When professional golf returned to Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in September 2018, with the inaugural playing of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, fans were treated to world-class competition from the top PGA TOUR Champions players in the game. This was no surprise to a community that hosted one of the most popular stops on the PGA TOUR for 45 years.
However, what fans quickly learned about southeastern Michigan’s newest sporting event is that The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is about more than great golf.
The Ally Challenge offers something for everyone and provides a first-class experience for its spectators. The tournament features several attractions and events that have been designed to appeal to all fans. Whether you simply love being outdoors, enjoy the social scene at one of Genesee County’s largest sporting events, appreciate big-name musical acts or are a die-hard golf fan, you will have a variety of experiences throughout the golf course to choose from at The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren.
At its core, though, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren possesses a genuine, philanthropic vision. To that end, the tournament has established a legacy of giving in southeastern Michigan, including raising more than $800,000 for charity in its inaugural year. The Ally Challenge will continue to positively impact the community and beyond by designating net proceeds from the 2019 tournament to benefit Genesee County Habitat for Humanity and United Way of Genesee County.
A prime example of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren’s commitment to charity and providing a premium experience for its fans is illustrated in a new event at this year’s tournament named the Celebrity Shootout. The Celebrity Shootout is a nine-hole team exhibition match that featured golf’s greatest champion Jack Nicklaus, super-star recording artist and Michigan native Kid Rock, Community Concert headliner and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley, and Detroit Red Wings captain and Stanley Cup MVP Henrik Zetterberg.
The pairings for this marquee event – Nicklaus/Rock verses Bentley/Zetterberg competed for a $25,000 purse to benefit the tournament’s primary charitable partners, Genesee County Habitat for Humanity and United Way of Genesee County.
Furthermore, as an extension of the tournament’s mission to positively impact nonprofit organizations in the greater Flint area, the tournament offers an additional charitable program called Birdies for Charity presented by Ally. This fundraising program gives Michigan 501(c)(3) charities the opportunity to raise additional funds and benefit from the number of birdies made by PGA TOUR Champions players during competitive rounds of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren.
In its first year, the program welcomed participation from 16 qualified charities and raised $26,721.75 thanks to the 876 birdies recorded by PGA TOUR Champions players during competitive rounds at the inaugural The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. With 38 charities already on board for this year’s tournament, the Birdies program is poised to deliver considerably more impactful gifts in its second year, with estimates projecting more than $500,000 raised.
Ally Financial, the tournament’s title sponsor, shares a similar focus on giving back. At its center, Ally is deeply committed to giving back and serving its communities in meaningful ways. It has a long history in southeastern Michigan and has played a role in the revitalization of its hometown, Detroit, and is now thrilled to be extending those efforts and helping to drive positive economic impacts in the communities of Flint and Grand Blanc. Through The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, not only is Ally coming together with the PGA TOUR to host a storied sporting event with a worldwide fan base, it is also giving back to Michigan communities through financial literacy concerts, “Planet Zeee and the Money Tree” readings, and helping dozens of charitable organizations in Genesee County.
For more information about The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, please visit theallychallenge.com.