The "Buick Open" Contributes $832,000 To Various Michigan Charities

by Marty Bernstein
Marketing & Advertising Editor
The Auto Channel

Grand Blanc, Mich., March 23, 2007; In these days of the Detroit 3’s lingering financial malaise, it’s good to see an example of genuine corporate giving back to the community, despite the bad economic conditions.

Today GM’s Buick division donated a record $832,000 to Southeastern Michigan charities from proceeds raised through the 2006 Buick Open tournament which is held annually at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.

Since 1982 this PGA Tour event has raised $8.8 million dollars for area charities in the area that was the home to the Buick division. . Through its PGA Tour events, Buick has donated more than $36 million to charities since 1982.

Among the charities who received donations from the 2006 Buick Open are Flint and Grand Blanc, Michigan chapters Easter Seals of Michigan, the American Red Cross, Whaley Children’s Center, American Lung Association and several others.

“Golf gives us a great opportunity to give back and be a part of the communities in our tournament markets,” said Steve Shannon, Buick general manager. “We are very pleased to be able to continue this tradition of giving to the many worthy organizations that provide badly needed programs and services for so many people.”

Buick also announced today that the purse for the 2007 Buick Open, scheduled for June 25 to July 1 at Warwick Hills, will be a record $4.9 million. The defending champion is Tiger Woods, Buick’s famous golfer-spokesperson, who can become only the third player in tournament history to successfully defend his Buick Open title.

Buick is in its fifth decade of PGA Tour sponsorship and has been the official car of the PGA Tour since 1984. In addition to the Buick Open, Buick sponsors the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif. Tiger Woods has won that tournament three consecutive times.