BI-LO Charities Announces 28th Annual BI-LO Charity Classic, Nation's Largest One Day Golf Tournament

GREENVILLE, S.C., June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BI-LO Charities announces the 28th Annual BI-LO Charity Classic, to be held June 4 - 6, 2011.  The weekend will also be a celebration of BI-LO's 50th Anniversary of retail business. The tournament will be held at 11 different golf courses throughout Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, with close to 1,200 golfers from around the United States participating. The fundraising goal for the 2011 event is $4,575,000.

"We are particularly excited about focusing on 50 years of commitment to our customers and our communities. The theme of this year's Charity Classic gives a nod to the opening of our first store in 1961," said BI-LO President and CEO, Michael Byars.

Celebrating its 28th year, the BI-LO Charity Classic has raised more than $53,000,000 for non-profit organizations throughout BI-LO's four-state operating region of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. More than 300 non-profit organizations were provided funding in 2010 that focus on BI-LO Charities' three key initiatives:  children, education and hunger relief.

"Not only does the BI-LO Charity Classic allow us to give back to the communities where we live and serve, it also brings more than $3 million dollars in economic impact to the Upstate during the tournament," said Anthea Jones, senior vice president of store operations and co-chairman of the BI-LO Charity Classic.

The weekend will kick-off with a business Roundtable for grocery suppliers on Saturday afternoon, and a banquet for top sponsors that evening. The Pairings Party and Auction is open to the public and will be held Sunday evening, June 5.  Auction bidding opens at 5:00pm at the Hartness Estate. Tickets for the Pairings Party and Auction are available to the public for purchase, prior to the event.

"Amid the excitement which surrounds the BI-LO Charity Classic Tournament, the Pairings Party and Auction is one of the largest gatherings on the event itinerary. This event is open to the public and according to one of our long-time attendees, is the grandest charity auction you will ever attend!" said Carol Browning, Executive Director of BI-LO Charities.

The evening will include a heavy hors d'oeuvres menu catered by The Thornblade Club and five separate auctions.

The Captain's Choice Tournament will begin on Monday, June 6, at 10:00am at the following prestigious golf courses in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina:  Champion Hills, Chanticleer at Greenville Country Club, Cliffs at Glassy, Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, Cliffs Valley, Kenmure Country Club, Keowee Key, Musgrove Mill, Riverside at Greenville Country Club, Reserve at Lake Keowee and Thornblade. The BMW Performance Center Driving Experience is also offered for those participants who choose "to drive in a different way." The weekend will conclude with an Awards Banquet for golf participants, held Monday.

BI-LO Charities and Robert Mondavi  Winery, will be hosting the newest addition to the BI-LO Charity Classic: Nine with Wine. This unique ladies golf outing will be held on Monday, June 6, at the Country Club of Spartanburg. The event will feature nine holes of golf with a wine tasting at every other hole. The ladies will have the opportunity to vote for one of four Upstate charities to receive proceeds from the event. A Child's Haven, Clement's Kindness, Julie Valentine Center and The South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind will receive funding based on ballot results. The funding announcements will be made at the luncheon after play concludes.  

For the fifth straight year, BI-LO Charity Classic will present the First Tee Invitational on Friday, June 3, at Pebble Creek Golf Club, benefiting the children of Greenville's and Spartanburg's First Tee Chapters. These children will receive valuable tips and instruction from PGA Professionals and college golfers and will play nine holes with an adult mentor.  The First Tee program's mission is to impact young lives by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life enhancing values taught through the game of golf.

For more information about the tournament and events, visit www.bi-locharities.org.

About the BI-LO Charity Classic

The BI-LO Charity Classic began in 1984 as a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels and has grown to be the largest one-day charity golf tournament in the United States.  During the past 27 years the tournament has raised more than $53,000,000 to support hundreds of charities throughout BI-LO's four-state operating area of South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, Funds from the Charity Classic go toward supporting organizations that focus on BI-LO Charities' key initiatives to children's charities, hunger relief and education.

SOURCE BI-LO Charities