ATLANTA – The TOUR Championship today announced the creation of the HOPE Shot Scholarship as part of a record $3.7 million charitable donation that was generated from the 2021 tournament that saw Patrick Cantlay claim his first FedExCup title at East Lake Golf Club.

The HOPE Shot Scholarship will annually award $5,000 to each HOPE Tee Shot honoree on behalf of the TOUR Championship. On Thursday of the TOUR Championship, one boy and one girl from the First Tee – Metro Atlanta are invited to hit the HOPE Tee Shot, a unique tournament tradition that began in 2008. The young men and women selected to participate represent the hope that continues to build within the East Lake and Greater Metro Atlanta communities.

On Wednesday at East Lake Golf Club, 2021 HOPE Tee Shot honorees Tatum Thompson and Marcus Leonard were surprised with the news that they would be the first recipients of the HOPE Shot Scholarship as the most recent honorees.

“The creation of the HOPE Shot Scholarship is a proud moment in the history of this tournament as part of yet another record charitable donation back to our community,” TOUR Championship Executive Director Allison Fillmore said. “To make a lasting impact on individuals like Marcus, Tatum, and each future HOPE Tee Shot honoree is what it’s all about. The dollars will serve their purpose, but our hope is they recognize that our support doesn’t end with their memorable moment on the first tee.

“We are incredibly grateful to our Proud Partners Coca-Cola and Southern Company for sharing in our vision to instill positive change throughout the local community through initiatives like the HOPE Shot Scholarship.”

The TOUR Championship, with the support of Proud Partners Coca-Cola and Southern Company, has raised more than $42 million for local nonprofits since the event was first staged at East Lake Golf Club in 1998, including its five charitable beneficiaries: East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta and First Tee – Metro Atlanta.

The East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta have been at the forefront of changing community conditions in Atlanta to improve health and wellness outcomes and promote equitable opportunities for economically disadvantaged residents with the belief that transforming distressed neighborhoods into healthy and thriving ones is the key to ending the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

“The East Lake Foundation and our Atlanta Purpose Built Communities partner organizations are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership and record-breaking financial support from the TOUR Championship, its Proud Partners and other sponsors,” East Lake Foundation Deputy Executive Director Catherine Woodling said. “This generous contribution will allow our organizations to continue to focus on providing equitable opportunities, tools, and resources that empower residents to thrive.”

The TOUR Championship’s donation also benefits First Tee – Metro Atlanta, an international youth development organization designed to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. First Tee – Metro Atlanta serves more than 145,000 participants across eight Metro Atlanta counties.

“This scholarship program has been made possible as a result of the TOUR Championship’s leadership and commitment to making the world better beyond the golf course, and we at First Tee – Metro Atlanta are deeply grateful to the tournament and its partners at Coca-Cola and Southern Company for their support,” First Tee – Metro Atlanta Executive Director Marvin Hightower said. “Our youth development program depends on the support provided by our community. Without the help of generous partners like the TOUR Championship, we would be unable to deliver the impact and mentorship youth need to help them become the best they can be.

“We look forward to witnessing the lasting impact this scholarship will have on the young people and the communities we serve.”

In addition to the 2021 tournament’s $3.7 million charitable total, the event raised $1.385 million through the TOUR Championship Charity Challenge – a 9-hole exhibition staged on the eve of the 2021 TOUR Championship – that featured former Atlanta Falcons standout Warrick Dunn; LPGA Tour professional and Atlanta native Mariah Stackhouse; former Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones; and 2021 Payne Stewart Award recipient and 2018 FedExCup champion Justin Rose. The match, which was broadcasted live on GOLF Channel, was supported through the efforts of Coca-Cola, Southern Company along with several Atlanta-based corporations.

The 2022 TOUR Championship will welcome the PGA TOUR’s top 30 players back to Atlanta from August 23-28 as they chase the FedExCup title in the finale of the FedExCup Playoffs.

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