Perry to help Mining Families at Greenbrier Classic


Kenny Perry will play in next month's Greenbrier Classic, a new stop on the PGA Tour, and will be dedicating that week to the 29 families affected by the April mining disaster in West Virginia. The Kentucky native has pledged to donate $2,000 for every birdie he posts in the 72-hole tournament.

"Growing up in Kentucky as a neighbor to West Virginia, I feel a close connection to the area. Miners work so hard to provide for their families, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they do" said Perry. "I want to show that respect by dedicating my week at The Greenbrier Classic to the 29 men who lost their lives in April. The Greenbrier Classic will be a great event, and I'm hoping that others will join me to make it a special week for these families too."

In supporting Perry's gesture, Greenbrier Resort owner James Justice has pledged to match Perry's donation. "We are delighted to have Kenny Perry joining us for The Greenbrier Classic because family is the foundation for not only our community here in West Virginia, but also this resort, and he is exemplifying that through his concern for these families and his generosity," said Justice. "The Greenbrier Classic will work to create ways for everyone to join in this cause, including fans, during the week of the tournament."

Funds raised through the Greenbrier Classic will be donated to the families through the West Virginia Council of Churches. "Kenny Perry's pledge doesn't come as a surprise because he has a long history of giving back and supporting worthy causes," said Rick George, PGA Tour chief of operations.

"We applaud Kenny and Jim Justice for using the week of The Greenbrier Classic as a way to support the families affected by the April mining disaster. It is a wonderful example of what can happen when members of the PGA Tour family work together for a common purpose."

The tournament will be held July 26-August 1 on Greenbrier's Old White Course, one of the resort's three 18-hole layouts. The event will feature a field of 156 players competing for a $6 million purse.

The par-70 Old White, measuring over 7,000 yards, was originally designed by Charles Blair MacDonald and opened in 1914. It was recently restored to its original design by golf architect Lester George. Over the years, such greats as Sam Snead, Tom Watson, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino have played here. Snead, the winningest player in PGA Tour history, was the resort's pro for 29 years and served as Golf Professional Emeritus from 1993 until his death in 2002. Watson became The Greenbrier's second Golf Professional Emeritus in 2005.