Tucson, Ariz. (February 1, 2024) – Golf fans donating non-perishable food items or making a minimum $5 donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will receive a complimentary general admission ticket to Saturday, March 9th of the 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, compliments of presenting sponsor Exact Sciences. Beginning February 1st, non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be collected at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (3003 S Country Club Rd, Tucson) and at the PGA TOUR Champions tournament’s main entrance on Saturday, March 9th, in exchange for a complimentary general admission ticket. Additional community drop-off locations will be posted on the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences website in February. The 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences will take place at La Paloma Country Club March 8th – 10th.
According to Feeding America, Arizona has the third-highest rate of food insecurity among western states. To help combat the pervasiveness of hunger in Tucson, Exact Sciences is partnering with Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to make an even bigger impact.
“At Exact Sciences, we believe that a commitment to community makes everyone stronger,” said Everett Cunningham, Chief Commercial Officer of Exact Sciences. “We hope this partnership gives all Tucson community members the opportunity to attend this truly special event, while simultaneously benefiting a great cause and fighting food insecurity in the Southern Arizona community.”
Over the past seven years, charity and community impact have been at the core of the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences. Southern Arizona youth sports and Tucson-area colon cancer awareness initiatives have benefitted from tournament proceeds, including more than $3.1 million since the 2018 tournament, the first with Cologuard® as title sponsor.
“We’re grateful to have this support from the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences,” says Malea Chavez, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. “Hunger in southern Arizona is an enormous challenge and community partnerships can make a big difference, especially a high visibility event like the Cologuard Classic.”
The 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences PGA TOUR Champions golf tournament is scheduled to be played March 8th – 10th at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson. Played each March, the Cologuard Classic kicks off national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which raises awareness of colorectal cancer, highlights different screening options, and honors those affected by the disease. The 2024 tournament will feature a 78-player field competing for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 to the winner. David Toms is the defending Cologuard Classic champion. For more information on the Cologuard Classic, visit www.CologuardClassic.com.
This globally recognized tournament is made possible by title sponsor Exact Sciences, the Tucson Conquistadores, volunteers, fans, key community partnerships as well as organizations such as The University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit ExactSciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on X (formally known as Twitter) @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Cologuard®
The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society's (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. The Cologuard test performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit www.cologuard.com. Rx only.
About The Tucson Conquistadores
The Tucson Conquistadores, Inc. is a nonprofit organized for the purpose of supporting local youth and special needs amateur athletics primarily in Southern Arizona, with an emphasis on offering life enhancing opportunities to give back to the local community. The Conquistadores are comprised of up to 59 active business and professional members and a total membership of 223 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. The Conquistadores have raised more than $37.2 million for local charities since their inception in 1962, including more than $3,091,000 since the 2018 tournament, Cologuard’s first as title sponsor. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include Southern Arizona youth athletic programs, First Tee-Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has also established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com.
About The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona was named Food Bank Member of the Year in 2018 by Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks nationwide. Founded in 1976, The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona provides food for people in need, advocacy and nutrition education throughout southern Arizona including Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima and Santa Cruz Counties.
About La Paloma Country Club
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, La Paloma Country Club is Tucson’s premier private club, featuring 27-holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. The club’s new Toptracer Range enhances an already impressive member experience that includes a host of recently elevated amenities, including an expanded clubhouse, event and activities lawn, halfway house, and fitness center. In addition to golf amenities, La Paloma members enjoy 10 tennis courts, four pickleball courts, access to five food and beverage venues, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, a five-pool aquatic playground, and the La Paloma Spa & Salon. Managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, La Paloma Country Club is part of the beautiful 250-acre Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. For more information on La Paloma Country Club, visit www.lapalomacc.com or call 520-618-4000.
About The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
The iconic Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a lush, 250-acre desert retreat nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains boasting breathtaking mountain, desert and golf course views. The property recently underwent a $35 million rejuvenation, including all 487 of Tucson's largest and most luxurious guest rooms, which range from 475 to 1900 square feet. Every aspect of the Resort has been reinvented, from guestrooms and suites, to golf course bunkers, to the five expansive pools. The resort has also been ranked as the #1 Westin property in North America for Meeting Planner satisfaction for six of the last eight years. The resort features five swimming pools, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, five restaurants, a Tennis & Health Center, Westin Kids Club and retail shopping. The newly renovated 475 square foot Traditional Guest Rooms includes a large work area with a two-line speakerphone with data port, wireless internet access, voice messaging, 42" HD-TV, in-room movies, laptop-sized safe, full size ironing board and iron, Starbucks’s coffee and gourmet tea. Guest rooms also feature Westin’s exclusive Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bathroom and Heavenly Mirror. Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes away.
ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on X (formerly Twitter - @ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
Tournament Media Contact:
Rob Myers
602-317-6131
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