It was a beautiful day Tuesday at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai as a handful of grateful people from Big Island nonprofits gathered on the oceanside 18th tee at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Hualalai Golf Course.
The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai held its charitable contribution check presentation, celebrating the tournament’s contributions for 2022. Since the Mitsubishi Electric Championship moved to Hualalai Golf Course in 1997, the tournament has donated $1.65 million to local community organizations.
“Giving back is one of the trademarks of PGA TOUR Champions,” said Tournament Manager Kelly Fliear. “We are grateful for our PGA TOUR Champions players, Mitsubishi Electric, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Charles Schwab and all of our supporting sponsors and Pro-Am participants, whose participation create such a worthwhile community impact. We are proud of our partnership with each of these all volunteer-run charitable organizations.”
A total of $225,579 was split up among the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation, the Daniel R. Sayre Foundation, Hualalai Ohana Foundation, Pua ka ‘Ilima Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park and the Big Island Junior Golf Association.
The ceremony was attended by Max Oya and Mike Corbo from Mitsubishi Electric, Kris Hazard, Larry Webb and Alan Clarke from the Rotary Club of Kona, Nico Verissimo, Hualalai Ohana Foundation, Frank and Laura Sayre from the Daniel R. Sayre Foundation and Brandy and Max Volpe from the Big Island Junior Golf Association and Brendan Moynahan, director of Golf Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and Kahu Billy Mitchell.
“Mitsubishi Electric is committed to creating a more connected and sustainable world, not only through our company’s solutions, but also through our relationships on and off the golf course,” said Mike Corbo, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US. “We are proud to be able to contribute to the Kona community through this amazing tournament.”
In further support of communities surrounding Mitsubishi Electric’s PGA TOUR Champions tournaments, they are also contributing to Blessings in a Backpack. At both title events Mitsubishi sponsors, guests will pack 500 backpacks that go to local elementary school children who may be experiencing food insecurity as almost one in four children may struggle with access to meals.
All three rounds of the 2023 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will be televised live on GOLF Channel Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the gate and are $25 daily. Juniors 16 and under, and active and retired military are complimentary. First tee time is 10:05 a.m. Thursday.