Dublin (4 July, 2007): Genworth Financial's Putts for Charity initiative - an innovative way to raise money for charity - got off to a flying start today with Graeme McDowell making the first one-putt worth €5,000 at the Smurfit Kappa European Open.
The initiative aims to raise a substantial sum for The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and GOLFAID, the charity of The European Tour players. For every one-putt made by professionals participating at the tournament, Genworth will donate €2 to the charities.
In addition, visitors to the tournament will have the opportunity to make a contribution by attempting their own one-putt on a specially constructed 3-hole putting green at the Genworth stand in the tented village. Every hole completed in one stroke will contribute a further €2 to the charities.
Genworth also ran Putts for Charity at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in May, raising over £13,000. It aims to build on that success at The K Club and at other events on The European Tour International Schedule as part of a season long charitable donation.
"Putts for Charity is a fun way to link our sponsorship of The European Tour Statistics to our corporate value, Heart - this describes how we reach out and give back", said Bob Brannock, President and CEO of Genworth Financial's international operations in Europe and Canada. "It proved to be extremely popular at the BMW PGA Championship with both professionals and the public working together to raise a tremendous amount. I'm sure that visitors to the Smurfit Kappa European Open will do even better".
Genworth Financial is the new Official Sponsor of The European Tour Statistics programme and is also sponsoring four events on The European Tour International Schedule. The Genworth Financial Statistics programme collects and distributes players' performance data in the eight main statistical categories: Stroke Average, Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts per Greens in Regulation, Putts per Round, Sand Saves and Scrambles.
About Genworth Financial
Genworth is a leading financial security company meeting the retirement, longevity and lifestyle protection, investment and mortgage insurance needs of more than 15 million customers, with a presence in more than 25 countries. For more information, visit www.genworth.com.
About The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI)
CFAI is a voluntary, non-profitable, charitable organisation. It was set up in 1963 to increase knowledge and awareness of CF and to give advice and support to people with Cystic Fibrosis and their families. The association provides support and assistance to people with CF and their families. There are currently 22 branches of the Association throughout the country, with approximately 1,500 members nationally.
About GOLFAID
GOLFAID is a charity established by The European Tour Players with the aim of raising funds for deserving organizations and projects worldwide under the maxim of, ‘Golfers Giving Back'.
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Contact Information:
Media:
Guy Genney, + 353 1 542 8412 or +44 208 380 3786, Genworth Financial
guy.genney@genworth.com
