ST. LOUIS (Jul. 25, 2023) – The second edition of the Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions will feature a first-class 36-hole stroke-play professional golf tournament August 9-10, 2023, at Glen Echo Country Club in North St. Louis County. The tournament’s new earlier date on the calendar, in advance of the PGA TOUR Champion’s Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson, will focus the spotlight on a field of high performing and diverse professional golfers striving to take the next step in their golf careers.
The official Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour event, together with Ascension, Daugherty Business Solutions—and in association with the Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson—will also serve to highlight inclusivity and diversity in the game.
“Last year’s event showcased the extremely high level of play the APGA Tour offers, and we’re thrilled to welcome these talented golfers back to St. Louis,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Ascension. "Bringing greater diversity to the game while helping these players reach their dreams in professional golf is one of the most important aspects of this tournament.”
General admission for the Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions is free to the public and will provide area golf fans an additional opportunity to enjoy tournament action in St. Louis. Complimentary parking will be available at St. Ann Catholic Church (7530 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121.)
In additional tournament news, the 2023 Ascension Classic will host the APGA Youth Clinic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions on Wednesday, August 9, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Glen Echo Country Club. The special clinic will include participants from local youth organizations engaged in an action packed 90-minute program featuring golf stations, interaction with APGA Tour professionals, a hosted dinner and more.
“At Daugherty, we believe that talent is equally distributed but access to the opportunity is not. That is why we are excited to support the APGA Tour here in St. Louis. The APGA opens up a world of opportunities to African American and minority golfers, and we are looking forward to introducing the young people who attend the APGA Youth Clinic to these motivating role models and providing local youth with the chance to learn more about golf,” said Ron Daugherty, President and CEO for Daugherty Business Solutions.
Established in 2010, the APGA Tour is a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf through professional tournaments, career development and mentoring sessions. The APGA Tour offers minority golfers the opportunity to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf, both on tour and in the golf industry.
Helping to remove the financial burden associated with golf is a top priority for the APGA. Support from Ascension and Daugherty will help ensure that players have access to the tools and support they need to better focus on their career path and development in the game.
The Ascension Classic will be the 10th tournament and last regular season event on the 2023 APGA Tour schedule, with the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship being played the following week at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia.
The APGA Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions offers a $30,000 purse. The inaugural winner of last year’s event was APGA Tour member Brad Adamonis.
The winner of the 2023 APGA Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions receives an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s 2023 World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas.
World Wide Technology (WWT) is also committed to the mission of bringing greater diversity to the sport of golf. The technology integrator, whose global headquarters is based in St. Louis, is the title sponsor of the APGA Tour’s Player Development Program and a founding partner of the Ascension Charity Classic. Additionally, WWT is the title sponsor of the World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA TOUR. WWT ambassadors include LPGA golfer Lauren Stephenson and TOUR professionals Ben Griffin, Harry Higgs, Keith Mitchell, Austin Eckroat and Billy Andrade.
Historic Glen Echo Country Club was completed in 1901 and was the first 18-hole golf course in St. Louis and the first golf course constructed west of the Mississippi River. The club was home to the 1904 Olympic Golf Games and also hosted the LPGA Tour’s St. Louis Women’s Invitational in 1954, 1964 and 1970.
For more information about the Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions, including free tickets, pro-am and hospitality availability, and volunteer opportunities, visit the event’s landing page on the Ascension Charity Classic website at ascensioncharityclassic.com/apga. For the latest news and updates on social media, follow the APGA Tour on Twitter at @APGA_Tour, on Facebook at @APGATour and on Instagram at @apgatour.
Members of the media interested in covering the Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions please contact Tom Sprouse at tsprouse@hnssports.com.
About APGA Tour
The APGA Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf. The APGA Tour Board of Directors works to accomplish this by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs and by introducing the game to inner city young people. In addition to conducting an expected 18 tournaments and awarding close to $1 million in prize and bonus money in 2023, the APGA has organized a Player Development Program to aid young minority golfers as they work to chase their goals in professional golf.
About Daugherty Business Solutions
For over 38 years, Daugherty has been committed to driving innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction across the nation while making a positive difference in our communities. With software engineering, data analytics, business advisory services, and technology and delivery leadership, Daugherty delivers significant business results quickly and effectively. Leveraging proprietary tools, techniques, and virtual and regional development centers, Daugherty is a preferred strategic advisor and partner for the Fortune 500, helping customers achieve better and more predictable outcomes for mission-critical initiatives. For more information, visit www.daugherty.com.
About Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson
The Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson is an official event on the PGA TOUR Champions operated by Tournaments for Charity, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit entity. This 54-hole stroke play golf tournament features 81 PGA TOUR Champions professionals competing for a $2 million purse at historic Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The event is designed to showcase the best golf on the PGA TOUR Champions for the enjoyment of spectators and to benefit local charities in the North St. Louis County area and beyond. All three official rounds will be internationally televised on the Golf Channel. For more information, visit ascensioncharityclassic.com.
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