| Special Guest, President Bush, to be Featured at 10th Anniversary of a Night To Honor Our Heroes Military Appreciation Gala |
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Valero Texas Open officials, joined by 2018 champion
Andrew Landry, at its annual Media Day, kicked off the 2019 tournament campaign today with wide-ranging announcements highlighted by exciting tournament week activities and early player commitments.
The 2019 edition of the Valero Texas Open, which is scheduled for April 4-7 at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course, will be the first of a 10-year contract extension between the PGA TOUR and Valero Energy Corporation; a deal which repositions the tournament in a coveted slot on the TOUR schedule the week preceding The Masters.
Early announcements regarding the Valero Texas Open, which has made a tremendous impact on the San Antonio community since the 1920s, and its various tournament week activities include:
WORLD NO. 9, RICKIE FOWLER COMMITS: “I’m excited to compete in the Valero Texas Open for the first time in my career this coming April,”
Rickie Fowler expressed. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about the tournament and the host venue from other players and I am happy that my playing schedule aligns well with the tournament’s pre-Masters date.”
PAST CHAMPION PLAYER COMMITMENTS: Landry is one of five (5) tournament champions in the past decade currently committed to the third oldest PGA TOUR event on the schedule. Among them are
Kevin Chappell (2017), local star and major champion
Jimmy Walker (2015),
Martin Laird (2013) and
Brendan Steele (2011).
Players have until Friday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to commit to the Valero Texas Open. They can withdraw from the tournament at any time.
GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As part of its annual military appreciation platform, the Valero Texas Open will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of
Night to Honor Our Heroes, which will feature special guest,
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States. The gala event, which has become a cornerstone of the Valero Texas Open tournament week, will be held Friday, April 5, and will host more than 1,000 guests including members of our U.S. Armed Forces and other dignitaries as the tournament pays tribute to the men and women who serve and have served our country. To learn how you can be a part of this special evening, visit
www.ValeroTexasOpen.com/military-appreciation/.
TANJI PATTON TO SERVE AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR WOMEN’S DAY: On Tuesday, April 2, more than 300 women will participate in the 7th annual Valero Texas Open
Women’s Day event at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and TPC San Antonio. Tournament officials are excited to announce that
Tanji Patton, Emmy award winning journalist and Host/Executive Producer of the television series, “Good Taste with Tanji” will serve as the event’s Keynote Speaker. Patton, has captivated television audiences for years as she features food and wine that showcases top chefs, restaurants and winemakers throughout Texas. For more information on table sponsorships and individual tickets for this event please visit
www.ValeroTexasOpen.com/womens-day/.
DASH TO THE VTO: The 3rd annual Dash to the VTO presented by Humana Military will be held on Saturday, March 30 and will include a 5k and one-mile run/walk race around TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. It’s a chance for participants to get a sneak peek at the tournament layout prior to the PGA TOUR competition beginning later that week. A fun event for the whole family, this race will also help raise funds and awareness for the Valero Texas Open’s Birdies for Charity fundraising campaign. Race registration is open starting today. Visit
www.ValeroTexasOpen.com/dashtothevto/ for more details or to register.
TICKETS: All tickets, General Admission and Hospitality options, for the 2019 Valero Texas Open are officially on sale starting today through Ticketmaster.
 | LIVE ULTRA AT THE U – We are excited to once again partner with local colleges and universities on our 16th tee hospitality venue in which proceeds will support those participating institutions. Thanks to the support of our long-time partner Michelob ULTRA, guests of the newly named Live ULTRA at The U will benefit from great new in-venue activation elements and fan enhancements that they can enjoy while watching the PGA TOUR action. Tickets to Live ULTRA at The U are now on sale for $60 per person per day. |
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| MILITARY - As this is Military City, U.S.A., we are pleased to continue our tradition of offering complimentary admission to service men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. |
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| FIRST RESPONDERS - We are also proud to offer all Bexar county First Responders complimentary admission as well – for the fifth year in a row. |
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| HEROES PAVILION - Both the Military and First Responders can enjoy the “Heroes Pavilion” which will be located behind the 17th green with easy access from the main spectator entrance. |
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BIRDIES FOR CHARITY IS UNDERWAY: Valero Texas Open is pleased to announce that two hundred and fifteen (215) charities and schools from San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and surrounding cities have registered thus far to participate in the annual fundraising campaign,
Birdies for Charity®.
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.
Individuals and corporations from anywhere around the world are encouraged to participate and support their favorite cause through Birdies for Charity while knowing contributions are tax deductible and are maximized through the financial incentives the Valero Texas Open provides to participating organizations.
In 2018 the Valero Texas Open’s Birdies for Charity campaign set a new fundraising record of $4.022M which contributed greatly to the tournament’s overall charitable fundraising total of $12M.
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.ValeroTexasOpen.com/birdies.
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION TEES OFF: The Valero Texas Open will open volunteer registration to the public on Saturday, November 10 with its third annual Volunteer Registration Tee-Off event. The event will be held at The Shops at La Cantera from 11 am – 3 pm. All those who register to volunteer at the Tee-Off event will be entered in a drawing for incredible prizes.
Tournament officials are looking for volunteering enthusiasts with a passion to help and together create a fantastic Valero Texas Open experience for PGA TOUR players, corporate sponsors and spectators alike. The success of the Valero Texas Open is due in part to over 2,000 volunteers who serve on approximately 30 committees and give more than 48,000 hours of their time.
Visit
www.ValeroTexasOpen.com/volunteers/ to learn more and register.
