'Ryder Cup Captains' Charity Golf Shot' a big hit

You can rest assured that Ryder Cup captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal have never faced a shot like the ones they attempted Monday from the Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago's 16th-floor terrace.

MEDINAH, Ill. -- The PGA of America is pleased to announce the results of Monday's thrilling "Ryder Cup Captains' Charity Golf Shot" event held in downtown Chicago with 2012 Ryder Cup Team Captains Davis Love III and José María Olazábal.

The captains took part in this one-of-a-kind event for a good cause -- and for some unique bragging rights -- during a jam-packed day of activities celebrating the year-out mark of the 2012 Ryder Cup, which will be played Sept. 25-30, 2012, at storied Medinah (Ill.) Country Club near Chicago.

"When the fire marshal asked if we could hit the green below and not the concrete, that's when I started getting nervous before the shot," said Team USA captain Love III. "What an incredible way to continue the countdown to the 2012 Ryder Cup and celebrate with the great city of Chicago."

Positioned high above Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue, Love III and Olazábal each attempted three 220-yard shots from the 16th-Floor Terrace of the Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago onto a golf green custom-built on a 35' x 75' barge floating in the middle of the Chicago River just east of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The City of Chicago raised the bascule-style bridge during the event, allowing the Captains a clear line of sight to the green.

Amid windy Chicago conditions, each Captain found success hitting the green with one of their spectacular shots, to the delight of the crowd surrounding the tee box and fans gathered on the banks of the Chicago River.

"Today has been a whirlwind for me," said European Captain José María Olazábal. "I've never hit a golf ball from the top of a building, and I've never thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. Heck, I've never thrown a baseball." 

To celebrate this exciting stunt, The PGA of America in conjunction with the Ryder Cup Magnificent Moments fundraising campaign donated $100,000 to benefit the Illinois PGA Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. As a special incentive for the captains, The PGA of America pledged to double the donation if a hole-in-one was made.

"Chicago has truly embraced the 2012 Ryder Cup, and we are so excited to have the enthusiastic support of golf fans throughout the city," said Ryder Cup Director Michael Belot. "The 'Ryder Cup Captains' Charity Golf Shot' event was a great way for us to continue building on that excitement and to support charitable organizations that do great work in the Chicagoland area."

Magnificent Moments™, the officially sanctioned, charitable fundraising campaign of the Ryder Cup, will bring attention to a year-long promotion in downtown Chicago, supporting two well-respected Chicago charities.

"We're thrilled to have such a unique and rare opportunity to be a part of the Ryder Cup in 2012.  The money raised on our behalf will help an incredible amount of families, who find themselves in often unexpected circumstances, receive the care and comfort that can only be found at a Ronald McDonald House®," said Doug Porter, CEO of RMHC-CNI.  "We're glad to partner with the Illinois PGA Foundation on this campaign that will help some many children and families as a result of the work of these two charities."

About the 2012 Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup, among the last great professional sporting events where winning, and not prize money, is its own reward, spans 37 competitions over 82 years. The competition was born in 1927, when enterprising English seed merchant Samuel Ryder commissioned the casting of a gold chalice that bears his name. The U.S. Team defeated Great Britain, 9½ to 2½, in the inaugural matches in Worcester, Mass.

Since then, the Ryder Cup has expanded to involve the finest players of Europe. Except for a span (1939-45) during World War II and following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks upon America, the Ryder Cup has been held biennially with the U.S. and Europe alternating as host.

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About the PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

About Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago

Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, located in the heart of the city at 401 N. Wabash Avenue, welcomed its first hotel guests in January 2008. The hotel, comprising floors 14-27 of a 92-story residential tower developed by the Trump Organization, features 339 luxuriously appointed guestrooms including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites; Sixteen, a fine dining restaurant featuring modern American cuisine; The Spa at Trump® with 53 specially appointed spa guest rooms; the Trump Health Club; Rebar, a chic cocktail lounge; The Terrace at Trump and more. Designed by the noted architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with interiors by McGinley Design, Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is a stunning addition to Chicago's distinguished skyline. Recently, the hotel was ranked #1 in Large Scale Hotels in the Continental U.S. and Canada and #20 in the World's Best Hotels Overall category by Travel + Leisure's 2010 "World's Best Awards." Click here to follow the hotel on Twitter. Click here to find the property on Facebook.