The 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic, featuring the first PGA TOUR victory of Brian Gay’s career, has donated $175,000 USD to various local, national and international charities.

In its first two years, the Mayakoba Golf Classic has donated more than $300,000 USD in an effort to give back to the community through various philanthropic groups and to promote the game of golf within the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions.

“One of the Mayakoba Golf Classic’s goals is to assist the community through certain organizations that are in place and to help create new opportunities for the people of this region,” said Tournament Director Larson Segerdahl. “Thanks to our corporate partners and the tireless efforts of our Ambassadors, we are able to contribute each year.”

Among the groups supported by México’s Only PGA TOUR Event are the City of Joy Foundation, the Rotary Clubs of Playa del Carmen and Cancún, Red Cross of Playa del Carmen, DIF Solidaridad, American Junior Golf Association, Lorena Ochoa Foundation and Golf PARa Todos.

“OHL and the Mayakoba Resort are proud to be a part of this effort to help raise significant funds for a variety of charities,” said Juan Aguilar Jimenez, General Director of Mayakoba. “This is Mexico’s Only PGA TOUR Event and we look forward to the opportunity to do more for the area as we look to the future.”

For more information on how your charitable organization can partner with the Mayakoba Golf Classic, contact Tournament Manager Joe Mazzeo at joe.mazzeo@gwse.com.

Once again the exciting community golf program of the Mayakoba Golf Classic is here..Golf PARa Todos!

We invite you to bring your family and friends to share a day of golf and enjoy a beautiful day at the El Camaleón Golf Club on Sunday, July 13, from 2 pm to 4 pm. There will be golf lessons, raffles, games, complimentary food and much more.

Golf PARa Todos aims to create a fun-filled, diverse and educational program that teaches about the game of golf and its ideals. The program encourages active participation in the game as a participant and as a fan, and facilitates the integration of golf into the lives of all those within the community. Golf PARa Todos is a community program presented by the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

The inaugural installment of Golf PARa Todos was held in October 2007 at El Camaleón Golf Club in Playa del Carmen. A monthly program, Golf PARa Todos is open to people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of golf skill or knowledge.

Visit www.golfparatodos.org for more information. See you on Sunday!

As the American Junior Golf Association and some of the world’s best young golfers prepare to return to Mayakoba for the second-annual Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic, many preparations are underway. But one thing is still missing…you!

Like at any major golf tournament, the participation of volunteers in an AJGA event is essential. The AJGA and the local organizing committee are currently seeking individuals interested in participating as Ambassadors. Being an Ambassador is a fun and easy way to support the growth of golf in the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions.

The Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic is scheduled for August 19-22 at El Camaleón Golf Club. 78 junior golfers, ages 12-18, will attempt to walk in the footsteps of Fred Funk and Brian Gay and hoist the chameleon trophy as champions.

If you are already a Mayakoba Ambassador and are able to participate in the AJGA event, act now and confirm your participation. If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, this is a great opportunity to get involved.

For more information and to sign up, please contact Julio Velázquez at direccion.general@diatec.com.mx.

Congratulations to Victor Plata of Saltillo, Coahuila, México, who won the drawing for completing the Mayakoba Golf Classic’s online survey. Victor has won a two-night stay at the Fairmont Mayakoba and two (2) complimentary rounds of golf at El Camaleón Golf Club, home of the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Thank you to Victor and all those who took part in the online survey. Your feedback and input will help the tournament staff as they work to continue improving the Mayakoba Golf Classic!

Stay tuned for more contests presented by the Mayakoba Golf Classic in future issues of News & Notes from the MGC.