Genworth Financial’s popular charitable initiative Putts4Charity reached a new milestone last week at the Madrid Masters, having passed a cumulative total of €500,000.
Genworth, a leading global financial security company, broke the €500,000 barrier in Madrid with a little help from local children and ‘big money’ putts from the likes of Spanish Tour Professionals Sergio Garcia, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and José Manuel Lara.
The popular putting challenge was developed by Genworth, in partnership with The Tour Players Foundation, the charitable organization of The European Tour and has been running since 2007. The 2010 season of Putts4Charity was launched at The BMW PGA Championship and aims to donate over €150,000 to this year’s main beneficiary, SOS Children’s Villages.
“We’re passionate about making a difference in the communities where we operate”, said Martin Ring, a director of the Genworth Foundation. “Whilst in Madrid we visited a local SOS Children’s Village giving us the opportunity to see how funds from previous seasons are being put to good use, including development of educational opportunities”.
Fernando Morón Limón, Corporate Relations manager from SOS Children in Spain added: "We’re very proud to be part of Genworth's milestone in Madrid. Their commitment to our work across Europe helps so many children without parental care, to grow up in a loving and supportive family home. We’re also very grateful to the Tour Professionals and members of the public. May the one-putts keep on rolling in!"
David Park, Charity Executive from The Tour Player’s Foundation commented, "Reaching this figure was a true, collaborative effort between our Tour Professionals, members of the public and Genworth. Together we are helping a very important cause and encouraging people to take part in the game of golf - and have fun.”
Putts4Charity helps raise funds for good causes by challenging the general public to make a successful “one putt” on specially constructed greens at various stops along The European Tour. For each successful one putt made at the Madrid Masters, the Genworth Foundation makes a €1 donation to charity. Similarly, every one putt made by professionals competing in the tournament will raise €2, helping to boost the total even further.
The public will be able to line-up their one-putts at The Madrid Masters on Genworth’s putting greens in the tented village, which will be open until the tournament ends on Sunday 30 May.
Genworth is also the official sponsor of The European Tour Statistics programme, providing Tour Members with invaluable analysis of their performance. Every shot played by every member is profiled throughout the season, with the results collated into nine categories: Stroke Average, Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts per Greens in regulation, Putts per Round, Sand Saves, Scrambles and One Putts Per Round.
