SAN DIEGO, CA – (March 26, 2013) – As a way to raise money for charity, PGA TOUR players, spectators and – even media members – were strongly encouraged to wear their favorite college colors during “University Day” at the recent Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.   

Several media members took part in the “best dressed reporter” contest during the 3^rd round of the tournament, but when the dust settled and Farmers Insurance Open judges announced their decision, San Diego Union-Tribune golf writer and San Diego State University (SDSU) alum, Kirk Kenney, was declared the winner.

Kenney’s prize – a $1,000 check from the Farmers Insurance Open made payable to the SDSU college baseball program on behalf of Kenney. Kenney was joined by representatives of Farmers Insurance and the Century Club of San Diego on Tuesday at Tony Gwynn Field to present the check to field’s namesake, SDSU head coach and professional baseball Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn.

“We are pleased to present this check to the SDSU baseball program on behalf of Kirk Kenney,” said Mark Toohey, Senior Vice President of Farmers Insurance, sponsor of the Farmers Insurance Open. “Not only did Kirk proudly wear the scarlet, black and gold with dignity and class, he was an inspiration to other golf writers to wear their school colors – all in the name of charity.”

Said Peter Ripa, Farmers Insurance Open Tournament Director and Executive Director of the tournament’s charitable sponsor, the Century Club of San Diego, “Kirk is a great ambassador for SDSU and we appreciate his professionalism in writing about the game of golf and his personal efforts in helping to raise money for charity during the Farmers Insurance Open. Go Aztecs!”

Ripa said that 2013 Farmers Insurance Open, which was held in late January and won by Tiger Woods, generated nearly $2.5 million for local San Diego area charities.   

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer group of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders.  Farmers Group, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, manages the non-claims insurance operations of the Farmers Exchanges.  Farmers Group, Inc. is wholly owned by the Zurich Insurance Group. For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

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San Diego – (March 13, 2013)- Nine San Diego business professionals became members of the Century Club of San Diego, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and host of the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open. Since the organizations inception in 1961, the Century Club of San Diego has generated more than $26 million dollars for San Diego charities and non-profit organizations aimed at assisting at-risk youth. All net proceeds from the tournament go directly to local charity organizations.

The Farmers Insurance Open provides major economic impact and exposure for San Diego:

• Over $24 million in Economic Impact
• Over 30 million U.S. TV viewers with telecast reaching over 250 countries.
• $4 million in Torrey Pines mentions.
• $261,325 generated in Sales Tax revenue.

As host of the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open, the following new members are charged with promoting our PGA TOUR event and San Diego: (Full roster: www.farmersinsuranceopen.com/century-club/members/)

Eden Algie

Director CD, DLK Institutional Partners & DLK Investment Management

Dylan Anderson

Client Advocate, Willis Insurance Services of California

Gordon Cooke

Membership Director & Real Estate Agent, The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe

Matt Greene

President, 6 Degrees San Diego

Jerry Henberger

Executive Director, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego

Eric Logan

Chief Operating Officer, Cobra Puma Golf

Joseph Castagnola

Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch

Scott Marshall

 Vice President – Concessions & Retail, San Diego Padres     

Jeff Posner

General Manager/Partner, NextLevel Internet, Inc.                          

ABOUT THE CENTURY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO

Founded in 1961, the Century Club of San Diego is a 501 (c) (3), charitable volunteer organization that has generated more than $26 million for San Diego charities.  As host of the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open, the Century Club of San Diego is comprised of nearly 70 dedicated men and women who promote San Diego and our charities. For more information, please call (858) 886-GOLF or visit www.FarmersInsuranceOpen.com.

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San Diego – (March 12, 2013) Farmers Insurance and the Century Club of San Diego, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and host of the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open, will recognize all eight participating Birdies for Charity organizations on Monday, March 18 at the Hall of Champions (2121 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101) at the 2013 “Birdies Breakfast”.

2013 was the first year that the nationally recognized program was brought to the Farmers Insurance Open, and in its inaugural year at the tournament, generated nearly $420,000 for the participating youth organizations through pledges and donations along with a $125,000 bonus fund provided by Farmers Insurance and the Century Club of San Diego.

“Farmers is extremely proud to be a part of the San Diego Community,” said Chuck Browning, Farmers Insurance VP of Sponsorship and Corporate Giving. “We’re honored to be a part of a tremendous golf tournament like the Farmers Insurance Open, but we’re even more excited to partner with the Century Club and make a huge difference for eight great charities.  We congratulate everyone involved on a job well done!”

The program began in September of 2012 and ran through the 2013 tournament. During this time the participating charities solicited pledges from individuals and corporations who support their organization. From there, the pledges were applied to every birdie made during the tournament. This year, PGA TOUR professionals made 1,560 birdies during the 2013 Farmers Insurance Open. The Birdies For Charity program is active in approximately 20 PGA TOUR communities in the U.S., all using PGA TOUR events as the platform. 

 “In its first year, the results exceeded our expectations. We are very pleased to have introduced such a successful fundraising vehicle to these important youth charities in our community,“ offered Century Club President, Jeff Baglio.  “We are equally as proud of the exposure we were able to these charities and their missions through our PGA TOUR event.”

The following participating charities will receive the proceeds from their pledges and donations, as well as their bonus fund proceeds this Monday: The Monarch School, The Preuss School UCSD, Pro Kids Golf / The First Tee San Diego, San Diego Armed Services YMCA, San Diego Center For Children, San Diego Junior Golf Association, San Diego Youth Services, and Voices For Children.

The 2013 Farmers Insurance Open was played January 21-28 at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Tiger Woods captured his first PGA TOUR victory of 2013, his 75^th PGA TOUR victory and eighth victory at Torrey Pines with a final score of (-14, 274). For more info visit: www.FarmersInsuranceOpen.com

ABOUT FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products.  Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be.  Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance

 ABOUT THE CENTURY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO

Founded in 1961, the Century Club of San Diego is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit volunteer organization that has generated more than $24 million for San Diego charities.  As host of the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open, the Century Club of San Diego is comprised of over 70 dedicated men and women who promote San Diego and our charities. For more information, please call (858) 886-GOLF or visit www.FarmersInsuranceOpen.com.

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