Tournament to sponsor a Signature Room at Dell Children’s, donate to special programs at First Tee
AUSTIN, Texas – On Giving Tuesday, tournament officials announced that the 2022 WGC- Dell Technologies Match Play contributed more than $1.2 million to charitable beneficiaries Dell Children’s and First Tee – Greater Austin, bringing the all-time charitable giving total to over $6 million since the event moved to Austin Country Club in 2016.
A portion of the funds were directed to special programming for students of First Tee and the creation of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Signature Room at the Blood and Cancer Center.
“We are extremely excited about the ways in which we are partnering to support Dell Children’s and First Tee this year,” said WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Vice President & Executive Director Jordan Uppleger. “It’s one thing to donate dollars but when you can see tangibly where those dollars are going, and when you can see the families directly benefitting from it, that is what really matters.
“Just by attending, every single fan from the 2022 event played a part in generating these contributions and as we continue to grow the tournament, we will continue to grow our charitable footprint. We couldn’t do it without the support of Dell Technologies, the Austin Country Club membership and ultimately, the Austin community.”
In support of the Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center, the tournament’s charitable funds aided in the creation of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Signature Room, a program developed to help philanthropic supporters provide joy to a child’s otherwise difficult day in the exam rooms, which see up to 800 families per year.
The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Signature Room features a colorful and vibrant floor-to-ceiling mural offering interactive games to entertain and engage young patients.
“Dell Technologies is unwavering in our commitment to our hometown and Dell Technologies Match Play is one way we work to ensure the broader Austin community continues to thrive,” said Liz Matthews, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Creative at Dell Technologies. “The funds raised from the 2022 tournament will continue to support and have a lasting impact on our children right here at home by expanding access to world-class healthcare and educational programs.”
Additionally, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play encourages the public to donate to the Dell Children’s Giving Tuesday Program. The fundraising program, which runs through Saturday, Dec. 31, is Dell Children’s largest annual fundraising campaign. Funds generated will be directed to the Dell Children’s HERE Campaign, whose mission is to keep children in Central Texas for their medical treatments.
“We could not be more grateful for the growing partnership between Dell Children’s Foundation and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play,” said Susan Hewlitt, Executive Director of Dell Children’s Foundation. “Children and families’ lives are positively impacted by the support for Dell Children’s and our HERE Campaign for growth. The critical support of our Blood and Cancer Center has already helped enable a better equipped and much larger space in our new Specialty Pavilion and will help lead the way into continued and much needed growth ensuring every child can stay right here in Austin to get the care they need, no matter the diagnosis.
“We are especially grateful for the Austin Country Club members and guests that support this iconic event annually and in-turn, provides needed care for our community’s children.
In continued support of First Tee – Greater Austin, the tournament’s contributions will be used to expand the opportunities for kids in the Austin community, with plans to increase new student enrollment from two Title I Middle Schools, along with starting golf teams at those schools. Additionally, investment will be made to improve technology to help level the playing field for First Tee students looking to take their game to the next level; having success on the golf course has given many students more confidence to succeed in the classroom.
First Tee coaches will be provided with more training and resources to ensure they are set up for success and meet the needs of students. The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play will also continue to serve as the Title Sponsor of the First Tee – Greater Austin’s 9 Core Values for Rising Stars event at the Austin Trail of Lights where First Tee youth will be recognized for exemplifying their life skills on and off the golf course
“First Tee-Greater Austin is very grateful to be a beneficiary of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play,” said Jennifer MacCurrach, Executive Director, First Tee – Greater Austin. “So much of the organizations success and the success of the youth in the programs can be tied directly to support from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
“The pandemic introduced a lot of kids and families to golf due to the social distancing built into the sport and in turn, we have many opportunities of growth that require support. The First Tee’s life skill curriculum, the coaches and the many opportunities afforded to First Tee youth have kept them involved. None of the above is accomplished without the help from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.”
The First Tee program, originally founded by Tim Finchem in 1997, celebrates its 25th anniversary this month and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is proud to be a continued supporter of the national chapter. First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization boasting a network of nearly 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and internationally. That support continues to help extend programming in neighborhoods where the PGA TOUR plays, including Austin.
Since its inception in 1999, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play has generated more than $21 million for charity (including past locations and title sponsors). With an incredible venue in Austin Country Club and 64 of the world’s best set to compete in a format unique to this city, the 2023 event will be one of the biggest events on the PGA TOUR schedule as one of 17 elevated events in 2023.
Tickets to attend the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play will be announced at later date. For more information visit dellmatchplay.com
