1 million since the event's debut in 2016.
PGA Tour Champions, a tour for professional golfers 50 and older from around the world, is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which it holds events, according to tour officials.
In partnership with Dominion Energy, the tournament last year exceeded financial expectations despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the event to be held without spectators.
Tom Farrell, the executive chairman of Dominion Energy, said in a press release that the company has averaged more than $1 million a year for charities in the region, and 2020 year was no different.
“2020 was especially challenging for non-profits, so this announcement and its impact comes at a good time. We look forward to hopefully welcoming fans and players back to the area in October for what has become an exciting sports tradition," Farrell said.
The DECC also gives non-profit organizations in the area a chance to participate in Birdies for Charity, a program presented by TowneBank that gives them the opportunity to generate donations through the PGA TOUR. These donations are then boosted by 10 percent, creating a significant amount of total contributions.
Swim RVA, Richmond Ballet, Mission Gait, Louisa Arts Center, The Richmond Symphony, Boots to Suits and many other organizations generated a funds through the program during the 2020 event.
"Our three entities want to make sure that we're bringing the community together," Steve Schoenfeld, executive director of the Charity Classic, said. They want to provide an entertaining golf competition, but also create an atmosphere where "companies can host clients in webinars, and there's various opportunities to volunteer."
As the pandemic raged across the United States, tournament officials faced a number of obstacles.
"The biggest challenge we had last year – the No. 1 biggest thing – is that things were changing so rapidly," Schoenfeld said. "We had to really stay mobile and flexible, and we had to be able to pivot at almost a moment's notice.
"That's always the biggest challenge of holding an event of this magnitude; it's being able to be flexible.”
The tournament is known for focusing on military support, and as a result, the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, the Richmond Fisher House, and more than 100 other non-profit organizations in Virginia were designated to receive funds.
In a press release, John Lesinski, the VVSF Board chair, said his organization was grateful for the donations.
“The charitable dollars generated by the Charity Classic over the past five years have made a major difference in our efforts to help our military veterans who need financial assistance, to find gainful civilian employment and to prevent homelessness throughout the Commonwealth and will again be used to accomplish our important mission to serve those who have served us," Lesinski said.
The 2021 Dominion Energy Charity Classic will be held at The Country Club of Virginia on October 21-24, with the top 72 players competing for a $2 million reward. Phil Mickelson won last year’s event. For details about the tournament and Birdies for Charity, visit www.deccgolf.com.
