PRESS RELEASE
Prince William Chamber of Commerce Endorses the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational as a Positive Event for the County
Prince William, Virginia – Rob Clapper, President and CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia’s largest chamber, today announced the Chamber’s endorsement of the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational, sponsored by Azalea Charities of Prince William. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Piedmont Club in Haymarket, Virginia, this event will bring top professional female golfers to Prince William, showcasing the community and potentially leading to a major LPGA-sanctioned event in the Washington, DC area. Currently the LPGA does not come to the DC area.
According to Clapper, endorsing the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational compliments the Chamber mission of promoting individual business growth, a robust economy and a high quality of life in Prince William.
“LPGA Tour events carry a significant economic impact for the locations in which they are held,” said Clapper. Along with tourism revenue coming into the region, Clapper says the tournament highlights the Prince William community as a place to bring business and jobs. “An event of this caliber further showcases the region as a great place to live, work and raise a family. That is the message we want businesses outside our area to see. That message translates to job creation down the road,” Clapper said of the impact.
The Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational is the result of many hours of planning by Co-Chairmen Scott Abell and Jim Luibl, as well as Azalea Charities’ Founder and CEO, Frank Lasch. Abell, former Executive Director of the Booz Allen Classic, feels this event has the potential to attract a sanctioned LPGA tournament to the area. He says, “Having the Chamber backing and support of its membership will go a long way towards convincing LPGA officials that Prince William is a viable locale for a major tournament, and that Azalea Charities is the organization to partner with.”
The Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational promises to be an exciting climax to the three-day annual Azalea Classic, which includes a Special Olympics/Boys & Girls Club Golf Day on May 1 and a Pro-Am Invitational on May 2. The Azalea Classic is now in its 12th year as the major fundraising event for Azalea Charities.
Azalea Charities uses the proceeds from the fundraiser to support a variety of local charities and its Aid for Wounded Warriors program. According to Lasch, “We’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $200,000. To do that, we needed to do something special. An event featuring prominent players from the LPGA Tour was the perfect answer.”
To learn more about the inaugural Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational, including sponsorship information and how to become involved, contact golf@azaleacharities.com or visit www.azaleacharities.org.
About Azalea Charities
Azalea Charities is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Prince William County, Virginia. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers who donate their time, talent and money. Azalea Charities raises funds for its community charities and Aid for Wounded Warriors through contributions and sponsorship of Team Azalea Charities in the Marine Corps Marathon and the Azalea Classic Pro-Am Invitational Golf Classic, the organization’s keystone event held each May at the Piedmont Club. Beyond minimal expenses, all the funds they raise go to their charitable core causes. Further information is available at www.azaleacharities.org.
About the Prince William Chamber of Commerce: The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is the newest and largest chamber of commerce in Northern Virginia, representing more than 1,850 businesses, professionals and organizations in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The Chamber seeks growth for its individual member businesses as well as a thriving economy and high quality of life for the Prince William area. For more information, visit www.pwchamber.org or call the Prince William Chamber at 703-368-6600.
Contact:
Scott L. Abell
Co-Chair, Azalea Classic
703-357-3003
scott_abell@comcast.net
Contact:
Andrea Whaley; Communications Manager
Prince William Chamber of Commerce
703-368-6600
awhaley@pwchamber.org,
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