RBC challenges top PGA TOUR members to play it forward in support of children's charities

#RBCGolf4Kids launches with $300,000 in prize money

TORONTO, April 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Proving it's not just their play on the course, but what they do off the course that makes them good, 10 PGA TOUR members gathered in Hilton Head, S.C. this morning to launch #RBCGolf4Kids, a new online challenge designed to raise money and awareness for several children's charities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140416/TO932)

 #RBCGolf4Kids invites Team RBC golfers and the public to engage in a fun social media challenge. By sharing a unique player hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at www.RBCmakeyourmark.com, fans can help their favourite player win a share of the $300,000 donation from RBC, for his or her charity of choice.

"This friendly competition off the course will require social media prowess in addition to top notch golf skills. You've heard of paying it forward, this is Team RBC playing it forward," said Jane Broderick, chief brand and communications officer, RBC. "With some of the game's most charitable golfers on our team, we know they are equally as committed as we are to making a difference in the lives of kids."

Golfers will compete in a series of entertaining weekly challenges - such as sharing their best Throwback Thursday (#TBT) photo or crazy trick shot video - and will challenge each other and fans to do the same. The ultimate winner will be determined by the player whose hashtag is used the most. The challenge launches today, just two days before the RBC Heritage and will wrap up at the RBC Canadian Open, during the week of July 21 at the Royal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.

"I'm proud to be part of this unique program to support Blessings in a Backpack and all of the other incredible organizations that work tirelessly to help children," enthused Morgan Pressel, LPGA golfer and member of Team RBC. "I'm determined to make a difference and can't wait to take on my teammates in what promises to be one of the most heated competitions this summer."

"We're always delighted to see our sponsors and players engage in new campaigns to raise awareness and funds - like #RBCGolf4Kids - as golf has been intrinsically linked to philanthropy for decades," said Ty Votaw, EVP & chief global communications officer of the PGA TOUR. "The PGA TOUR and its tournaments recently surpassed the $2 billion milestone in all-time charitable giving and we're pleased to continue that legacy with this innovative competition."

With charities from around the world as potential benefactors, these are the organizations Team RBC is supporting:

Team RBC Player	Charity	Hashtag
Stephen Ames	Hull Services	#RBCAmes
Graham DeLaet	Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan	#RBCDeLaet
Luke Donald	Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC- CNI)	#RBCDonald
Ernie Els	Els For Autism	#RBCEls
Jim Furyk	Blessings in a Backpack	#RBCFuryk
David Hearn	Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada	#RBCHearn
Hunter Mahan	Blessings in a Backpack	#RBCMahan
Graeme McDowell	Children's Medical Research Foundation (CMRF)	#RBCMcDowell
Morgan Pressel	Blessings in a Backpack	#RBCPressel
Brandt Snedeker	Our Kids	#RBCSnedeker
Mike Weir	Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation	#RBCWeir

Visit rbcmakeyourmark.com for more information.

RBC GOLF
RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR and Golf Canada. RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals David Hearn, Graham DeLaet, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, and Morgan Pressel. As the title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada's grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization. For more information, visit rbc.com/golf. 

 

SOURCE: RBC

Shauna Cook, RBC Brand Sponsorship Communications, RBC, 416-974-6286, [email protected]

Alicia DeBoer, Brand & Corporate Citizenship Communications, RBC, 416-974-2131, [email protected]