MADISON, Miss. – Viking Classic, Mississippi’s premiere professional sporting event, and Century Club Charities, Inc. are pleased to announce the signing of a charity – the Friends of Children’s Hospital (FOCH).  FOCH is a non-profit organization created to benefit the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.  Batson is Mississippi’s only hospital built specifically for the care and emergency treatment of children. FOCH ensures their patients have everything from stuffed animals to state-of-the-art medical equipment.  All tournament proceeds from this year’s event will go to benefit this organization. 

“Friends of Children’s Hospital is a non-profit organization committed to helping all the children of Mississippi who are treated at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, MS.  We are incredibly grateful to the Viking Classic for helping us reach our fundraising goal,” said Suzan Thames, Chairman of the Board for Friends of Children’s Hospital.  “I know the Viking Classic, Century Club Charities and the Viking Range Corporation are dedicated to giving back to the state of Mississippi, and what better way to do that than to help the only children’s hospital in the state further their research and programs.”

As the charity partner of the Viking Classic, the FOCH will also provide additional services to the Viking Classic during the tournament week such as fundraising, volunteers and enhanced security efforts.

“The Board of Directors, the members of Century Club Charities, the tournament staff and all of our sponsors including  Viking Range, Entergy, CN, MS Development Authority and BankPlus, are proud to form this new partnership,” said Randy Watkins, Viking Classic Tournament Director.  “In keeping with the efforts of all PGA TOUR events, we are committed to hosting a professional golf tournament, showcasing all that is great about Mississippi and making a difference in the lives of others.  With this in mind, we are thankful to be involved with such a talented group of medical professionals.  It is our sincere desire to help children in Mississippi receive the care they deserve.  This partnership along with Birdies For Charity will help us reach our fundraising goals.”

The Viking Classic will be held September 15-21, 2008, with tournament play being September 18-21.  To learn more about the tournament, purchase tickets, volunteer or donate, please call 866.898.GOLF.

Friends of Children’s Hospital is a nonprofit organization created to benefit the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It was created by a group of dedicated members from around the state whose purpose is to support and promote the Batson Hospital for Children, Mississippi’s only hospital designed and equipped specifically for the care and treatment of sick and injured children. For more information, visit www.foch.org.

MADISON, Miss. (April 4, 2008) – Viking Classic, Mississippi’s premiere sporting event, and Century Club Charities, Inc. are pleased to announce that the 2007 “Birdies for Charity” program raised $444,540 for the 80 participating Mississippi charities. This is a 20% increase from 2006. 1,498 birdies were made during the course of the Viking Classic, September 24 -30, 2007 at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi.

New Delta Preparatory School in Greenwood, Mississippi was the highest fund raising organization. New Delta’s assistant principal, Lucy McCarty, and students, Bailey Swinford and D’Andrill Smith were presented a check for $26,499 at a luncheon hosted by the Viking Classic and Annandale Golf Club on March 12. Katherine Turcotte won the Guess the Birdies contest and received a Viking Outdoor Grill, and a "Delta Experience" package that includes a one night stay at the Alluvian, spa treatment for two, and dinner for two at Giardina's.

The benefiting charities are those who participated in the Birdies for Charity program, the fundraising arm of the Viking Classic. Implemented in 2001, the BFC program has enlisted more than 350 charities and is available for any 501(c)3 organization, church or school in Mississippi. The primary goal of the BFC program is to successfully solicit and collect pledges of at least two cents per birdie based on the number of birdies made at the Viking Classic or a donation of $25 or more. Each charity receives 100% of collected pledges and donations.

The 2008 Birdies for Charity program is ready to kick off. The dates for the 2008 Viking Classic are September 15-21 at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, MS. For more information about the Birdies For Charity program, please contact Doug Garner at 866.898.GOLF.

View more information on the Birdies For Charity program »

Madison, Miss. (September 30, 2007) – PGA TOUR veteran Chad Campbell carded a final-round 69 on Sunday and captured the title at the Viking Classic by one shot over rookie Johnson Wagner. Campbell took home the winner’s purse of $630,000 and a full Viking indoor and outdoor kitchen.

With this win, the Texas native ended the weekend ranked 43rd on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list after beginning the week ranked 82nd.

The 2007 Viking Classic will be held September 24th – 30th. One of only 44 PGA TOUR tournaments held each year, the Viking Classic has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968 and an official event since 1994. Past champions of the tournament include Craig Stadler, Payne Stewart, and Fred Funk.

Campbell’s four-round total of 275 ties D.J. Trahan (2006) for the highest-winning score in Viking Classic history.

Campbell becomes the first player in the last 10 years to win the Viking Classic after not playing in the final group on Sunday.

PGA TOUR rookie Johnson Wagner found himself in contention on Sunday before a late bogey at the par-4 17th derailed his chances at the title. The runner-up finish is the best of Wagner’s TOUR career and virtually assures him of keeping his card for the 2008 season.

Wagner, a former Virginia Tech star, missed 12 of 13 cuts in a row after the horrific tragedy that struck the VT campus in April. Prior to that, Wagner had made eight of his first 11 cuts on the season.

Campbell came from three shots back at the start of the final round to win the Viking Classic.

GREENWOOD, Miss. (August 6, 2007) – Viking Range Corporation, manufacturer of ultra-premium appliances for the home, has signed an agreement with the PGA TOUR to become the title sponsor of the Viking Classic which will be held at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi. This four year sponsorship agreement ensures this PGA TOUR tournament will remain in Mississippi and will serve as the state's largest professional sporting event.

"We are extremely pleased to sponsor such a first class tournament in our own backyard," said Dale Persons, Viking vice president – corporate development. "Viking has always strived to be a loyal corporate citizen of Mississippi, and when we looked at the economic impact on the state as well as the charities which benefit from the tournament, we realized what a win-win-win opportunity this was for Mississippi, the charities involved and Viking. We feel that this sponsorship is a unique way for us to promote our great state to the world."

The 2007 Viking Classic will be held September 24th – 30th. One of only 44 PGA TOUR tournaments held each year, the Viking Classic has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968 and an official event since 1994. Past champions of the tournament include Craig Stadler, Payne Stewart, and Fred Funk.

Viking Range Corporation is a culinary lifestyle company that originated ultra-premium commercial-type appliances for the indoor and outdoor kitchen. Viking is headquartered in Greenwood, Mississippi. Viking major appliances are sold through a network of premium appliance distributors and dealers worldwide, and Viking culinary products are sold through a network of premium gourmet retailers.

To request product information, please contact Viking toll-free at 888.845.4641, or visit the web site at vikingrange.com.

VIKING is a registered trademark of Viking Range Corporation.

(Madison, MS)- The Southern Farm Bureau Classic and Century Club Charities, Inc. are pleased to announce its charity donations of $360,118.90 for 2006. All 91 participating charities were invited to attend a charity announcement/check distribution luncheon on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 11:30 am at Annandale Golf Club.

This year’s donation brings Century Club Charities’ 20-year charity total to more than $4.2 million. Century Club Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization with proceeds raised from each year’s tournament activities benefiting Mississippi charities.

"On behalf of the entire Southern Farm Bureau family, we are proud to do our part in raising significant money and awareness to many worthwhile charities across Mississippi. It has been our great pleasure to support the Birdies For Charity program as it continues to provide charities an easy and fun way to raise money. As title sponsor of our state’s premier sporting event, our primary goals have been to provide great charity fundraising, family fun, and championship golf. We thank all of the Mississippi charities who have worked tirelessly to help us in this endeavor,” said Rod Moore, CEO and Executive VP of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company.

“The Southern Farm Bureau Insurance Companies were proud once again to have been the title sponsor of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic. We are also proud to see not only the tournament grow, but the number charities and the amount of money raised grow to such significant amounts. The Birdies For Charity program has been an excellent vehicle for hundreds of charitable organizations to raise much needed funds. We are appreciative to Century Club Charities for allowing us to sponsor the event, thankful to the thousands of volunteers who have worked so hard, and grateful to the PGA TOUR for providing all Mississippians a close up view of such exciting and fun entertainment,” said Joey Stroble, CEO and Executive VP of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

The benefiting charities are those who participated in the Birdies For Charity program, the fundraising arm of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic. Implemented in 2001, the BFC program has enlisted more than 350 charities and is available for any 501(c)3 organization, church, or school. The goal of BFC is to obtain pledges of two cents or more for every birdie made during the Viking Classic (formerly known as the Southern Farm Bureau Classic).

“We are delighted to offer our Birdies for Charity program as a proven vehicle to create plus dollars for various charities. It has been proven it is totally a win-win relationship…you receive 100% of the dollars you generate with pledges through Birdies. We are launching our 2007 program with the dedication of the entire Century Club Charities organization to a bigger and better program,” said Robert Morgan, Executive Director of the Viking Classic.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and all members of Century Club Charities, we are proud to help so many charities all across Mississippi. It is our sincere hope to continue to play a big part in the lives of so many Mississippians. Many thanks to all the volunteers who make it all possible and to the Southern Farm Bureau Insurance Companies for sponsoring the largest professional sporting event in Mississippi,” said Bill Latham, President of Century Club Charities.

The Viking Classic and Century Club Charities are excited to announce plans to increase monies to the charities. There will be a new Bonus Bucks program where each charity is eligible to receive additional funds. Our new title sponsor, Viking Range, will provide our Grand Prize for this year: a Viking Outdoor Grill and a Delta Experience package including a one-night stay at the Alluvian Hotel, dinner for two at Giardina’s, and an Alluvian spa package. Sign up for participation in the 2007 Birdies For Charity program is now taking place. Individual meetings will be held with each charity to explain our program in detail. Please contact Doug Garner at 601-898-GOLF for further information or to schedule a meeting.

The 2007 Viking Classic tournament dates are September 24-30 at Annandale Golf Club. Please call 866.898.GOLF for sponsorship, ticket, or volunteer information.