Golf and Giving at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer
Galloway, NJ (June 14, 2022) – Winners at this year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer include America’s Grow-a-Row, the New Jersey farm and hunger-fighting organization that received a $20,000 donation from The Coca-Cola Company at the tournament on Sunday.
Coca-Cola, a leading sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, made the $20,000 donation based on the number of Eagles golfers shot during the three-day weekend tournament at the Bay Course at Seaview in Galloway, NJ. Eagle, as defined in golf, is a score of two strokes under par on a hole. A representative from Pittstown-based Grow-a-Row accepted the check Sunday accompanied by the 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic Champion Brooke Henderson.
A total of 25 eagles were recorded during the three days of competition at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, highlighted by Henderson making an eagle on the first playoff hole to win her 11th LPGA Tour event. The 144-player field competed over three rounds for a $1.75 million purse, and the event itself generated an additional $1.5 million benefitting dozens of charitable organizations in the community that help people in need.
Grow-a-Row annually provides 2.5 million pounds of free fresh fruits and vegetables to food banks and people experiencing food insecurity, with the help of more than 9,000 volunteers who harvest, rescue and deliver the produce. For each Eagle made by golfers during the weekend tournament, Coca-Cola pledged $800 to the farm, with a grand total of $20,000 going to Grow-a-Row.
“Congratulations to the 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic Champion Brooke Henderson and to everyone who helped make this tournament a successful event for golf and the larger community,” said Mike Cassara, Senior VP of North Zone Customer Leadership & Retail for Coca-Cola North America. “We are proud to support America’s Grow-a-Row and hope this contribution helps the organization in their fight against food insecurity within the local community.”
“We are thankful to Coca-Cola and ShopRite for their support for our organization. This money will help us expand our reach, grow more food and help feed more people,” said Chip Paillex, president of America’s Grow-a-Row. “We are honored to be here today to celebrate all the champions on and off the course who are working to fight hunger in our communities.”
On Friday representatives from dozens of charitable and community organizations received grants totaling $1.5 million during a special luncheon at the LPGA. The ShopRite LPGA Classic is supported by more than 450 companies and money raised through the LPGA is distributed by ShopRite Partners In Caring and Wakefern Food Corp. to nonprofit organizations at the annual luncheon.
“The support and charitable contributions from ShopRite, Wakefern and participating sponsors like Coca-Cola on Tour are so important and such a key part of what makes this event special,” said Tournament Director Bill Hansen.
Sunday’s final tournament was broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and streamed live on Paramount+, marking the first time in tournament history the ShopRite LPGA Classic aired on network television.
