KAILUA-KONA — Tournament officials from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai presented a charitable donation in the amount of $62,500 to the Rotary Club of Kona on Thursday afternoon.
The donation was presented by tournament manager Kelly Fliear and Mitsubishi Electric operations manager Chris Webster of the Mitsubishi Electric Elevator and Escalator U.S. division. The donation was the third of three contributions made in recent months, following contributions to the Daniel R. Sayre Foundation and the Big Island Junior Golf Association earlier this year, totaling $72,500.
The contributions from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai support essential equipment training to the Hawaii Island Fire Department and assist the growth, development of junior golf and the Rotary Club of Kona.
Since the tournament began in 1997, The Rotary Club of Kona has played an integral role in recruiting and organizing the hundreds of tournament volunteers. Each year, more than 400 volunteers contribute their time, talents and aloha spirit in servicing the sponsors, spectators and players at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort to ensure a successful event.
“After 22 years of PGA Tour Champions golf at Hualalai Golf Course, we are pleased to announce these charitable contributions continue to grow year after year,” said PGA Tour Champions President, Miller Brady. “These deserving non-profit groups are outstanding citizens in the community and we are proud that the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is able to provide contributions to help them continue their fantastic work. Since PGA Tour Champions arrived on Hawaii in 1997, the tournament has raised more than $1 million for local charities. None of this would be possible without our wonderful partners, Mitsubishi Electric, the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.”
“It is gratifying to have the opportunity to give back to the community in such a meaninul way,” said Kent Hora, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. “It is even more satisfying to know that the charitable contributions from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship grow year over year. We could not do all that we do without the wonderful volunteers and others in the community.”
The 2018 event was won by Jerry Kelly, who went on to finish the season ranked No. 6 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
This year’s Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will be held Jan. 17-19. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit pgatour.com/mec.