The PGA Tour announced this Tuesday, in a transparency exercise, the destination of the five million dollar charitable donation that accompanies the reinstatement of Brooks Koepka into the circuit through the Returning Member Program. It is not a minor detail in a decision already loaded with political nuances; the circuit wanted to clearly outline how this money is distributed and under what criteria.
According to the organisation, the recipients have been defined through a process jointly agreed upon between the circuit and Koepka himself. Initially, one million will go to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, the main charitable beneficiary of the player’s ‘home’ tournament, the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, which takes place this week. From there, Koepka has designated — and the Tour has approved — a second block of one and a half million to be distributed among various entities, including ALS Bridge Foundation, Baby Quest Foundation, Best Buddies, Hannah’s Home of South Florida, Pageant of Hope, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, Quantum House, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Thomas Healy Hambric Foundation – Beyond the Spectrum, and UnLIMBited Foundation.
The most unique section, due to how it shares the spotlight, is the remaining two and a half million, which will be equally divided among beneficiaries chosen by circuit member players, whether through their own foundations or causes they regularly support. In other words, the programme is not limited to Koepka’s list but opens a way for other circuit members to decide who receives a significant part of the impact.
The statement notes that it will provide an update when the selection and verification process of those organisations chosen by the players is completed and that the funds will be channelled through PGA Tour Charities, Inc. The gesture of explaining the “how” and the “to whom” remains interesting.
