The Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children hit a new milestone at the tournament this year. Since becoming the tournament’s title sponsor in 2002, Valero has been aiming to raise $100 million for charities.

This year, a record $10.4 million was raised, the highest amount ever raised in the Valero Texas Open’s history. This helped Valero to surpass its “Drive to $100 Million” goal by raising a cumulative total of $100.9 million.

The Valero Texas Open has been played in San Antonio since 1922, making this the 93rd annual tournament. A total of $104.9 million has been raised since then, but a majority of that money has been raised since just 2002, when Valero became the title sponsor. The tournament has also become the annual leader in charitable fundraising among PGA TOUR events.

Funds are raised through sponsorships of the tournament and its events, such as the sporting clays tournament, the Birdies for Charity program and the Benefit for Children, where around 2,500 golfers play at 11 courses around San Antonio the day after the Valero Texas Open.

Children’s charities in areas around the country where Valero has significant operations will receive funds. Employee committees at each location help to nominate deserving charities, who receive their share of funding in the fall.
Although Jimmy Walker was the champion of the tournament this year, the true winners are the children.

“We really couldn’t have accomplished this without the generous support of all of our sponsors, as well as our employees, volunteers and golf fans here in San Antonio,” said Valero Executive Vice President Lane Riggs, who is the company’s executive for the Valero Texas Open this year. “And of course, the Greg Norman Production Company and the people here at TPC San Antonio have been truly remarkable.”