Pure Insurance Championship: Bringing Golf and Philanthropy Together

The Pure Insurance Championship is a premier golf tournament that combines world-class golf with charitable giving. This event features some of the top golfers from the PGA TOUR Champions and is held annually at Pebble Beach, one of the most iconic golf courses in the world.

Since its inception in 2004, the Pure Insurance Championship has raised over $40 million for charity, benefiting organizations such as The First Tee, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. In addition to promoting golf, this event has become a significant platform for philanthropy.

History and Background

The Pure Insurance Championship was formerly known as the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, which started in 2004. The tournament was renamed to Pure Insurance Championship in 2018, after the naming rights were acquired by Pure Insurance. This change further cemented the tournament’s commitment to supporting charitable causes through golf.

The tournament is played over three days and features a unique pro-am format, where professionals are paired with junior golfers from The First Tee program. This provides an opportunity for the young golfers to play alongside top professionals and learn from them.

The First Tee Program

The First Tee is a non-profit youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and values to young people. The organization has chapters across the United States and in several countries around the world. The First Tee provides access to golf instruction, character education, and career exploration opportunities to young people from all backgrounds.

The Pure Insurance Championship is one of the flagship events of The First Tee, and it serves as a major fundraiser for the organization. The tournament provides an opportunity for young golfers to showcase their skills and interact with professionals, while also raising awareness and funds for The First Tee’s programs.

The Course

The Pure Insurance Championship is played on two golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course. Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most famous and picturesque golf courses in the world, and has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open.

Poppy Hills Golf Course is located just a few miles away from Pebble Beach, and is known for its challenging layout and spectacular views of the surrounding forests and hills.

The Players

Some of the top players from the PGA TOUR Champions participate in the Pure Insurance Championship. The tournament is open to professionals who are 50 years of age or older, and the field includes former major champions, Ryder Cup participants, and winners of multiple events on the tour.

Over the years, players such as Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, and Vijay Singh have participated in the Pure Insurance Championship.

The Format

The Pure Insurance Championship follows a unique pro-am format, where professionals are paired with junior golfers from The First Tee program. The teams play a modified alternate-shot format on the first day, followed by a better-ball format on the second day.

On the final day, the low 23 teams and ties play a final round of stroke play at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The professionals also compete in an individual stroke play competition over the three days, with a separate purse and trophy.

The Prize Money

The Pure Insurance Championship offers a total purse of $2.2 million, with $330,000 going to the winning team. The professionals also compete for a separate purse of $300,000, with the winner taking home $44,000.

FAQs

Who can play in the Pure Insurance Championship?

The Pure Insurance Championship is open to professionals who are 50 years of age or older, and junior golfers from The First Tee program.

What is the format of the tournament?

The tournament follows a unique pro-am format, where professionals are paired with junior golfers from The First Tee program. The teams play a modified alternate-shot format on the first day, followed by a better-ball format on the second day. On the final day, the low 23 teams and ties play a final round of stroke play at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

How is the tournament scored?

The tournament is scored using a modified Stableford scoring system, where players earn points based on their score on each hole. The team with the highest total points at the end of the tournament wins.

What is The First Tee program?

The First Tee is a non-profit youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and values to young people. The organization has chapters across the United States and in several countries around the world. The First Tee provides access to golf instruction, character education, and career exploration opportunities to young people from all backgrounds.

How much money has the Pure Insurance Championship raised for charity?

The Pure Insurance Championship has raised over $40 million for charity since its inception in 2004.

Conclusion

The Pure Insurance Championship is more than just a golf tournament. It’s an event that brings together golf and philanthropy, and provides an opportunity for young golfers to learn from professionals and showcase their skills. The tournament has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, benefiting organizations such as The First Tee, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. The Pure Insurance Championship is a must-watch event for golf enthusiasts and philanthropists alike.