Galleri Classic Supports local cancer-related charities

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Galleri Classic on the PGA Tour Champions gives 79 legends of golf and four amateurs the opportunity to play for a $2.2 million purse. But the impact of the tournament goes beyond the athletes and into the Coachella Valley.

Organizers said part of the proceeds from The Galleri Classic will fund local and cancer-related non-profit organizations with a focus on underserved populations. Part of the donations will be funded through ticket sales.

When visitors purchase tickets, they also have the option to make a flat donation to any of The Galleri Classic's six charitable beneficiaries.

Tournament Director Michelle DeLancy said giving back to a welcoming community makes the tournament even more special.

"The community has been very supportive. The PGA Tour Champions professionals love coming out here," DeLancy said. "The players, the community very much embraces it and we love that we give back to the Coachella Valley and our six cancer-related charities."

The Pendleton House and the Desert Cancer Foundation are some of the charities the Galleri Classic will donate proceeds to. Their representatives said the support from the tournament is invaluable.

"There's only a few of us involves and for them to choose us, they've made an incredible impact on the Desert Cancer Foundation over the last two years," Executive Director Mark Scheibach said.

Both charities said they always do what they can to help locals battling cancer, and receiving additional funding from the tournament gives them the chance to impact even more lives.

"We basically raise local money and just give all the money back to local people who are fighting cancer," Pendleton House President Troy Kudlac said. "And so for every $1,000 we raise, we're helping another person. So, it really adds up fast."

"We believe that nobody should forgo cancer care because of their inability to pay," Scheibach said. "So, we help those underserved who have a cancer diagnosis and do not have the funds to pay for it. For every dollar raised we can provide $10 in care."

Organizers with The PGA Tour Champions said they try to support the communities they play in. With the classic named after the Galleri test, it was important they supported cancer-related charities.

With the test being the first step in a patients cancer journey, they also picked charities along that same path. Starting with care all the way to recovery with Shay's Warriors, Life After Cancer.

While the tournament's support the charities, they also give representatives the chance to play alongside golf legends during the Pro-Am Tournament. Scheibach and Kudlac participated and were excited to hit the course with the professionals.

"We had a great group of people and our pro was awesome," Scheibach said. "And it's just special to be inside the ropes and enjoying the sunny day that we had."

"This year, I was able to get my dad out, which is really special," Kudlac said. "It's super exciting to be out here, play and get to hang out with some pros."

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more about the charities The Galleri Classic supports.

Local cancer-related charities supported

• American Cancer Society (Palm Desert office)
• Desert Cancer Foundation
• Eisenhower Health
• Hanson House
• Pendleton Foundation
• Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer