Golf pros lining up for 2016 CVS Health Charity Classic
WOONSOCKET, R.I. - Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, PGA TOUR Champions professionals and co-hosts of the CVS Health Charity Classic, on Tuesday unveiled some of the pros playing in the 18th annual event. Set for June 26-28 at Rhode Island Country Club, the popular charitable tournament boasts a roster of top-tier PGA TOUR, LPGA and PGA TOUR Champions professionals.
"We're excited to once again host the CVS Health Charity Classic which supports hundreds of great charities throughout the region," said Eileen Howard Boone, Tournament Chairwoman, CVS Health Charity Classic. "Through the years, the tournament has driven more than $19 million dollars to local nonprofits to help fund the critical work they do to help children and families. We're proud that the Charity Classic continues to be a fan favorite and we encourage people of all ages to come enjoy the event which offers more than just great golf."
Tournament headliners include top-ranking PGA TOUR professionals Branden Grace, Tony Finau, Keegan Bradley, Jon Curran and Bryson DeChambeau.
Ranked 11th in the world, Grace is making his first appearance at the Charity Classic. In just nine starts so far this year, Grace has earned three top-10 and six top-25 finishes, including his first PGA TOUR title at last month's RBC Heritage.
Also new to the tournament this year are Finau and DeChambeau. Finau posted his first victory this year, taking home the trophy from the Puerto Rico Open. DeChambeau, who recently turned pro following the 2016 Masters, is only the 5th golfer in history to win both the NCAA Division I Championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year.
Northeast natives, Bradley and Curran, who are former high school teammates, return to Rhode Island Country Club to defend their 2015 tournament title. Bradley has three PGA TOUR wins, including the 2011 PGA Championship. He is one of only three golfers to win their major championship debut. Curran has posted three top-25 finishes this year and is currently ranked 90th in FedEx Cup standings.
Representing the LPGA is golfer Morgan Pressel, who is currently ranked 34th in the world. A perennial favorite, this marks Pressel's 8th appearance at the CVS Health Charity Classic. Finally, returning to the CVS Health Charity Classic field for the 18th consecutive year is 40-year TOUR veteran and NBC Sports analyst Peter Jacobsen. Jacobsen, Faxon and Andrade are the only golfers to have played in the tournament since it began in 1999.
The CVS Health Charity Classic has added a variety of events for golf and non-golf fans alike, including a public benefit concert. Here's a look at the events taking place this June:
Lady Antebellum Benefit Concert – Seven-time GRAMMY award-winning group Lady Antebellum headlines a public benefit concert on Tuesday, June 28, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence;
Rocky Point 5k – A healthy way to kick-off off the three-day tournament, the CVS Health Charity Classic is sponsoring the Rocky Point 5k on Saturday, June 25. People are encouraged to run or walk in this USA Track and Field sanctioned event that also supports great local charities;
Community Day – On Sunday, June 26, CVS Health will host a number of other activities including interactive health & wellness stations and food trucks.
"The CVS Health Charity Classic has always been about bringing great golf and great charities together," Boone said."Adding a series of fun events to the tournament enables us to raise even more money to support charities helping children and families across New England."