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Annual Golf Tournament to Honor John Q. Hammons, Benefit Dozens of Charities

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews offers details of this year's tournament in

In less than two months, golfers from across the nation will converge on Springfield for the 24th Annual Price Cutter Charity Championship. The event is part of the 2013 Web.com Tour, in which athletes emerge to earn a spot on the PGA Tour. KSMU’s Scott Harvey attended Monday’s media day and filed this report.

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Beginning August 8, Highland Springs Country Club will play host to the 19th stop on this year’s tour, a three-day, 72-hole tournament that features an all-time high $121,500 prize for the winner. The theme of this year’s event is “Will and Skill, Dreams Fulfilled.”

The late John Q. Hammons, who passed away May 26, helped bring the Tour to Springfield more than two decades ago, and the foundation that bears his name has hosted the event since.

Before asking for a moment of silence Monday to honor the iconic hotel developer and philanthropist; Missouri Sports Hall of Fame President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews vowed to highlight his legacy later this summer.  

“With Mr. Hammons passing away we will dedicate this year’s tournament to the memory of John Q. Hammons, and we will honor him in several different ways through this year’s tournament, and for his founding of the club, and the tournament as well,” Andrews said.

This year, 48 charities representing many areas of needs related to children will receive support through the tournament, including the H.O.P.E. Foundation. The organization, which stands for Helping Overcome Pediatric Emergencies, serves 22 counties in southwest Missouri. Natalie Miller is a representative with H.O.P.E.

“Our goal is the bridge the gap between other local and national charities. Just a few examples of recent grant requests our foundation have been able to assist with include rent payments, mortgage payments, funeral expenses and car repairs,” Miller said.

According to Andrews, giving during last year’s Price Cutter Charity Championship surpassed $10 million for the tournament’s history, and it continues to be at the top of charitable events on the Web.com Tour, formerly known as the Nationwide Tour.

25 tournaments will comprise this year’s Web.com Tour, with 21 making up the regular season and four championship tournaments. A total of 50 PGA Tour cards will be awarded.

Find more information, including how to volunteer during the tournament and a list of activities leading up the August 8 event, visit pricecuttercc.org.