The Butterfield Bermuda Championship, together with joint title sponsors Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) and Butterfield, are pleased to announce the 2022 tournament helped to benefit more than 60 local charities with a community impact totaling $1.1 million.
The figure builds on last year, which saw 40 participating charities benefit from $650,000, and was achieved through a combination of initiatives, including the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Birdies for Charity, the BF&M Volunteer Programme and other affiliated events.
Tournament director, Danielle Carrera, said, "We are delighted to have been able to have such an overwhelming and positive charitable and community impact last year. Alongside world-class golf, charitable giving and community impact have long been at the heart of PGA TOUR events, and the Butterfield Bermuda Championship is no different. This takes the tournament's overall charity and community impact to more than $2 million since the tournament's inception in 2019. For that, we must thank the generous support of our sponsors, partners, volunteers and, of course, the players and the fans. Giving back to our host community is of great importance to all of us here; Really, it's why we do what we do."
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship Birdies for Charity, the tournament's main charitable driver where sponsors match the fundraising efforts of participating Bermuda charities, helped 60 entities earn additional dollars in the six months between July and November. A number of charities succeeded in raising the maximum amount of $50,000 through the programme and received a matching bonus of $5,750. Matching funds were made possible by Butterfield, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Mastercard, Digicel Business, AXA XL, The Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, Somerset Re, BF&M, and Island Construction.
The BF&M Volunteer Programme enabled the tournament's 603 vital volunteers the opportunity to donate their time to the charity of their choice, amounting to just over $60,000.
A Butterfield spokesperson said, "Supporting charitable initiatives and organisations that work to enhance our community is important to Butterfield and to our employees, many of whom volunteered for the tournament and donated their time to charity. As hosts of the Butterfield Family Day, we took the additional step of supporting a junior ticket design competition for local schools, which saw an additional award go to the Bermuda Institute for the winning student Zea Swainson".
Erin Smith, Bermuda Tourism Authority COO, said, "We believe that community involvement is key for events such as this and for tourism more broadly. As such, we are pleased to continue to be the title sponsor of an event that not only showcases what our island has to offer but gives back to the community. We look forward to partnering for another successful year with an even greater charitable impact."
This year's event partnered with the Bermuda Golf Association once again to enhance its scholarship fund with $15,000 to award to aspiring local teaching golf professionals and those who wish to explore a career in golf.
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship also enabled the first-ever international Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) event to be held on island, with local Bermudians Camiko Smith, Cory DeSilva, Damian Palanyandi and Oliver Betschart competing.
Kenneth Bentley, CEO of the APGA Tour, said, "It was a huge opportunity for our players to come and compete in Bermuda and to increase the visibility of our tour, putting the spotlight on the message of equality and inclusion. This event would not have happened if it wasn't for the support of the tournament and its sponsors, and our thanks go to everyone."
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