“Birdies Fore Backpacks” Returns as Wyndham Championship Official Charity; Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation

“BIRDIES FORE BACKPACKS” BEGINS THIRD RUN AS WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL CHARITY;
WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MAKES $100,000
DONATION TO FIGHT PIEDMONT TRIAD CHILDHOOD HUNGER;
Charitybuzz Online Auction Added to Fundraising Effort

http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/birdies-fore-backpacks-3/

GREENSBORO, N.C. – “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” the program launched in 2014 to fight childhood food insecurity in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina returns for a third run as the Wyndham Championship’s official charity this year, the tournament announced today. The 77th annual Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 15-21, 2016 at Sedgefield Country Club.

During its first two campaigns, Birdies Fore Backpacks raised nearly $350,000 to help feed hungry children in the Piedmont Triad. In 2016, the program returns with a $100,000 seed donation from the Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation, the tournament’s official charity partner.

New in 2016, the Wyndham Championship is hosting an online auction through Charitybuzz. Net proceeds raised from this auction will benefit Birdies Fore Backpacks supporting children in the Piedmont Triad that do not have enough food to eat. Bidding for the 10 experiences below opens Monday, Aug. 8 at www.charitybuzz.com/Wyndham – bidding will close for each item on the date specified below:

1. “Fruitcakes in Vegas” – Travel to Las Vegas to Meet Jimmy Buffett and See Him in Concert
Package includes two VIP tickets to Jimmy Buffet performance in Las Vegas on Oct. 15, 2016; a meet & greet with Jimmy Buffett; four-day/three-night hotel stay at the Wyndham Grand Desert and roundtrip airfare courtesy of United Airlines. Bidding ends August 23.

2. Play Like a Pro – or better yet, like Wyndham’s own Brandt Snedeker
Package includes 15-minute golf lesson and lunch with PGA TOUR golfer Brandt Snedeker on Tuesday, Aug. 16 or Wednesday, Aug. 17 during the 2016 Wyndham Championship along with some Brandt Snedeker signed golf merchandise. Bidding ends August 15.

3. Spend a weekend Holmes-Away-From-Home in New York City: Lunch and conversation with Wyndham Worldwide Chairman and CEO, Steve Holmes in New York and see Hamilton on Broadway
Package includes lunch at Tavern on the Green with Wyndham Worldwide Chairman and CEO Stephen P. Holmes; two tickets to see Hamilton on Broadway; roundtrip airfare for two to New York City courtesy of United Airlines; and 2-night stay at TRYP by Wyndham. Bidding ends August 23.

4. Go, Speedracer, Go – and Try to Keep Up with NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick for a Day
Package includes two tickets to the Bank of America 500 in Charlotte on Oct. 8, 2016; two garage passes and a meet and greet with Kevin Harvick before the race; roundtrip airfare courtesy of United Airlines and 75,000 Wyndham Rewards points to book the Wyndham hotel of your choice. Winner and participants must be 18 years of age or older. Bidding ends August 23.

5. A Meeting with the King – Richard Petty
Package includes two pit passes to the Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Las Vegas on March 12, 2017, a meet and greet including photo opportunity with the king himself, Richard Petty, roundtrip airfare courtesy of United Airlines and 75,000 Wyndham Reward points to book the Wyndham hotel of your choice. Bidding ends August 23.

6. A Wyndham Reward – Meet the Wyndham Wyzard – Kristofer Hivju
Package includes 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points and an exclusive meet and greet opportunity for you and a friend with the Wyndham Wyzard, Krisofer Hivju (also known as Tormund on Game of Thrones) on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 at Sedgefield Country Club. Package includes two Thursday VIP tickets to the tournament with VIP parking and a professional photo of you and the Wyzard; exact timing of meet and greet to be determined. Bidding ends Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016.

7. Get Treated like a Wyndham Champion – You’ve Earned This!
Package includes two VIP hospitality tickets to Sunday’s final round at the 2016 Wyndham Championship, valet parking, two passes to the Wyndham Beach; an opportunity to walk-the course as an honorary observer inside the ropes with PGA TOUR golfers on Sunday; and get inside-the-ropes access during the Wyndham Championship trophy presentation. Bidding ends August 17.

8. All-Access Pass to the Wyndham Championship
Package includes exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a PGA TOUR event on a golf cart around Sedgefield Country Club on Thursday, Aug. 18 or Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Includes exclusive access to the CBS production trailer and a meet and greet with a PGA TOUR player (Includes two tickets to Thursday or Friday of the 2016 Wyndham Championship.) Bidding ends August 15.

9. Your Dream Wyndham Vacation – You’ve Earned This!
Package includes 105,000 Wyndham Reward Points good for VIP accommodations for seven nights to anywhere Wyndham takes you or any Wyndham Rewards element. Bidding ends August 23.

10. Calling All Wine Lovers…Grab Your Glass and Explore Napa!
Package includes four days/three nights stay at Dolce Silverado Resort and Spa, tucked away in California’s famous wine country; roundtrip airfare for two courtesy of United airlines; a round of golf on one of the two PGA Championship courses at Dolce Silverado Resort; and a relaxing spa treatment of your choice for you and your guest. Bidding ends August 23.

“The Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation is committed to improving the lives of future generations around the world through conservation, education and wellness,” Wyndham Worldwide senior vice president, corporate social responsibility Faith Taylor said. “Philanthropy has always been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship, and the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina is one of the top regions in the United States for food insecurity. Last year, Birdies Fore Backpacks raised enough money to provide more than 350,000 nutritious meals for more than 5,200 Piedmont Triad families. With the addition of the Charitybuzz online auction this year, we hope to raise even more.”

In addition to funds raised for Birdies Fore Backpacks through the Charitybuzz auction, individuals and corporations can make one-time donations or pledges of a certain amount for every birdie made by PGA TOUR professionals during official tournament play at this month’s 77th annual Wyndham Championship. Funds from the program will support 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organizations throughout the Piedmont Triad that provide backpacks of food for children in need.

“Food insecurity remains a major problem in our region of North Carolina,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “We know agencies like Backpack Beginnings and Out of the Garden Project in Greensboro, the High Point United Way and Forsyth Backpack, are making progress, but we still have a long way to go. The number of children that need our help is truly staggering, but all of us can help.

“By giving our sponsors, fans and volunteers an opportunity to participate in “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” whether it’s a bid in our new Charitybuzz online auction, one-time donation or a pledge per birdie made during the tournament, we are continuing a concerted effort to fight food insecurity, and we thank our partners at the Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation for their generous $100,000 donation in support of this vital program.”

On average, PGA TOUR professionals make approximately 1,600 birdies during the Wyndham each year. If that number holds true in 2016, a person who pledges one dime per birdie would donate $160 to “Birdies Fore Backpacks.” Individuals will be encouraged to pledge between one and 10 cents per birdie. Corporations will be encouraged to pledge at least 50 cents or $1 for each birdie for total donations of $800 or $1,600, respectively.

To take part in “Birdies Fore Backpacks”, fans can visit www.wyndhamchampionship.com/charities/birdies-fore-backpacks. Simply click on “Make a Donation” at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions. One-time donations can be made immediately, but for those who wish to donate a set amount per birdie made by PGA TOUR professionals during the Wyndham, the donation will be processed after the tournament.

Many children from low-income households receive the majority of their meals while in school during the week. The organizations receiving support from “Birdies Fore Backpacks” provide nutritionally-sound meals for the children to take home over the weekend. Donations totaling $10,000 feed 50 children for an entire school year.

The Piedmont Triad remains one of the top markets in the United States in which people struggle to get food, according to a Gallup poll. Research shows that children who are not well nourished cannot concentrate effectively and do not function well in school. Now more than ever, the Piedmont Triad needs “Birdies Fore Backpacks.”

About Charitybuzz:
Charitybuzz.com is the premier online charity auction platform, offering unique luxuries and extraordinary experiences with 80% of net revenue benefiting charitable organizations. The experiences auctioned are one of a kind, most often featuring adventures with some of the world’s most notable celebrities and influencers. The Charitybuzz bidding network is one of the largest, most affluent, philanthropic communities in the world having so far more than $174mm for global causes. Its roster of supporters includes President Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Tim Cook, Mick Jagger, Warren Buffet, Taylor Swift, Mike Bloomberg, Howard Stern, Billy Joel, HBO, Victoria’s Secret, Lady Gaga, John Varvatos, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bruce Springsteen, and Beyoncé. To learn more, visit www.charitybuzz.com
Charitybuzz is a proud member of The Charity Network https://charitynetwork.com.

About the Wyndham Championship:

Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the sixth-oldest event on the PGA TOUR excluding the Majors. Tickets are available at http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Worldwide, presenting sponsor BB&T and Premier Partners, Cadillac, Harris Teeter, Lincoln Financial, McConnell Golf, Sunbrella®, Technology Concepts & Design, Inc. and VF Corporation for their continued support. Additional tournament information and sponsorship information are available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com. Stay connected with the Wyndham Championship through its social media channels, including the Wyndham Championship Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Flickr and YouTube.