Sold out Joe Carter Classic celebrity golf tournament attracts new corporate sponsors for 2013

TORONTO, May 31, 2013 /CNW/ - For a fourth straight year, the Joe Carter Classic celebrity golf tournament in support of the Children's Aid Foundation has sold out of available foursomes. The popular charity event, presented by lead sponsors BlackBerry, Canada Goose and TD Bank Group, has quickly developed a reputation as one of the top charity golf tournaments in the country and is thrilled to announce Nike, Plaza Kia and Vespa Toronto West as new sponsors this year.

"To be able to outfit our celebrity golfers in Nike golf gear and announce Kia as our official car and Vespa as our official scooter of the tournament are major milestones for us," said Joe Carter, event co-chair and former Toronto Blue Jays' World Series hero. "I'm extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, most of whom have been with us since day one, helping us work towards our goal to raise awareness and funding for the Children's Aid Foundation."

The Joe Carter Classic pairs golfers with celebrity pro-athletes and big and small screen entertainers to play at one of Ontario's top ranked courses, Eagles Nest Golf Club on June 18, 2013. Each of the 18-holes is corporate sponsored with activities, free swag and prizes, including this year a chance to win a 2013 Kia Rio LX car and 2013 Vespa LX50 scooter. Golfers and celebrities will end the night at the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Toronto for a private VIP after-party, presented by Strellson. Long-time corporate involvement for the event, which also includes Lug and Via Rail, has helped the Joe Carter Classic raise and pledge to date a combined $750,000 for the Children's Aid Foundation.

"BlackBerry takes great pride in being part of a Canadian event that brings athletes and celebrities together to support the Children's Aid Foundation. We are a company that has a long history of community building here in Canada. Sponsoring events like the Joe Carter Classic is another opportunity for us to give back in a tangible way," said Andrew MacLeod, BlackBerry managing director for Canada.

"It's easy to see why sponsors, celebrities and golfers are lining up to participate in this tournament - it's a world class event and Canada Goose is proud to support Joe's efforts to raise important funds for a vital Canadian cause," said Dani Reiss, president and CEO, Canada Goose Inc.

This year's Classic looks to top its already landmark year in 2012 with many new and returning big name celebrities, including Charlie Sheen, Marcus Allen, Ray Bourque, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Marshall Faulk, Eric Lindros, Jonathan Ogden and Kelly Gruber. "Each year we challenge ourselves to raise the bar for sponsor, celebrity and golfer experiences," said James Dodds, event co-chair and TD Bank Group executive. "We're excited to have succeeded in growing at every level so that we can put on our biggest event yet."

For a full list of attending celebrities, a chance to win prizes and access to the event, and tournament updates go to: www.joecarterclassic.com, "like" us on Facebook at Joe Carter Golf Classic, and follow us on Twitter at @JoeCarterGolf.

The Joe Carter Classic thanks all its 2013 sponsors.

Presenting Sponsors: BlackBerry, Canada Goose, TD Bank Group Supporting Sponsors: Canada Realty, CIBC, J.F. Moore Communications, LUG, Nike, Plaza Kia, SDI Marketing, Toronto Star, Via Rail After Party Sponsors: American Express, Belvedere Vodka, Shangri La Hotel, Strellson Beverage Sponsors: Charton Hobbs, Coca Cola, Labatt, Reception Sponsor: Diesel Practice Round Sponsor: Denovo Driving Range Sponsor: WN Pharmaceuticals Venue Sponsor: York Major Holdings Lunch Sponsor: Jolera Refreshment Sponsor: RBC Capital Markets

Golf Cart Sponsor: Xerox Foursome Sponsors: BroadConnect Telecom, Cassels Brock, Gowlings, HSBC, IBM, Lafarge, NBCUniversal, Norton Rose, Torys LLP In-Kind Sponsors:  Aeroplan, Eagles Nest, Gillette, Greens Fee Passport, Pizza Pizza, Vespa Toronto West Hole Sponsors: Able Translations, Able Transportation, Bergmanis Preyra, Calian Capital, The Canavan Family Foundation, Celebrity Cruises, Cranson Capital, DSF, The Firkin Group of Pubs, Golfer Aid, GoodLife Fitness, KRG Children's Charitable Foundation, Macquarie, Manulife Financial, Maple Lodge Farms, Medcan Clinic, PopChips, Reilly Security, Stikeman Elliott, Trophy Foods, Unilever, Vita Coco Partners: BNA, Distinctive Foto, Famous Folks, Frozen Pond, Golf Client Services, System 4

About the Joe Carter Classic
The annual Joe Carter Classic charity golf tournament pairs avid golfers with top name celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment. Proceeds from the event go towards supporting the education and development of Canadian youth through the Joe Carter Scholarship Fund and the Joe Carter Family Support Fund. Since 2010, the Joe Carter Classic has raised and pledged a combined $750,000 to benefit the Children's Aid Foundation. For more information, including sponsorship details, visit http://www.joecarterclassic.com/

About the Children's Aid Foundation
One in every 25 children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse and neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children's Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future. For more information, visit http://www.cafdn.org/

SOURCE: Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament

For media inquiries, please contact:

Nancy Vye
TD Bank Group
416-308-5164
[email protected]