The Ascension Charity Classic is steadfastly dedicated to growing the game of golf for area youth and serving the community of greater St. Louis by supporting charities in North St. Louis County and beyond, including primary beneficiaries Marygrove, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. To that end, the tournament hosts a number of special events each year in support of these initiatives.
RSM Charity Putting Challenge
The second annual RSM Charity Putting Challenge featured nine teams, each consisting of one PGA TOUR Champions professional, one charity representative, and one junior/youth player associted with the charity competitor. The teams competed in a scramble-format putting match over a specially designed nine-hole miniature golf course.
The participating charities in the 2023 RSM Putting Challenge were: Good Shepherd Children & Family Services (1st place, $7,000), Ronald McDonald House (2nd place, $4,500), Operation Food Search (3rd place, $2,500), Marygrove (4th place, $1,500), Eta Boule' (5th place, $900), St. Louis Counseling (6th place, $800), Lafayette Industries (7th place, $700), Our Little Haven (8th place, $600), Lolly's Place (9th place, $500), Little Bit Foundation (10th place, $500), Family Forward (11th place, $500).
Ascension Charity Classic Youth Clinic presented by Accenture
The 2023 Ascension Charity Classic Youth Clinic presented by Accenture provided a group of young golfers the opportunity to come together, learn and develop golf skills, and receive tips from PGA TOUR Champions and APGA Tour players. Participating youth represented a number of local organizations, including Diversity Golf, First Tee of Greater St. Louis, PGA REACH Gateway, Youth on Course, and Special Olympics Missouri. Select young golfers were given the opportunity to compete in a Youth Challenge for a chance to win prizes.
Legends Charity Challenge presented by World Wide Technology
The Legends Charity Challenge presented by World Wide Technology is a 9-hole team scramble exhibition match to benefit charity.
The 2023 edition of the Legends Charity Challenge, one of the tournament's signature special events, featured World Golf Hall of Fame member and Missouri native Hale Irwin, St. Louis Cardinal legend and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, and representing the St. Louis Blues, Hall of Fame member Chris Pronger, Stanley Cup winning head coach Craig Berube, Steve Ott and Robert Thomas.
The Legends Charity Challenge took place on Saturday, September 9 ⎯ following the final pairing of the Ascension Charity Classic’s second round⎯and began on Hole No. 10 at Norwood Hills Country Club.
In total, this year's Legends Charity Challenge presented by World Wide Technology raised more than $64,000 for charity during the second round of the Ascension Charity Classic. Hale Irwin, Chris Pronger, and Robert Thomas playing for Team First Tee of Greater St. Louis raised $29,000 for their charity, Ozzie Smith, Craig Berube, and Steve Ott playing for PGA REACH GATEWAY raised $35,500.
Legends Breakfast presented by Centene & Missouri Division of Tourism
The Legends Breakfast presented by Centene & Missouri Division of Tourism on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 showcased the Ascension Charity Classic's philanthropic spirit with all proceeds benefiting charitable causes in St. Louis.
The 2023 Legends Breakfast showcased Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt sharing stories from their playing days with the St. Louis Rams as members of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, which included three divisional titles, two NFC Championships and the Lombardi trophy as Super Bowl XXXIV champions.
