Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has agreed to play in the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, Tournament Executive Director Jerald Andrews announced Thursday.
A major fundraiser for nearly 50 Ozarks children’s charities, the tournament’s events are scheduled for July 17-27, with pros playing July 23-26 at Highland Springs Country Club. The PCCC is planning to accommodate fans following the Tour’s recent decision to resume its schedule, with an emphasis on following advice of national and local health officials.
Romo is receiving one of four sponsor’s exemptions as he chases his dream of playing on the PGA Tour. Certainly, he would be the most recognized name in the PCCC’s 31-year history. He quarterbacked the National Football League’s Cowboys from 2004 to 2016, guiding Dallas to four playoff berths and himself earning four Pro Bowl selections. He has since worked as a TV analyst on NFL broadcasts and recently signed a record multi-million dollar, 10-year deal with CBS.
“Playing in a Korn Ferry Tour event is a huge honor, especially when you think of all the talent here that’ll be on the PGA Tour soon,” Romo said. “These guys are pros, so it will be a challenge – challenge that I want to try again. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper for giving me this shot. I can’t wait for July in Springfield.”
Romo, 41, competed in the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, making it through pre-qualifying but did not advance past the first stage. He also has missed the cut in four PGA Tour starts.
“We are delighted that Tony can make it to our tournament,” Andrews said. “He is likely to draw fans who have never attended our tournament, so he’ll have quite the following. We hope fans understand that his focus is on golf and trying to make Friday’s cut.”
The announcement comes days after the Korn Ferry Tour unveiled plans to resume its schedule the week of June 8. At this time, the Tour’s first four events will not be open to the general public. The PCCC is the sixth event on the modified schedule, and the Korn Ferry Tour indicates it is planning for the tournament to accommodate fans.
However, Andrews and Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin emphasized that the Tour and PCCC will be monitoring guidelines of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department as well as the City of Springfield and Greene County.
“As we look toward a return to golf, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Korn Ferry Tour and our communities will remain our No. 1 priority,” Baldwin said.
With that in mind, Andrews noted the numerous ways that businesses and individuals can rally around the PCCC’s charities:
-VOLUNTEERS: The PCCC is seeking to build its 1,000-person volunteer army. Volunteer Co-Chairs are Sharon Alexander and Gary Hopkins. Please sign up at pricecuttercc.org.
-CORPORATE SKYBOXES ON 9TH & 18TH GREENS, TENTS ON 18TH FAIRWAY: These include covered seating and all-inclusive badges into the Jackson Brothers of the South Ozarks Club Tent (food and beverages).
-PRO-AMS & GOLF EXPERIENCES: The PCCC offers a dozen golf experiences, including nine pro-ams, to be played at area courses such as Highland Springs, Top of the Rock, Buffalo Ridge, LedgeStone, Millwood, Fremont Hills & Silo Ridge. Each event includes the opportunity to play with a pro, plus a great golfer gift package, continental breakfast, lunch, on-course beverages, team photos, trophies & PCCC tournament ticket packages.
-ON-COURSE SPONSORSHIPS: Show off your company banner in high-traffic areas or on bleachers, water coolers and so forth to help generate interest in your business, plus help kids in the Ozarks.
-HONORING OUR HEROES PROGRAM PRESENTED BY NROUTE ENTERPRISES: What a way to support kids, as your sponsorship also will allow retired and current military, law enforcement and first responders – and their families – to be admitted free of charge, with seating in the Heroes tent on the 18th green. The families also receive a pass to the Jackson Brothers of the South Ozarks Club food & beverage tent.
-$25 TLC PROPERTIES CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES – WIN A 2020 TOYOTA TUNDRA OR $10,000: Tickets are $25 each, with the ticket-buyer given a 1-in-8,000 chance to win a 2020 Toyota Tundra Access Cab, or $10,000. You also could win one of 125 daily prizes during the PCCC. The ticket also is good for a four-day grounds pass.
-GOLF BALL & CHARITY AUCTION: It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 at University Plaza Convention Center.
-THE ULTIMATE PRESENTED BY RIDEWELL SUSPENSIONS & CUSTOM METALCRAFT IN MEMORY OF DWAYNE HOLDEN: Win a 2020 Corvette Stingray, as a $1,200 sponsorship offers a 1-in-100 chance of winning the car and a 1-in-10 chance of winning $1,000 prizes. You’ll also receive many other perks, including air-conditioned seating on the 18th green along with clubhouse parking. Holden, who passed away in December, was a big supporter of the PCCC.
-NAMI NEON NIGHT RUN: The PCCC’s annual run is taking on a new look this year, with the NAMI Neon Night Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. It will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Missouri.
-HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SGC Foodservice It is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, September 20 under the stars on the Highland Springs driving range. Chefs from across the area converge to deliver delicious foods for an event that also includes adult beverages as well as silent & live auctions.
-PLATINUM CLUBS & CLAYS CLASSIC PRESENTED BY USA MORTGAGE: It’s set for Oct. 7, with morning and afternoon rounds at both Top of the Rock and Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy south of Branson.
-ROCKIN’ ROLL BIKE & MUSIC FESTIVAL: Music Therapy of the Ozarks is putting on its third annual event, set for Saturday, Oct. 10 at The Riff. It includes bike rides of 40, 20 and 10 miles, dinner as well as an evening concert.
