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 | | A Time for Thanksgiving | |
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We are exactly two weeks away from satisfying our cravings for turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and whatever else we can find at the dinner table. While over indulging in delicious food and being around the smiling faces of our loved ones is awesome, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate a day of Thanksgiving.
While we didn’t get to see everyone at this year’s tournament, we hope to see many of you in 2021! The Valero Texas Open staff is grateful for the volunteers that come from near and far to contribute their time and energy, the members of the media who help tell our story around the world, the generous sponsors who support the Tournament and its charitable mission, the PGA TOUR players and their families who travel to Texas to compete and provide excitement to our fans, the spectators who cheer on and support one of San Antonio’s oldest traditions, and the charities who offer compassion and care for those in need throughout our community.
Each of us plays a vital role in making the tournament a huge success. Together, we are the Valero Texas Open family and we are grateful to have you a part of it. Happy Thanksgiving!
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| | The Masters Tournament | |
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The Valero Texas Open was slated to take place the week prior to the Masters Tournament this past spring. However, the pandemic caused a ripple effect causing cancelled tournaments, such as ours, and the rescheduling of some like the Masters Tournament for this fall.
As you tune in to watch the first round today, the treasured scenery will look quite different. Rather than the course being flocked with azaleas, pink dogwood and adorned with magnolias, the Georgia pines will showcase warm autumn tones of the south with accents of nandina, pampas and camellia plants. The iconic logo will be blanketed with marigolds on the heels of Thanksgiving. Due to the fall time change resulting in less daylight, players will be sent off the first and 10th tees.
Over the weekend, broadcast will also have a noticeable change. “When exploring ways to showcase a fall Masters, we were drawn to the concept of hosting College GameDay at Augusta National to introduce the Tournament to a new audience and provide even more anticipation and excitement to the event,” Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said. “We appreciate the collaboration with ESPN, our longtime broadcast partner, for this first-of-its-kind opportunity.”
Interesting Notes:
 | Tiger Woods enters as the defending champion in hopes of gaining his sixth green jacket, but eyes will be on Bryson DeChambeau this week after his impressive victory at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. | |
| San Antonio resident Abraham Ancer, 29, will be making his Masters Tournament debut. After making his debut with the International Team in the 2019 Presidents Cup, Ancer concluded the 2019-2020 PGA TOUR season with two runner-up finishes and two other top 10s. | |
| Five past Valero Texas Open champions will be competing this week including our defending champion, Corey Conners (2019) along with Andrew Landry (2018), Jimmy Walker (2015), Adam Scott (2010) and two-time VTO champion Zach Johnson (2008, 2009). | |
| This will be the third Masters Tournament for Canada's Corey Conners, 28. His first visit was in 2015, as the U.S. Amateur runner-up. He then earned an invite in 2019 in dramatic fashion, winning the Valero Texas Open the week before the Masters. | |
| Texas native Andrew Landry will be making a second Masters Tournament appearance this week. | |
| Boerne resident Jimmy Walker will be making his seventh start in the Masters Tournament, where he's made the cut each time. His best finish was a share of eighth place in his debut in 2014 and he won the Par 3 Contest in 2016. | |
| Adam Scott was the first Australian to win the Masters Tournament in 2013. | |
| Among his 12 victories on the PGA TOUR, including two major championships, Zach Johnson earned his green jacket in 2007 followed by two pairs of champion boots from the Valero Texas Open (black pair & brown pair). | |
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| | Champions fore Charity Kicks Off New Season | |
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Valero Texas Open is pleased to announce that two hundred and eleven (211) charities and schools from San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and surrounding cities have registered thus far to participate in the annual fundraising campaign Champions fore Charity.
This year’s annual kick off looked quite different. Given the challenges with the pandemic and observing social distancing, a virtual webinar was hosted by our program Ambassadors Randy Carroll of KJ 97, David Chancellor of WOAI’s News 4 San Antonio, and Kimberly Crawford of KABB Fox 29’s “Daytime with Kimberly and Esteban”. Participating charities, schools and program sponsors “tuned in” to watch and helped us kick off the new fundraising campaign season.
The fundraising program provides nonprofit organizations with an unique and engaging platform to solicit donations while keeping 100% of the funds raised plus incentives, including a 7% matching gift opportunity provided by the Valero Texas Open.
 | | Ambassadors Randy Carroll, David Chancellor, and Kimberly Crawford at the kick off webinar. |
Individuals and corporations from around the world are encouraged to participate and support their favorite cause through Champions fore Charity, while knowing contributions are tax deductible and are maximized through the financial incentives the Valero Texas Open provides to participating organizations.
This year’s donation platform is more dynamic and provides donors a chance to search participating organizations by region as well as charitable mission. Donors can click to learn more about the organization including the fundraising goal and how funds will be used amongst other useful features to help tell the story of the charity and the services provided.
We are thankful for our charities and donors. Donors are champions fore supporting charities. Charities are champions fore supporting our community. Registration is still open for prospective charities and schools looking for no-cost fundraising opportunities. To learn more and donate to your favorite charity and/or school visit, www.championsforecharity.com.
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| | Veteran’s Day | |
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While yesterday marks Veteran’s Day, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the men and women who have fought and served our country. We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices you and your families have each endured.
If you would like to show your support and contribute to a charity providing services to the military and our veterans, please consider these charities participating in Champions fore Charity:
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