GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), the global hospitality company that makes travel more accessible for more people in more places than anyone else, will once again welcome tens of thousands of spectators to the 77th annual Wyndham Championship this week. The Most Fan-Friendly tournament on the PGA TOUR invites fans to "Escape with Wyndham" and enjoy not-to-be missed PGA TOUR golf in a vacation-like setting and take part in family-fun activities, prize giveaways and the opportunity to help raise funds for multiple charitable causes.
"Birdies Fore Backpacks," the program launched in 2014 to fight childhood food insecurity in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is proud to return for a third year as the tournament's official charity with a $100,000 seed donation from the Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation, the tournament's official charity partner.
"We take great pride in calling the Piedmont Triad home of the Wyndham Championship and look forward to welcoming thousands of fans for a week of great golf, games and giving-back," said Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and chief executive officer, Wyndham Worldwide. "We are committed to providing great vacation experiences for millions of people around the world and we do business in a way that can make our associates and partners proud, including everyone here with us at the Wyndham Championship. Our culture drives us to do good for the people and the communities around us, which is why charitable giving plays such an important role in this tournament."
Held annually at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship is, for many fans, their last relaxing escape of the summer, and for the players, it's the last PGA TOUR stop before the FedExCup Playoffs and seen as a must-play for those looking to earn points to either qualify for or improve their standing entering the Playoffs. This year, the tournament also plays a vital role in determining what golfers will qualify for the 2016 United States Ryder Cup team. The eight golfers that qualify for the team on points will be announced Aug, 29 making the Wyndham Championship the second-to-last opportunity to earn Ryder Cup points.
Giving Back Takes Center Stage at this Year's Tournament
As the world's largest hospitality company, Wyndham Worldwide is not only committed to providing great-vacation experiences for its guests, but also to giving back and serving the local communities where it operates. The Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation is committed to improving the lives of future generations around the world through conservation, education and wellness. Philanthropy has always been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship and the goal is to create a minimum of $1 million in charitable impact each year to benefit the Piedmont Triad.
"Birdies Fore Backpacks" supports local charitable organizations, including Backpack Beginnings, Forsyth Backpacks, Out of the Garden Project and United Way of High Point, which fill backpacks with nutritionally sound meals for children from low-income families to take home every weekend. Last year, enough money was raised to provide more than 350,000 nutritious meals for over 5,200 families in the region. Fans and businesses can make a one-time donation or pledges for every birdie made by PGA TOUR professionals during official tournament play.
This year, the tournament introduced an online auction featuring fun prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with net proceeds benefiting "Birdies Fore Backpacks." Auction items include lunch and a private putting lesson from PGA TOUR golfer Brandt Snedeker, the chance to attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with driver Kevin Harvick, an exclusive meet and greet moment with the Wyndham Rewards Wyzard, Kristofer Hivju and the opportunity to meet Jimmy Buffet at one of his upcoming concerts in Las Vegas. The auction runs through August 23rd with some lots closing earlier. For more information please visit www.Charitybuzz.com/Wyndham.
In another tournament first, this year Wyndham Worldwide is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to donate its Key-to-Wyn house to a deserving family. Key-to-Wyn is Wyndham Worldwide's on-site expo designed as one of its vacation properties. Later this year, the house will be rebuilt to become a home for a deserving family in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina.
Escape with Wyndham – "You've Earned This"
Since becoming the title sponsor in 2007, Wyndham Worldwide has introduced innovations that enhance the onsite-spectator experience, resulting in numerous recognitions including being named the PGA TOUR's "Most Fan-Friendly Event" in 2015. That tradition continues this year with a celebratory vacation-inspired atmosphere that invites fans to "Escape with Wyndham." Fans can try and unlock one of hundreds of prizes at the beach-themed Key- to-Wyn expo, enjoy face painting, bungee jumping, rock climbing and more at the Kid's Adventure Zone, and visit Margaritaville at the Wyndham, the tournament hospitality hub that evokes a vacation spirit by the shore. Wyndham will also encourage fans to "walk the course" and count their way to 10,000 steps by giving away pedometers and walking maps at the Key- to-Wyn experience.
This year the Wyndham Rewards Wyzard returns to the tournament, appearing magically throughout the course bringing the Wyndham Rewards award-winning loyalty program to life while underscoring the programs core tenant and tagline "You've earned this.®"
As a past recipient of the PGA TOUR's "Best Social Media Activation" award, the Wyndham Championship is once again encouraging fans to get social at the #WyndhamChamp Social Gallery. Located on the ninth green on the Sunbrella® Sun Deck, the #WyndhamChamp Social Gallery is a place for fans to recharge with nearby concessions and enjoy features like free phone charging stations, .gif-making stations, special guest appearances, a live social and interactive photo mosaic and a video wall where fans can follow tournament action through social media. Fans should also keep their eyes open for the Wyndham Championship Tweet Patrol that will be randomly awarding anyone tweeting Wyndham Championship moments.
About Wyndham Worldwide
Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) is one of the largest global hospitality companies, providing travelers with access to a collection of trusted hospitality brands in hotels, vacation ownership, and unique accommodations including vacation exchange, holiday parks, and managed home rentals. With a collective inventory of more than 120,000 places to stay across 100 countries on six continents, Wyndham Worldwide and its 38,000 associates welcomes people to experience travel the way they want. This is enhanced by Wyndham Rewards®, the Company's re-imagined guest loyalty program across its businesses, which is making it simpler for members to earn more rewards and redeem their points faster. For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.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.
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