2016 check passing ceremony – pictured left to right: Shirl White (2016 Sandwich Factory Chair), Edward G. Shepherd, MD (Section Chief of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital), Michelle Francisco (2016 Back 9 concessions Chair), Joanie Roma (2016 Courtesy Cars Chair), Dan Sullivan (Executive Director of the Memorial Tournament), Jessica Ossege (2016 Bears for Children’s and Patron Information Chair), Paula Ferguson (2016 Women’s Division Committee Chair), Steve Allen, MD (CEO Nationwide Children’s Hospital), Marcy Williams (Women’s Division Committee Chair Advisor), Miranda Roberts (2016 Hospitality Chair), Christina Copeland (2017 Women’s Division Committee Chair), Laura Lewis (Front 9 Concessions Chair), Leif Nelin, MD (Division Chief of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital)
Officials of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide announced that the 41st playing of the prestigious invitational, concluded June 5, 2016, raised $2,166,000 for charitable organizations in central Ohio, including a record-setting $1,676,500 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through an alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. Since its first playing in 1976, the Memorial has eclipsed $27 million in donations to central Ohio charities, with more than $16.5 million going to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
True to the hearts of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide includes as one of its primary objectives a genuine philanthropic vision. Embodied in the Memorial’s enduring partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and support of the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric care is at the center of each campaign and event these entities jointly execute.
“Charitable giving has been a core initiative for the Memorial from its beginning, and we are proud that the Tournament has been successful in growing its commitment to the local community and charity, especially its more than 40-year relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital” said Dan Sullivan, the Tournament’s executive director. “The shared philanthropic vision of presenting sponsor Nationwide has also been vital to our annual successful charitable campaign and the Memorial is grateful to continue that relationship through the 2021 Tournament.
“Other contributors to the Memorial’s record year in charitable giving include the success of events like the annual Legends Luncheon and the FORE! Miler,” Sullivan added. “In addition, the dedication and commitment exhibited by the Tournament’s volunteer corps, in particular the members of the Women’s Division Committee and the over 2,000 Nationwide Children’s Hospital volunteers, is an essential ingredient in making the Memorial one of the top tournaments on the PGA TOUR and a must-attend event in central Ohio.”
“Another year of record giving by the Memorial Tournament illustrates the exemplary philanthropic vision of Tournament founder Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, and the generosity of the Memorial Tournament, Nationwide, Tournament staff, volunteers and the community,” Steve Allen, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said. “On behalf of all the patients, families and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we are grateful for everyone’s continued commitment to ensuring Nationwide Children’s Hospital is at the forefront of providing life-changing research and care.”
Nationwide, which has been the Tournament sponsor for seven years, shares a similar tradition of support for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Nationwide is committed to broadening the impact of its presenting sponsorship of the Memorial Tournament to bring greater awareness and increased funding to Nationwide Children’s and to those who benefit the most: families and children in need of care. That commitment was on full display in December 2015, when Nationwide, the Memorial Tournament and PGA TOUR announced a six-year relationship that began with the 2016 Tournament. The agreement extends the partnership between the three organizations through 2021.
“The Memorial Tournament provides a national platform to tell the story of the life-saving work being done at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Terrance Williams, Nationwide’s chief marketing officer. “We’re honored to partner with a tournament that generates much-needed funding and attention to the mission of the hospital, which is to provide outstanding care to every child, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.”
The 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide is scheduled for May 29–June 4 at world-renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club. The public may call the Tournament Ticket Office 9 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays at 877-MT BADGE or visit mtbadge.com to purchase badges. Kids 16 and under can attend for free with a ticketed adult, and kids 18 and under are admitted free on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, for Junior Golf Day. Daily practice round tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are also available. The introductory cost is $35 through January 31, and they are valid for all three practice-round days.
About the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide
The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the world’s best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit many Greater Columbus Charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and numerous other local organizations. For more information, visit www.thememorialtournament.com or call 614-889-6700.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; specialty health; pet, motorcycle, boat and farm insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2016-17 list of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare systems providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 11,000 providing state-of-the-art pediatric care during more than 1.2 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. Nationwide Children’s remains true to the original mission since its founding in 1892 of providing care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.
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