The inaugural golf tournament and
fundraiser will take place December 3-4,
2023 at the Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Florida. Professional, amateur, and
celebrity golfers will tee off in honor of late golf legend Payne
Stewart, and in support of the Payne Stewart Kids Golf
Foundation
PALM
CITY, Fla., Aug. 7, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- MF Entertainment (MFE), a full-service lifestyle
and entertainment company specializing in creating world-class
events and experiences, today announced the inception of the 2023
Payne Stewart Invitational, the primary fundraiser for the Payne
Stewart Kids Golf Foundation. Taking place December 3-4, 2023 at the Floridian National Golf
Club in Palm City, Florida, this
new tournament will combine competition and charity in honor of
3-time major winner, 11-time PGA Tour winner, and philanthropist
Payne Stewart.
In honor of Payne Stewart's legacy and the generosity of the
Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation, the tournament hopes to feature
recipients of the PGA Tour Payne Stewart Award, presented annually
by Southern Company, competing alongside fellow stars from the PGA
Tour, PGA TOUR Champions, LPGA, and A-list celebrity
participants.
The event will pair each team of four amateur players with one
professional or celebrity golfer of their choosing, competing in
both a Low Net and Low Gross score per team per hole format.
"Payne's profound love for people, his unyielding spirit of
sportsmanship, and his remarkable achievements in the world of
professional golf continue to inspire us all," said Tracey Stewart, wife of the late Payne Stewart.
"His commitment to enriching the lives of underprivileged youth
through golf provided the vision for this tournament, and we are
excited to embark on this new journey to bolster the impact of the
Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation."
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation is a non-profit
organization that promotes inclusivity and expands the
accessibility of age-appropriate golf equipment, training, and
faith-based learning for young aspiring golfers ages 3-9
nationwide. In the spirit of the foundation's mission of
introducing our nation's youth to the sport of golf, particularly
those in low-income and underrepresented communities, 100% of the
tournament proceeds will go to support the Payne Stewart Kids Golf
Foundation and its goal of $10
million raised by 2024.
"We look forward to putting together a best-in-class event with
a profound impact in introducing golf to countless youth who
wouldn't have the opportunity to experience otherwise," said
Mike Flaskey, CEO of MF
Entertainment. "We are truly honored and thankful to the Stewart
family for granting the Payne Stewart name and brand to this new
event, especially on the cusp of 2024's 25th anniversary of Payne's
historic U.S. Open win at Pinehurst. The Payne Stewart Invitational
will be a special showcase where professional golfers, top-notch
celebrities, and passionate supporters of the game will come
together to carry on Payne's indelible legacy to support a noble
cause."
During his tenure as the CEO of hospitality giant Diamond
Resorts, Flaskey founded the Diamond Resorts Tournament of
Champions, now renamed the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of
Champions, setting a new standard in world-class entertainment by
combining LPGA professionals, celebrities, and music in the spirit
of giving back. Since establishing MFE in 2021, Flaskey has
continued this momentum with the creation of the Invited Celebrity
Classic, a mixed professional-celebrity Charles Schwab Cup event on
the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Through these tournaments, Flaskey
and MF Entertainment have raised over $5
million, benefiting children's charities across the
country.
"We are thrilled to launch this tournament to unite a host of
amateurs, professional golfers, and celebrities behind a truly
meaningful cause," added Kelly
McCammon, Founder of the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation.
"In just three years of steadfast work, our foundation has made
great strides to expand golf accessibility and education in concert
with the vision of one of the game's most beloved luminaries, Payne
Stewart. The team at MF Entertainment have been strong advocates of
everything that Payne stood for, and we believe that 2023's event
is just the beginning of what will prove to be a long-lasting
collaboration."
The Payne Stewart Invitational will be hosted by the Floridian
National Golf Club, one of the nation's premier golf clubs, with a
course designed by famed golf architect Tom
Fazio. While the club has rarely hosted non-member events,
the ultimate vision of the tournament in supporting underprivileged
youth provided reason for the club to open its doors this
December.
Events will commence with the 2023 Payne Stewart Invitational
Draw Party at 6:00 PM ET on Sunday,
December 3, which will feature the tournament team draw, welcome
dinner and cocktails, headline concert, and both live and silent
auctions. Competitors will tee off on Monday, December 4, at noon ET in a "Shotgun" format. Each team will
receive a low net and low gross score on each hole, and the low net
and low gross team champions will be celebrated at the Monday
afternoon awards presentation and dinner to conclude the
tournament.
To find out more information about the 2023 Payne Stewart
Invitational, including partnership opportunities, please visit
paynestewartinvitational.com.
About MF Entertainment
MF Entertainment is a full-service lifestyle and entertainment
company bringing experiential brand activations to life through
golf tournaments, concerts, sports, and live events. Founded in
2021 by former Diamond Resorts CEO Mike
Flaskey, the team takes pride in identifying and executing
turnkey solutions for brands and organizations looking to amplify
their brand awareness through unforgettable events and experiences.
For more information, visit mfentertainment.com.
About Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation seeks to carry on Payne's
legacy of character, charity, and sportsmanship to the next
generation of golfers. We do this by offering golf learning
experiences to kids 3-9 years of age, teaching the fundamental of
golf and life. The foundation is an approved 501(c)3, which
supports families in need from all backgrounds assuring that access
to equipment and the cost of participation is never a barrier to
play. Our mission is to develop healthy kids for life through the
fun of golf.
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SOURCE MF Entertainment