Buick Open

Player wives pay visit to Whaley Children's Center

Thursday, July 30, 2009

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Marc Jacobson
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FLINT (WJRT) -- (07/29/09) -- Along with the action on the golf course, charitable giving has always been a big part of the Buick Open.

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Earlier today, many of the players' wives left Warwick Hills and paid a visit to the Whaley Children's Center in Flint.

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A song, some friendship and plenty of gratitude; The Whaley Children's Center extended those gifts while being honored as the PGA Tour's Charity of the Year.

"It's awesome. We are so excited and honored at this," Whaley Children's Center interim President Tricia Reinhard said.

With that honor comes a major donation to help Whaley Children's Center continue providing a safe haven for abused and neglected children.

"We received $30,000 to go toward our recreation program so it's going directly to the kids," Reinhard said.

On top of that, the PGA Tour Wives Association was on hand to add an additional check for $1,000. "Just learning about what's going on and why children are here at Whaley; it's eye opening," said Troy Matteson's wife Shauna.

"We love to go to a city where a tournament is and be able to get inside the community and give back. You all do so much for us in each city that it's the least we can do," Web Simpson's Fiancée, Dowd Keith, said.

The players' wives joined the kids in planting a Buick Open Tree, one they hope will have a symbolic effect. "I hope it has roots that will grow forever and stand here so that we can be remembered, and also as kind of a memento for the kids," Keith said.

The Buick Open has donated more than $10 million to various charities across Michigan since 1982. Even with all of the good will here today, there's no escaping talk that this could be the last Buick Open.

"I think it's a community-wide loss, and so I'm hoping that we can make that not happen," Reinhard said.

The visiting wives also helped decorate flower pots with the kids today. Those pots will be auctioned off at Whaley's Fundraising Gala in October.