Sports - Greenville, South Carolina, United States
South Carolina Charities, Inc. (SCCI), the non-profit foundation of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation, was created in order to showcase the beauty of Upstate South Carolina and the hospitality of its citizens to the world; to create an event that brings the Upstate a fun and entertaining week centered around professional athletes and world renowned celebrities; and raise money and awareness for South Carolina charities. Since 2001, the tournament has distributed $13.7 million to charities in the Upstate, part of the PGA TOUR's $3 billion raised for charity.The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation is the only tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Korn Ferry Tour professionals in a three-day better-ball competition over two courses. Amateurs, celebrities and professionals rotate between the two courses, Thornblade Club, and the The Cliffs communities on Thursday and Friday with the 12 lowest scoring amateur teams, four lowest scoring celebrity teams advancing to play Saturday's final round at Thornblade Club. The lowest 65 pros (and ties) will play on Saturday and Sunday at Thornblade Club.The tournament draws an estimated 40,000 spectators, 20 percent of whom travel from out of town. This influx of guests equals over 3,500 room nights for Greenville-area hotels.The most recent economic impact study by Clemson University's International Institute of Tourism Research and Development estimated that the tournament annually generates direct spending of $4.712 million, supports 139 jobs, generates net local government revenues of $541,048, net state government revenues of $868,479, and yields $6.744 million in total output/impact.