Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, care about kids. When the Honda Classic was moving to Palm Beach, tournament officials called and asked Jack and Barbara to get involved. Said Barbara, “Jack and I have always wanted to bring better pediatric care to this area, so we looked at each other from around our kitchen table and said, ‘let’s go for it.'” Part of that success is based on the fact that more than 130 charities in the area – led by primary beneficiary, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation – have received nearly $8 million in the last two years from the tournament’s earnings, and over $35 million since the inception of the event. That means that more than 32,000 kids and their families have benefited directly from the tournament, to say nothing of the impact to local businesses, which is estimated to be in the $55 million range each year.
“Our goal, aside from running an exciting and challenging golf tournament for the players and aficionados who attend each year,” said tournament director, Andrew George, “is to include events during the tournament that bring families and individuals not associated with golf to the tournament, as well as the players and spectators. It’s a community event, and more than 200,000 people participate in one way or another each year. We recognized early on that this needed to be more than a golf tournament and that we needed to keep the spirit of the tournament alive long after the competition ends, so we host other events during the year as well. In June, we created Honda Classic Caresweek, which is another opportunity to celebrate and showcase the efforts of local charities associated with Honda Classic Cares. Our tournament is part of the community and not just a one-week wonder.”
“In the end, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’ commitment to kids and their health drives our growth and success,” added Mr. George. “They are the heart of the tournament. They have been able to use his golf artistry to help thousands of families in their community. And the tournament itself provides one of the most challenging PGA tournaments in the country for professional golfers. It’s a win-win for all.”