The Shaw Charity Classic – How a golf tournament has grown to support over 180 charities across Alberta

In 2013 Clay Riddell and JR Shaw shook hands and embarked on the adventure of bringing a professional golf tournament to Calgary. They weren’t doing it as golf fans, although that didn’t hurt, they were doing it because they wanted a platform to raise money for children’s charities in Alberta. The PGA TOUR Champions gave them a tournament, Canyon Meadows agreed to host and Labour Day weekend became the Shaw Charity Classic in Calgary.

Fast forward to 2018, the Shaw Charity Classic is heading towards the 6^th running of the tournament and has been breaking records for charitable giving every year since inception. This year we have set an ambitious goal of helping raise $10 million, bringing the grand total to just over $32 million raised since 2013. It is safe to say that Mr. Riddell and Mr. Shaw must be pleased with the results.

How has the tournament managed to thrive in such tough economic times and continued to grow despite pipeline disputes, political turmoil, and a city full of other events competing for funding? Well the business plan is fairly simple, provide a unique event that people want to attend all while giving companies and individuals the opportunity to make a difference and give back to the Alberta community. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the Shaw Charity Classic are directed to the Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program. This program provides additional funding to charities across Alberta that support children and youth. Every donation that comes through this program is matched up to 50% and 100% of each donation is given back to the selected charity. To date, the foundation has received thousands of donations from across the globe and supports over 180 children and youth based charities across Alberta, touching the lives of over 480,000 youth. Without the tournament there would be no foundation, no sponsors, and no Birdies for Kids matching program that has provided children the ability to live life to the fullest extent and dream big.

To gain this support, the tournament has to provide value to the companies and individuals who come on board as partners. Setting up bleachers and an admissions tent for spectators is great, but it isn’t enough. To provide value and comfort, we build extravagant hospitality structures, host two days of a championship Pro-Am and entertain clients at special events such as our glow in the dark Shootout at the Meadows. We also offer a variety of brandable assets that are available throughout the year and tournament week so that our partners can gain brand exposure to an affluent and engaged Alberta market.

The Calgary business community has hundreds of events to choose from and we are grateful that the Shaw Charity Classic has been chosen as “the signature event” for many companies already. The great thing about a golf tournament is that there is always room for growth. The course is a blank canvas ready for us to create. We can build more hospitality venues, add special events and create endless new branding opportunities. We continue to work on bringing new partners to the table and providing them with the value that we promise as a tournament and that is expected of the only PGA TOUR Champions event in Canada.

Interested in getting involved? Here is a look at one of the many hospitality venues, the Crow’s Nest @ 16

The Crow’s Nest @ at 16 is one of our 4 corporate hospitality venues on-site during the Shaw Charity Classic. The Crow’s Nest features a great view of the 16^th hole at Canyon Meadows G&CC, which is a difficult par 3. Packages offer all-inclusive food and beverage service, private VIP washrooms, tent coverage, VIP parking and HDTV streaming in the tent.

Customize your group package size based on your hosting needs. Unreserved seating allows you to find seats with your guests as you come and go from the tent to head out and take in the sights of the Fan Experience Area or follow your favorite golf group as they finish the last few holes.

Crow’s Nest packages start as low as $275 per person and the best part is that you know you are supporting children and youth based charities across Alberta.

 

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