Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Viking Classic Granted New Date for 2009

The Viking Classic, Mississippi's premiere professional sporting event, is pleased to announce that the PGA TOUR has granted the event a new date for 2009. Next year's event will be held October 26 – November 1, 2009, in a stand alone position on the PGA TOUR schedule.

“We are so pleased that the PGA TOUR thought so highly of the Viking Classic and its past success that it decided to award our tournament a new date,” said Randy Watkins, Viking Classic Tournament Director. “Being an unencumbered tournament will attract much more attention from the golf community around the world, which will only increase the excitement and success of the Viking Classic.”

The Viking Classic earned this stand alone date based on its success over the past two years and its storied history.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Viking Classic to Benefit Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children


The Viking Classic, Mississippi's premiere professional sporting event, and Century Club Charities, Inc. is pleased to announce the presentation of a check in the amount of $140,000 to the Friends of Children's Hospital (FOCH) and the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

“Century Club Charities and the Viking Classic are honored to be associated with the Friends of Children's Hospital and the Blair E. Batson hospital for Children,” said Bill Latham, President of Century Club Charities. “Naming them the primary beneficiary of the Viking Classic was a decision the members of Century Club Charities have been extremely proud of, and we are pleased to be able to present them with the initial check of $140,000. We look forward to increasing this amount over the years to come and working with their dedicated staff to promote such an amazing medical facility right here in Mississippi.”

Earlier this year FOCH was named the primary beneficiary of the proceeds from the Viking Classic. FOCH is a non-profit organization created to benefit the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. Batson is Mississippi's only hospital built specifically for the care and emergency treatment of children. FOCH ensures their patients have everything from stuffed animals to state-of-the-art medical equipment.

“I was really pleased and excited when Century Club Charities chose Children's Hospital as their designated charity,” said Dr. Bob Abney, President of FOCH. “This was such a natural association with precedence at several other PGA TOUR events. These tournament proceeds will be used to make each child's hospital stay the best it can be. We enjoyed working with the Viking Classic staff and look forward to next year's event.”
The check presentation took place on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

PGA TOUR's Mississippi Event Honored for Best Title Sponsor Integration

The Viking Classic (Madison, MS) was honored by the PGA TOUR at the TOUR's Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings this week. The Viking Classic earned the award for “Best Title Sponsor Integration” in 2008, given to the tournament that best melds the title sponsor's product with that of the PGA TOUR.

The theme at the 2008 Viking Classic was “Professional Cooking meets Professional Golf.” The tournament had celebrity chef demonstrations throughout the week, awarded a Viking kitchen valued at $50,000, with proceeds going directly to the tournament's charity, Friends of Children's Hospital. The Viking Classic also tied the two products of cooking and golf throughout their advertising thematic.

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to acknowledge and congratulate the outstanding job and special recognition the Viking Classic has received for its efforts,” said Rick George, PGA TOUR executive vice-president and chief of operations. “The tournament committee should be extremely proud for being recognized as the best among their peers on the TOUR.”

The 2008 Viking Classic, captured by Will MacKenzie, was held Sept. 18 – 21 at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, MS. Since becoming an official PGA TOUR event in 1994, champions have included Fred Funk (1998 and 2004), Luke Donald (2002) and Chad Campbell (2007).

“On behalf of the Tournament Staff, Century Club Charities, Sponsors, Volunteers and Fans, we are very proud to have a Mississippi based company like Viking Range Corporation as our title sponsor,” said Randy Watkins, Tournament Director. “This award is an indication of their dedication and commitment to making the Viking Classic the pride of all of Mississippi and the PGA TOUR.”