Minnesota PGA To Own And Operate Tapemark Charity Pro-Am Beginning In 2019

The Minnesota PGA, along with its charitable foundation PGA REACH Minnesota, announces it has an agreement in place to acquire the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am for 2019 and beyond.

The Tapemark Charity Pro-Am, founded in 1972 by Robert Klas Sr. and Pat Cody Sr., raises critical funds for non-profit agencies serving Minnesota children and adults living with developmental disabilities and their families. The Tapemark Charity Pro-Am consists of two golf tournaments featuring both men and women professional and amateur golfers. Since that first tournament in 1972, the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am has raised and donated more than $7,400,000 to the agencies it supports.

The list of Champions includes some of the most accomplished PGA Professionals from the region and includes Tom Lehman, who won the event just six years before his Open Championship victory in 1996.

“It has been an incredible honor to be involved with the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am,” said Robert Klas Jr., CEO of the Tapemark Companies. “I am so happy that the tournament will continue on into the future and will remain committed to the dual purpose of being one of the premier golf events in the Upper Midwest while raising the proceeds necessary to building strong and inclusive communities.”

The Minnesota PGA includes over 600 members from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Tapemark Charity Pro-Am will continue to be a Section Major Championship and attract the most skilled professionals in the region while also generating funds to positively impact the community.

“The Minnesota PGA takes the responsibility of continuing the tremendous success of this storied event well into the future,” said Jeffrey Hintz, CEO of the Minnesota PGA. “We are thrilled and honored to be able to take on a leadership role with this fantastic community asset. Yes, we will have an individual champion each year, but the real champion every year will be the community.”

Those interested in information about the 2019 event relating to partnerships and participation are encouraged to reach out to the Minnesota PGA at MinnesotaPGA.com or 763-754-0820.

Minnesota PGA

The mission of the Minnesota PGA is to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry.

The Minnesota PGA will accomplish this mission by enhancing the skills of its professionals and the opportunities for amateurs, employers, manufacturers, employees and the public.

In so doing, the Minnesota PGA will elevate the standards of the golf professional’s vocation, enhance the economic well-being of the individual member, stimulate interest in the game of golf, and promote the overall vitality of the game. The Minnesota PGA geographic region includes the entire states of Minnesota and North Dakota; South Dakota (less areas surrounding cities of Rapid City, Vermillion, and Yankton); and a portion of Western Wisconsin that includes St. Croix County and Superior, Wisconsin.

PGA REACH Minnesota

PGA REACH Minnesota is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Minnesota PGA Section. REACH is an acronym for Recreation, Education, Awareness, Community and Health. The mission of PGA REACH Minnesota is to enable access to the game of golf utilizing PGA Professionals to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations with an emphasis on inclusion.