USF Announces $100k Gift to Name Valspar Championship/Copperhead Charities Short Game Area
TAMPA, FEB. 12, 2019 – The Valspar Championship/Copperhead Charities ensured a bright future for both Bulls teams by providing the program with a $100k gift that will go toward the renovation of the USF Golf Center short game area.
"We are appreciative of the generosity of Copperhead Charities and their consistent support of the USF golf program," Vice President of USF Athletics
Michael Kelly said. "These funds will be instrumental in improving our golf training facility and will help make our championship goals a reality."
The newly named Valspar Championship/Copperhead Charities Short Game Area, located at The Claw at USF, was where the check presentation took place Monday evening at the USF Golf Center. Kelly was joined by members of each USF golf team at the ceremony and men's head coach
Steve Bradley said the generous gift will go a long way in helping each Bull achieve excellence on the course.
"The Valspar Championship/Copperhead Charities Short Game Area will allow our student-athletes to come here each and every day, knowing they have good facilities in place in order for them to get better at their craft," Bradley said.
The first phase of the renovation will focus on the shaping, irrigation and construction of three USGA-specification greens, which will be laser leveled. The project includes construction of a new tee area and the gift will provide new maintenance equipment that will support both USF golf teams. The Valspar Championship/Copperhead Charities proudly continued a partnership with the USF Foundation to present the Bulls with the transformational gift.
"Copperhead Charities and the Valspar Championship are honored to provide long-standing support to USF and the golf teams in particular," said Keith Robinson, General Chair for 2018-19 Valspar Championship Copperhead Charities and the Valspar Championship. "By helping to renovate the school's short game area, we hope in some small way to contribute to the teams' continued success and the growth in skills of each individual team member."
Construction at the USF Golf Center is anticipated to begin this summer. The gift also will allow the practice range to be lengthened to 300 yards and will support the addition of new safety netting around the perimeter of the practice range along with a new power-operated security gate at the golf center parking lot entrance, among other enhancements.
"What Copperhead Charities/Valspar Championship have done for us is game-changing and will make a massive difference in helping us elevate our programs," USF women's head coach
Erika Brennan said. "We are grateful that they value our teams. We look forward to honoring their gift by continuing to grow amazing young women and men on the golf course and beyond."
About the Valspar Championship
The Valspar Championship is Tampa Bay's PGA TOUR event and a part of the annual FedExCup competition. The 2019 Valspar Championship will be held on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida from March 18-24, 2019. Paul Casey is defending champion in a field of top PGA TOUR professionals. It is nationally televised by NBC Sports and Golf Channel. The event is owned and operated by Copperhead Charities, Inc. The title sponsor for the tournament is Valspar Paint. For more information, visit
www.valsparchampionship.com and follow @valsparchamp on Twitter.
About Copperhead Charities, Inc.
Copperhead Charities history of supporting charities through professional golf dates back to 1977, with funds generated exceeding $41 million. The 2019 Valspar Championship, is the 19th full-field PGA TOUR event sponsored by the Copperheads (General Chairman Keith Robinson, Vice Chairman Jim Eisch). Over 130 Tampa Bay area civic and business leaders are members of The Copperheads. The tournament is managed by Pro Links Sports with Executive Director Hollis Cavner and Tournament Director Tracy West.
About USF Foundation
The USF Foundation connects the University with donors who want to make a difference by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives, research, and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida System. Our donors celebrate the energy, vision, and future of one of the country's most exciting and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research, and our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance healthcare, science, technology, education, business, the arts, and global partnerships.
