Caledon, Ont. – The Fortinet Cup Championship, an annual PGA TOUR Americas event taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, has selected First Tee – Canada as its Official Charitable Partner for 2024.
Part of a tradition that has seen PGA TOUR Americas events at TPC Toronto donate more than $300,000 to local charities since 2018, this year’s event will see proceeds go towards the Golf Canada Foundation, with First Tee – Canada programming as the charitable beneficiary.
The Fortinet Cup Championship event week will also begin with a special First Tee – Canada Pro-Am Monday, September 8.
First Tee – Canada is a youth development program providing children with life-enhancing golf experiences, offering accessible and inclusive programming at golf courses, schools, and community centres, seeking to ensure that the sport of golf reflects the diversity of Canadians while promoting healthy choices through the game.
Operated by Golf Canada, the First Tee – Canada program has welcomed more than 100,000 youth participants since launching in 2020.
“First Tee – Canada plays such an important role in fostering the growth of golf in Canada, and we’re thrilled to partner with an organization that represents our shared values of promoting diversity and inclusion in the game,” said Tournament Director Brad Parkins. “We look forward to a successful partnership that will be additive to both the tournament and our community this season.”
“As the top cybersecurity vendor in Canada, Fortinet invests in community efforts and organizations that align with our corporate social responsibilities. We are glad to benefit First Tee – Canada this year, a local non-profit organization focusing on helping youth in their personal and athletic development,” said Marc Asturias, Vice President of Marketing and Government Vertical at Fortinet Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. “We’re continuing to drive innovation through our partnership with PGA TOUR Americas initiatives, which will ultimately benefit our customers, the local community, and non-profit organizations across Canada.”
TPC Toronto, which serves as the host organization for the Fortinet Cup Championship, has made a commitment to supporting the growth of golf through First Tee – Canada. In 2022, it announced alongside the Humeniuk family a $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to power the advancement of First Tee – Canada, and the facility also serves as host to programming for First Tee – Canada’s Caledon chapter throughout each season.
“We look forward to continuing the momentum we have built over the past several years with First Tee – Canada, striving to provide all children across Canada with access to First Tee and positive experiences through golf,” said Adam Hunter, Golf Canada’s Director, Grow the Game. “Our gratitude goes out to TPC Toronto and the Fortinet Cup Championship for this opportunity to strengthen our growing relationship and reinforce our shared commitment to growing the game in Canada.”
The Fortinet Cup Championship is the 16th and final event on the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, where 10 future PGA TOUR stars will earn promotions to the Korn Ferry Tour. The event will be played on TPC Toronto’s newly renovated North course from September 2-8.