Valspar Championship Tops $2 Million For Charity For 4th Straight Year

For Immediate Release: June 7, 2019

The 2019 Valspar Championship generated $2,274,686 for charity, marking the 4th straight year the tournament has topped the $2 million mark. Prior to 2016, tournaments operated by Copperhead Charities had only reached $2 million in a year on two occasions. Copperhead Charities has now generated nearly $44 million for charity since 1977 through the sponsorship of professional golf tournaments in the Tampa Bay area.

The announcement was made at the organization’s annual Charity Breakfast at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor on Friday. Representatives of many of the more than 75 area charities that benefit from the tournament were on hand to receive their checks.

“Since Valspar arrived as our title sponsor, we have been able to move to a consistently higher level of funds raised for our participating charities,” says Keith Robinson, the outgoing general chairman. “Nothing is guaranteed, but we are optimistic that with the continued great support of our fans, sponsors and volunteers, we can continue at this level into the future.”

“This is our biggest day of the year,” says Jim Eisch who takes over as General Chairman for the next two tournaments. “Both through our Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities program and other donations, we provide support for many different groups – medical charities, youth programs, veterans groups and many others. It is one of our fundamental goals to support the people of the Tampa Bay area.”

“The Valspar brand believes in helping people make a change for the better, so when we began our chapter with the Valspar Championship six years ago, we had a vision about what this tournament could do for the Tampa Bay community,” said Rob Lynch, President, Consumer Brands, The Sherwin-Williams Company (Valspar’s holding company). “Being able to donate over $2 million to local charities every year has exceeded our expectations. In addition, as National Paint Partner for Habitat for Humanity International, Valspar is proud to be able to impact change for the local Habitat affiliate, and all Tampa Bay charities involved, through this tournament. We are honored to be a part of the fabric of this community, and we look forward to continuing to raise the bar with our sponsorship to make an even greater impact on the community for years to come.”

The total includes money raised through ticket sales, other tournament proceeds as well as the Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities program. More than 75 area charities benefited from the tournament. The amount generated has moved steadily higher since Valspar assumed title sponsorship in 2014 as galleries have increased and community corporate support has grown. The next Valspar Championship is scheduled for March 16-22, 2020. Paul Casey, the winner in both 2018 and 2019, will be attempting the rare three-peat of winning the same PGA TOUR event for a third straight year.

In addition to the announcement, the Copperheads presented their Copperhead Courage Award to longtime tournament volunteer Paul King who survived a serious heart problem to continue his long support of the tournament in 2019.

About the Valspar Championship

The Valspar Championship is Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event and a part of the annual FedExCup competion. The 2020 Valspar Championship will be held on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida from March 16-22, 2020. Paul Casey is defending champion in a field of top PGA TOUR professionals. It is nationally televised by NBC Sports and Golf Channel. For more information, visit www.valsparchampionship.com and follow @valsparchamp on Twitter. About Copperhead Charities, Inc. About Copperhead Charities, Inc. Copperhead Charities history of supporting charities through professional golf dates back to 1977, with funds generated exceeding $44 million. The 2020 Valspar Championship, is the 20th full-field PGA TOUR event sponsored by the Copperheads. Over 160 Tampa Bay area civic and business leaders are members of The Copperheads. The tournament is managed by Pro Links Sports with Executive Director Hollis Cavner and Tournament Director Tracy West.