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December 05, 2018

RECORD-SETTING CHARITABLE DONATION ANNOUNCED FOR 43RD PLAYING OF THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE

More than $2 million raised in 2018 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through alliance with Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation   

Dublin, Ohio – Officials of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide announced today that the 43^rd playing of the prestigious invitational, concluded June 3, 2018, raised a total of $2,500,000 for charitable organizations in central Ohio, including a record-setting $2,020,000 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through an alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. Since its first playing in 1976, the Memorial has eclipsed $32.7 million in donations to central Ohio charities, with more than $20.5 million going to Nationwide Children’s.

True to the hearts of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide includes as one of its primary objectives a genuine philanthropic vision. Embodied in the Memorial’s enduring partnership with Nationwide Children’s and support of its Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric care is at the center of each campaign and event these entities jointly execute.

“The Memorial is proud of its long-standing history of charitable giving in central Ohio and beyond,” said Dan Sullivan, the Tournament’s executive director. “Charitable giving has been a driving force for the Memorial from its beginning, and we are thrilled that the Tournament has been successful in growing its commitment to the local community and charity, especially its more than 43-year relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Events like our annual Legends Luncheon, Benefit Concert and FORE! Miler contributed to making this a record year in charitable giving, including topping the $2 million mark to Nationwide Children’s for the first time. Also central to the Memorial’s successful charitable campaign is the shared philanthropic vision of presenting sponsor Nationwide, and we are grateful to continue that relationship through the 2021 Tournament.”

“Additionally, the dedication and commitment exhibited by the Tournament’s volunteer corps, in particular the members of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Committee and the over 2,000 Nationwide Children’s volunteers, is an essential ingredient in making the Memorial one of the top tournaments on the PGA TOUR and a must-attend event in central Ohio.”

“The remarkable efforts of Nationwide, the Memorial Tournament, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and countless tournament volunteers help us care for children in our community and conduct research that has an impact on patients around the world,” said Steve Allen, MD, CEO, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Nationwide Children’s and the families we serve are grateful to have these generous partners in the mission of child health.”   

Nationwide, which has been the Tournament sponsor for nine years, shares a similar tradition of support for Nationwide Children’s. Nationwide is committed to broadening the impact of its presenting sponsorship of the Memorial Tournament to bring greater awareness and increased funding to Nationwide Children’s and to those who benefit the most – families and children in need of care. That commitment was on full display in December 2015, when Nationwide, the Memorial Tournament and the PGA TOUR announced a six-year relationship that began with the 2016 Tournament. The agreement extends the partnership among the three organizations through 2021.

“The Memorial Tournament continues to be a unique platform in which to tell the stories of the patients, doctors, nurses and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and, in turn, raise money to continue their work,” said Nationwide Senior Vice President of Marketing Jennifer MacKenzie. “As a company who is dedicated to supporting the communities in which we live and work, Nationwide is proud to support these efforts and we look forward to doing so again next year.”

The 2019 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide is scheduled for May 27–June 2 at world-renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club. The public may call the Tournament Ticket Office 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 877-MT BADGE or visit http://www.mtbadge.com to purchase badges. Kids 18 and under can attend for free with a ticketed adult. Daily practice round tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are also available. The introductory cost is $35 through January 31, and they are valid for all three practice-round days.

Please note: the official name of the event is the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide.

About the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide

The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the world’s best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit many Greater Columbus Charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, Nationwide Children's Hospital and numerous other local organizations. For more information, visit www.thememorialtournament.com or call 614-889-6700.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report ‘s 2018-19 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric health care systems providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 13,000 providing state-of-the-art pediatric care during more than 1.4 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.

Media Contact

Thomas P. Sprouse                                                                                                                                         

Director of Communications,                                                                                            

the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide            

E-Mail: tsprouse@thememorialtournament.com  

Office: 614-889-6791   

Mobile: 614-519-1873

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