Suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has been chosen as the Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship for the third consecutive year, with every birdie made at the event resulting in a £10 donation, while an eagle will earn a £100 donation.
CALM will be the beneficiaries of the charitable activations across site at the prestigious event, with the BMW PGA Championship and DP World Tour showing its support for CALM’s life-saving work, and changing the conversation around mental health and suicide.
Former world no.1 and major champion Justin Rose has helped kick-start the fundraising efforts this year with money raised at auction for a Pro-Am team set to compete alongside the Englishman on Wednesday September 18 at the BMW PGA Championship.
“As a professional golfer, I’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact that sport can have on mental well-being and that’s why I am proud to support CALM,” said Rose. “Golf offers a unique space for reflection, focus, and community, all of which are vital for mental health.
“The fact that we have already been able to fundraise a considerable amount of money through the Pro-Am team at the BMW PGA Championship is fantastic and I am humbled to do my part in making it a memorable day out for those people coming along to Wentworth Club.”
The BMW PGA Championship has raised more than £150,000 in the past two years and will once again provide one of the highlights of the British sporting summer when it returns to Wentworth Club from September 19-22.
A world-class field will assemble at the Surrey venue with Rose set to tee it up alongside Rory McIlroy, defending champion Ryan Fox, Olympic Silver Medallist Tommy Fleetwood and a host of other European Ryder Cup stars.
Their birdies and eagles at the famous West Course will contribute to the cause, while fans will be able to chip in at various donation points across the site – including the Mega Putt Challenge and chipping challenge within the Spectator Village.
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “We are thrilled to have once again been chosen as the beneficiary for this year’s BMW PGA Championship. Our partnership with BMW and the DP World Tour over the past two years has been nothing short of life-saving and we are so grateful to have their support extended for a third year. With more people than ever needing CALM, it is a brilliant opportunity to be there for the golfing community, as well as raising vital funds for our life-saving services.”
David George, Chief Executive Officer at BMW Group UK said: “It fills me with great pride to once again be supporting the vital work of CALM at the 20th annual BMW PGA Championship. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Wentworth attendees across two tournaments, an exceptional figure has already been raised to back their life-saving services. I am hopeful for another record-breaking year, as we continue to stand by CALM and their mission to shine a light on suicide.”
Kit Gartrell, the Championship Director, added: “We are proud to welcome CALM for a third year as the Official Charity of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship. Golf, like all sports, offers significant mental health benefits, and at the DP World Tour, we’re deeply committed to promoting these advantages to young people. Having raised more than £150,000 over the past two years, we’re grateful to BMW for supporting this partnership, and we look forward to helping amplify CALM’s mission to bring the UK together in the fight against suicide.”