Nicklaus Children’s foundation receives $2M from the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic
JUPITER — Palm Beach County's PGA Tour event has made a $2 million gift to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
This gift marks The Cognizant Classic's first donation to a charity since it rebranded itself after years as The Honda Classic. Its staff gave the same amount to Nicklaus Children’s — a nonprofit founded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara that supports pediatric health care — as they have over the past few years.
The tournament donates to charities every year from money raised at the event, which this year took place from Feb. 29-March 3 at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens. Last year, it gifted $7.2 million to more than 100 South Florida organizations.
Cognizant Classic expects more donations to occur in 2024
The tournament expects to issue gifts totaling $6.5 million toward charitable organizations in South Florida this year, according to Todd Fleming, the tournament's executive director.
“Today’s announcement furthers the commitment to community that the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches has been known for,” said Fleming, who announced the donation during a news conference at Jupiter Medical Center. “We are excited to continue building on that tradition of giving back for years to come.”
Michele Jacobs, the vice president of Children’s Healthcare Charity, Cognizant Classic’s organization which allocates its donations, said there is “no greater need” in communities than preventing childhood diseases and disorders.
“Today’s announcement is a tremendous example of how sports can play a role in that core mission,” Jacobs said.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cognizant Classic gifts $2 million to Nicklaus Children's foundation
