Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G
closes out 2020 event by highlighting contributions to local organizations
Donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest, NWA Food Bank
and Mercy Hospital Foundation highlight tournament’s charitable efforts in 2020
ROGERS, Ark.– The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G returned to Pinnacle Country Club August 24-30 for the 14thannual year, with Austin Ernst taking home the 2020 #NWAChampionship title. The tournament did not permit fans onsite in efforts to promote the health and safety of the community, and was postponed from its original dates in June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these changes, the #NWAChampionship and its partners contributed over $180,000 to local organizations including Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest, NWA Food Bank and Mercy Hospital Foundation.
“One of the core missions of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G is to give back to the community and this year is certainly no exception,” stated Donna Morris, Walmart Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “In partnership with Procter & Gamble, we are honored to make financial contributions to these deserving organizations in our community, working on the frontlines to serve the NW Arkansas region during this challenging year.”
To kick off #NWAChampionship Week, the tournament hosted a donation event at the NWA Food Bank on Monday, August 24. The event featured a $40,000 contribution from the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G as well as a donation of 39,000 pounds of protein from Tyson Foods.
On Thursday, August 27 the #NWAChampionship held a three-hole charity match in partnership with Walmart featuring LPGA professionals Maria Fassi, Gaby Lopez, Juli Inkster and Morgan Pressel. The #NWAMatch promoted the #PlayYellow initiative, a program founded by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The match raised $40,000 which was donated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest, the local affiliate of CMN Hospitals.
“Since the tournament’s inception, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G has donated over $4.7 million to charitable organizations in our community,” said Tournament Chairman, Jay Allen. “While the tournament looked and felt completely different this year without spectators and without some of our traditional special events, we remain 100 percent committed to our core mission of improving the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas."
Earlier this year, the #NWAChampionship and Procter & Gamble also held the Miles for Mercy Community Challenge. The virtual community event celebrated local healthcare workers while raising $17,000 for the Mercy Health Foundation.
Other organizations benefiting from the tournament in 2020 include:
- ALS Association of Arkansas
- Apple Seeds
- Boys and Girls Club of Benton County
- Donald W. Reynolds Boys and Girls Club
- Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County
- Brightwater Culinary School
- Children’s Advocacy Center
- LPGA Foundation
- NWA Children’s Shelter
- Rogers Early Risers Rotary Club
- The First Tee of NW Arkansas
The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship returns to Pinnacle Country Club June 14 – 20, 2021 to celebrate the event’s 15thanniversary. For more information, please visitwww.NWAChampionship.com.