The Memorial Tournament is pleased to announce a multi-year pledge with Columbus Children’s Hospital that extends a successful 30-year year partnership with the hospital as the Tournament’s primary charitable beneficiary. Since 1976, the Memorial Tournament has raised more than $5.7 million to support the programs and services at Children’s Hospital. In recognition of the Memorial’s pledge, which will elevate the level of giving to more than $11 million in the coming years, Columbus Children’s Hospital has announced that their newest newborn unit, currently under construction, will be dedicated as the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“Jack and I are so proud of the Memorial Tournament’s relationship with Columbus Children’s Hospital,” Barbara Nicklaus said. “For years, the hospital has provided tremendous care to so many children, including our own. Columbus Children’s Hospital has a special place in the hearts of the Nicklaus family.”
Columbus Children’s Hospital operates the largest neonatal (newborn) program in the country, and the current clinical construction project will result in a total of 133 beds dedicated to neonatal services. Fourteen new private rooms, particularly suited to the chronic patient in need of acute care, will feature an enhanced family-centered care environment that will allow parents to stay overnight at their baby’s bedside. These new patient rooms will feature natural light, better sound and light control, will provide better privacy for families, and will enhance delivery of the highest quality of neonatal care by interdisciplinary teams. In addition, three rooms will enable parents of twins to stay in one room with both babies, and two rooms will provide the same comfort for parents of triplets or quadruplets.
“Our charitable relationship with Columbus Children’s Hospital is a valuable part of the Memorial Tournament tradition,” Jack Nicklaus said. “On behalf of the Memorial Tournament and our family, Barbara and I look forward to a continued commitment to help the children of Central Ohio and beyond.”
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus began their support of Columbus Children’s Hospital well before the first playing of the Memorial in 1976, and they have made the hospital a personal philanthropic priority. As the parents of five children, grandparents to 16, and leaders in the hospital’s giving community, Jack and Barbara have proven their dedication to excellence in pediatric healthcare.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Jack and Barbara, and through their efforts, the Memorial Tournament,” said Thomas N. Hansen, MD, Columbus Children’s Hospital CEO. “This type of ongoing, inspirational support is vital to our mission of providing all children with access to the highest-quality pediatric care and research, regardless of ability to pay. Columbus Children’s Hospital and the families we serve are most fortunate to have devoted friends like Jack, Barbara and the Memorial Tournament.”
The relationship between the Memorial Tournament and Columbus Children’s Hospital has existed since the first playing of the Memorial 30 years ago. The relationship revolves around the selfless dedication of the Women’s Auxiliary Committee for Children’s Hospital and its volunteers. This dedication is reflected in the more than 21,000 hours clocked during Tournament week by over 2,600 volunteers of the Women’s Auxiliary. It is a relationship that annually generates thousands of dollars in recognition of the committee’s efforts and in support of the great work being done year after year at Columbus Children’s Hospital.
The Memorial Tournament is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, which was founded and is 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 charitable organizations in central Ohio. For more information, call 614-889-6700 or visit our website at www.thememorialtournament.com.