5 Surprising Facts About the PGA Tour: A Must-Read for Golf Enthusiasts
As a golf enthusiast, you probably know a lot about the PGA Tour. You know who the top players are, which courses host the biggest tournaments, and what the current standings are. But did you know that the PGA Tour is a non-profit organisation? Or that it has a strong focus on charity? In this article, we’ll go over five surprising facts about the PGA Tour that you may not have known before.
Introduction to the PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the premier professional golf tour in the world. It was founded in 1929 and has since grown to include dozens of tournaments each year. The tour is made up of the top golfers from around the world, who compete for millions of dollars in prize money and the coveted FedEx Cup trophy.
Fact #1: The PGA Tour is a Non-Profit Organisation
One of the most surprising facts about the PGA Tour is that it is a non-profit organisation. This means that the tour doesn’t exist to make money for its owners or shareholders, but rather to promote the sport of golf and support charitable causes. The PGA Tour has donated over $2 billion to charity since its inception.
The non-profit model allows the PGA Tour to reinvest its earnings into the sport of golf and support important causes. For example, the tour has a program called “Birdies for the Brave”, which supports military veterans and their families. The tour also has a program called “First Tee”, which teaches children valuable life skills through the game of golf.
Fact #2: The PGA Tour Has a Strong Focus on Charity
As mentioned, the PGA Tour has a strong focus on charity. The tour’s charitable giving is one of its defining characteristics. Each tournament on the tour supports a local charity, and the tour as a whole supports several national and international causes.
One of the most notable charitable efforts of the PGA Tour is the “Drive to a Billion” campaign. This initiative aims to raise $1 billion for charity by 2025. The campaign has already raised over $700 million, with several years left to reach its goal.
Fact #3: The PGA Tour Has a Global Presence
While the PGA Tour is based in the United States, it has a global presence. The tour hosts tournaments in countries all over the world, including Mexico, China, and Japan. There is a whole division of the PGA Tour called the “PGA Tour International”, which oversees tournaments outside of the United States.
The global presence of the PGA Tour has helped to grow the sport of golf in new markets. It has also made the tour more accessible to fans around the world, who can watch tournaments online or on television.
Fact #4: The PGA Tour Has a Unique Scoring System
The PGA Tour is known for its unique scoring system, which sets it apart from other golf tours around the world. The scoring system used in PGA Tour events is called the “FedEx Cup points system.” Under this system, players earn points based on their performance in each tournament, with higher finishes earning more points. At the end of the season, the players with the most points qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs, a four-tournament series that culminates in the crowning of the season-long champion. The unique scoring system creates excitement and drama throughout the season, as players battle for position in the standings and compete for the coveted FedEx Cup trophy. and a $15 million prize.
Fact #5: The PGA Tour Has a History of Groundbreaking Moments
Throughout its history, the PGA Tour has been the site of many groundbreaking moments in the sport of golf. In 1948, Babe Zaharias became the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event. In 1961, Charlie Sifford became the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card. And in 1997, Tiger Woods became the first person of colour to win the Masters Tournament.
These moments, and many others like them, have helped to make the PGA Tour a more inclusive and diverse organisation.