The Sanderson Farms Championship announced today that Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company is back for the fourth consecutive year as a Tournament Partner and Official Volunteer Sponsor for the upcoming PGA TOUR event. The Sanderson Farms Championship will be held at The Country Club of Jackson, October 2-8, 2023.
“Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company is thrilled to continue our Tournament Partnership with the Sanderson Farms Championship,” said Will Waldrop, Senior VP Marketing, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. “As the Championship’s Official Volunteer Sponsor, our employees will welcome the hands-on opportunity to make a difference for Mississippi charities and our children in need.”
Since 1994, Century Club Charities has served as the host organization for the event that in 2022 alone, created a charitable impact of over $1.5 million for Mississippi charities. In its 56th year, Mississippi’s largest professional sporting event has raised over $23 million for Mississippi charities.
The Sanderson Farms Championship needs 1,000+ volunteers each year to serve in various positions. Many statewide companies provide many of the tournament’s volunteers by sponsoring their employees as volunteer groups. Individual volunteer opportunities are available for those 15 and older. Those interested are encouraged to sign up early to reserve a spot on their preferred committee.
Erin Brockovich, a modern-day hero renowned for her tenacious battle against powerful corporations, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship’s Women’s Day luncheon.
Scheduled to take place at The Country Club of Jackson, MS on Tuesday, October 3, Brockovich will share her experiences seeking justice for victims of environmental wrongdoing. International Paper returns as presenting sponsor for the popular event, now in its ninth year.
“We are extremely grateful to International Paper for their ongoing commitment to the Women’s Day Luncheon,” said Steve Jent, the tournament’s executive director. “Their generous support has enabled us to make this event more extraordinary each year, establishing it as one of the premier women-centric events on the PGA TOUR. We thank them for their continued commitment as a Tournament Partner.”
“At International Paper, we believe an inclusive and collaborative workplace where all employees are included, valued, and treated with dignity and respect is fundamental to our future success. Women in IP Mentoring Board is one way that International Paper brings together women to promote awareness, support development and encourage collaboration,” said Mandi Gilliland, Regional General Manager and Women in IP Sponsor. “International Paper is proud to return as presenting sponsor of the Sanderson Farms Championship Women’s Day luncheon.”
Brockovich first rose to international fame in 2000 when Julia Roberts starred in the lead role of the Oscar-winning drama “Erin Brockovich,” depicting her tireless efforts that led to the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. It was while working as a legal researcher at Masry & Vititoe Law Firm in California, that she discovered medical records indicating that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) had been contaminating the town of Hinkley’s water supply with Chromium 6 for over 30 years. Through sheer determination and grit, Brockovich was instrumental in bringing PG&E down and forcing them to pay out a staggering $333 million dollars in settlements to more than 600 Hinkley residents who had been affected by their toxic pollution.
Such is the power of Erin Brockovich’s story that it has inspired people around the world to believe in themselves and make a difference. In addition to being featured on television shows and creating an autobiographical book, New York Times Bestseller “Take It From Me: Life’s A Struggle But You Can Win,” she has gone on to write two fiction novels, “Rock Bottom” and “Hot Water.” Her latest release, “Superman’s Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do About It,” drew wide media attention before its publication. Her inspiring stories are examples of what can be accomplished when individuals take action and fight back against powerful entities that are harming people or communities.
As President of Brockovich Research & Consulting, Brockovich is currently involved in numerous environmental projects worldwide. She has requests for her help in ground water contamination complaints in every state of the U.S., Australia, and other international hotspots. She is currently working on cases in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri.
For more information on how to purchase a Women’s Day luncheon table, please call the Sanderson Farms Championship office at 601.898.4653 or email Erin Kiker at erin@sandersonfarmschampionship.com.
JACKSON, Miss. (July 14, 2022) – Online sales are now open for mobile tickets to the 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship. The 2022 tournament will take place from September 26-October 2 at The Country Club of Jackson, where the PGA TOUR event has been hosted since 2014. Mobile tickets and ticket packages for the tournament are available through the Ticketmaster website. Spectators may also visit www.sandersonfarmschampionship.com, for pricing and to access tickets. No paper tickets are available.
All military, veterans, first responders, and 911 dispatchers receive two free mobile tickets each day, Thursday – Sunday. To receive tickets, visit the Will Call station at Northpark with proper credentials.
Admission to Wednesday’s Walker’s Cay Pro-Am is free for spectators. Anyone attending the Pro-Am will still need to present a mobile ticket, which may be ordered in advance on Ticketmaster.
Parking and shuttle transportation for spectators will be at Northpark on County Line Road in Ridgeland. Accessible parking spaces will be located at Christ United Methodist Church on Old Canton Road in Jackson.
For more information on ticket sales, please call the Sanderson Farms Championship office at 601.898.4653.
Tournament officials at the Sanderson Farms Championship are excited to announce that the 2022 Women’s Day promises be an action-packed day with keynote speaker – and one of the Sports Illustrated 100 most influential NFL figures of all time – Sarah Thomas. A Pascagoula, MS native, Sarah will share her story of how she became the first full-time female official in NFL history and how her history-making event has opened doors for other women to follow in her footsteps.
On April 8, 2015, Sarah Thomas was one of nine new game officials added to the NFL officiating roster for the 2015 season, becoming the first full-time female official in NFL history. Her history-making game happened on September 13, 2015 between Kansas City and Houston. Five years later, at the end of the 2020 season, Sarah once again shattered the glass ceiling as she was picked to officiate the Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida, making her the first female to ever work a Super Bowl. Her jerseys, hats, whistles, and flags from both of those game-changing events are on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Women’s Day luncheon, in its eighth year, will be held at The Country Club of Jackson on Tuesday, September 27. International Paper returns as presenting sponsor for the popular event.
“We want to thank International Paper for once again serving as presenting sponsor for the Women’s Day luncheon,” said Steve Jent, the tournament’s executive director. “International Paper’s ongoing support has allowed us to continue shattering our own glass ceiling on what I am convinced is the best Women’s Day event on the PGA TOUR.”
“At International Paper, diversity and inclusion is about recognizing and appreciating the value of each unique individual and leveraging those differences to increase engagement. The Women in IP Mentoring Board is one way that International Paper brings together women to promote awareness, support development and encourage collaboration,” said Mandi Gilliland, Strategic Pricing and Customer Relationship Manager and Women in IP Mentoring Board Leader. “International Paper is proud to return as presenting sponsor of the Sanderson Farms Championship Women’s Day luncheon.”
Off the field, Sarah is a marketing specialist for Mid-South Rehab, Inc., a national speaker for Keppler Speakers Bureau, and a consultant for Rodan + Fields. Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Sarah is a University of Mobile graduate, where she earned a full scholarship as a basketball player with Academic All-American honors. Recognized nationally for her many accomplishments throughout her journey, the stand out is being named to Sports Illustrated’s 100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time. However, to Sarah, nothing compares to the highest accolade of being mom to her three children, Bridley, Brady, and Bailey.
Sarah Thomas’ story is captured in the five-part documentary series Earnin’ It, which premiered on Peacock NBC in 2022, with a focus on the women in football who are paving the way for others to follow in the field. Sarah’s story also figures prominently in the wildly popular podcast of the same name, which also launched in 2022.
For more information on how to purchase a Women’s Day luncheon table, please call the Championship office at 601.898.4653 or email Erin Kiker at erin@sandersonfarmschampionship.com.
At a news conference Tuesday, Century Club Charities presented the $1,500,000 check to Friends of Children’s Hospital (FOCH), a fundraising organization dedicated to supporting the University of Mississippi Medical Center‘s pediatric health care mission, including the state’s only children’s hospital.
“Through the efforts of our amazing Tournament Partners and Sponsors, especially our Title Sponsor, Sanderson Farms, as well as the Century Club Charities members, board, and staff; tournament volunteers, The Country Club of Jackson, and the PGA TOUR, the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship allowed us to reach a once thought unattainable goal for Mississippi charities,” stated Pat Busby, President of Century Club Charities, Inc. “We were very excited to host a first-class event with spectators and all the excitement fans have come to expect, and that support allowed us to reach lofty goals in another year when Children’s of Mississippi and other statewide charities are in great need.”
“Today’s $1.5 million gift to Friends of Children’s Hospital for the benefit of Children’s of Mississippi, coupled with over $255,000 to other Mississippi charities, takes the 2021 total charitable impact of Century Club Charities to over $1,755,000 statewide,” continued Busby. “We are truly blessed to be able to do what we do for the children, families, dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff who provide miraculous care to our children, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Since Sanderson Farms, Inc. became the Title Sponsor in 2013, the tournament and Century Club Charities has contributed over $14.7 million to Friends of Children’s Hospital and other Mississippi charities.
“It was great to host our fans again this year after being unable to have spectators onsite in 2020,” said Sanderson Farms Championship Executive Director Steve Jent. “The fan base, combined with the continued support of Sanderson Farms, our sponsors and Century Club members – along with the hard work of our volunteers and staff – allowed us to create another special year for our charities.”
“Through this successful fundraiser, which is the premier event in the state of Mississippi, Century Club Charities has provided immeasurable support to Children’s of Mississippi. Over the years, their generosity has helped us fulfill our mission to serve Mississippi’s sick and injured children,” said John Scarbrough, chairman of Friends of Children’s Hospital. “On behalf of Mississippi’s youngest patients, thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to improving the health of the state – one child at a time.”
The donation to Friends of Children’s Hospital will go toward completing the funding of the seven-story Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi.
The Sanderson Tower more than doubles the square footage devoted to pediatric care at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The state-of-the art facility includes two floors of private neonatal intensive care rooms where parents can stay with their babies as they grow healthier, a dozen advanced surgical suites, and a floor of private pediatric intensive care rooms. A pediatric imaging center and a multidisciplinary outpatient specialty clinic are also included, as is a parking garage nearby.
The tower opened for patient care November 2, 2020. Since its opening, thousands of children have received care inside the Sanderson Tower. This includes more than 1,000 babies starting life in the Sanderson Tower’s two floors of private neonatal intensive care rooms and more than 1,000 children who have received care in the tower’s private pediatric intensive care rooms. Nearly 9,000 surgeries have been performed in the Sanderson Tower’s 12 operating rooms, and scans performed in the tower’s pediatric imaging center number almost 70,000.
“Being here today signifies the mission of many individuals who work tirelessly year-round towards a common goal of giving back,” said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., Sanderson Farms CEO and board chairman. “Today we are privileged to give back to the young patients, their families, the doctors, nurses, and staff of Children’s of Mississippi.”
“The Sanderson Farms Championship would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors, the determination of Century Club Charities and the time and commitment from hundreds of volunteers,” continued Sanderson. “These amazing partners and supporters are why we are able to be here today.”
So far, more than 93 percent of the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi’s $100 million goal has been raised through philanthropic gifts such as today’s presentation from the Sanderson Farms Championship to Friends of Children’s Hospital. In 2016, Friends of Children’s Hospital pledged $20 million to the campaign.
“Century Club Charities and the Sanderson Farms Championship have proven their commitment to children’s health care yet again,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “The millions of dollars raised through the Sanderson Farms Championship provide invaluable support of world-class health care close to home for Mississippi’s families. We are so grateful for this ongoing contribution.”
About the Sanderson Farms Championship The Sanderson Farms Championship is an annual stop on the PGA TOUR hosted by Century Club Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the game of golf for the benefit of charity. The tournament’s primary beneficiary is Friends of Children’s Hospital. The tournament has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968 and is now in its 12th year as a part of the FedExCup. Sanderson Farms (NASDAQ:SAFM), the nation’s third largest poultry producer based in Laurel, Miss., is the title sponsor.
About Century Club Charities Century Club Charities is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the game of golf for the benefit of Mississippi charities. Since 1994, Century Club Charities has served as the host organization for Mississippi’s PGA TOUR event, helping to raise over $21 million for statewide charities.
About Sanderson Farms Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 17,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 17 cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that we do, not only where products are concerned, but companywide, as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company.
About Children’s of Mississippi Children’s of Mississippi, part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, encompasses all of the pediatric services available at UMMC and at clinical sites throughout Mississippi. At the heart of these services is the state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children. The Children’s of Mississippi network brings specialized clinical care for children to communities across the state, making it easier for families to get the treatment they need closer to home.
About the University of Mississippi Medical Center UMMC is the state’s only academic medical center. Its education, research and health care missions share the objectives of improving the health of the state’s population and eliminating health disparities.
Located in Jackson, UMMC encompasses seven health science schools, including medicine, nursing, health related professions, dentistry, pharmacy, graduate studies and population health. The Medical Center’s health care enterprise includes the state’s only Level I trauma center, only children’s hospital, and only organ and bone marrow transplant program. The Medical Center also is home to a Telehealth Center of Excellence, one of two in the nation.
About Friends of Children’s Hospital Friends of Children’s Hospital is a nonprofit organization benefiting Children’s of Mississippi at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Founded in 1989, Friends works to support and promote Mississippi’s only hospital designed and equipped specifically for the care and treatment of sick or injured children. Their goal is to raise money for state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and services for all pediatric patients by building a statewide base of community support. Voluntarism, fundraising events and awareness efforts make it possible for Friends to help the Children’s Hospital meet the EXTRAordinary needs of caring for its patients. Please visit friendsofch.org for more information.
Sam Burns clinched his second PGA TOUR win of 2021 — and of his career — after holding off Nick Watney late in the game at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The 25-year-old Louisiana native and LSU graduate played an incredible back nine on Sunday, ending in a one-shot victory over Watney, who closed with a 65 and his best finish in more than three years.
Burns closed out the week at 5-under 67 at The Country Club of Jackson, where the Championship has been hosted for eight consecutive years. Burns claimed a $1.26 million prize from a $7 million purse and 500 FedExCup points, tying him with Max Homa for first place in the 2022 FedExCup.
Burns’ first TOUR win was at the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in May. Now with his second win of the year — in his first start of the new season — Burns is projected to move to #18 in the world.
He ended a trend in which six of the last seven winners of the Sanderson Farms Championship captured their first PGA TOUR title. Six players in contention at the start of the final round had recently earned their PGA TOUR cards through the Korn Ferry TOUR.
“We are thrilled to have Sam as an ambassador for the Sanderson Farms Championship,” said executive director Steve Jent. “Sam made his professional debut at our tournament with a sponsor’s exemption here in 2017, now he has come full circle with an exciting win today. This has been a stellar week, and we look forward to doing this again in 2022!”
“This is definitely a full circle moment,” said Burns. “This is one of my favorite events on TOUR. I always enjoy coming here and being close to home, and for Steve (Jent) to give me that opportunity as a kid coming out of college, it meant a lot to me. God willing I’ll be able to play here for the next 20 years, and it will always have a special place in my heart.”
The main benefactor of the Sanderson Farms Championship is Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital. The tournament also donates a portion of the proceeds to 62 additional Mississippi charities.
The total amount raised by the 2021 tournament will be announced later this year. The 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship will fall on the same week next year, September 26 -October 2, 2022.
Morning Wave
1st place
Tom Hoge, Anirban Lahiri (pro) -19
Forrest Roberts, David Roberts, Eli Popicg
2nd place
Matthew Wolff, Patrick Rodgers (pro) -18
Ned Turnbull, Fred Tatersall, Johnny Lang
3rd place
Harold Varner III, Matt Wallace (pro) -18
Ross Ivey, Skip Scaggs, Joshua Thornton
Afternoon Wave
1st place
Doug Ghim, Nick Taylor (pro) -19
Jason Briceno, Tod Gitlin, Grady Griffin
2nd place
Wyndham Clark, Bo Van Pelt (pro) -15
Chip Houcek, Dow Kirkpatrick, Todd Adams
3rd place
Adam Schenk, Mito Pereira (pro) -14
Fred Carlisle, Damon Palmer, Larson Barkurn
1st place
Josh Creel (pro)
Lynn Morris, Jim Creel, Kint Burdine
2nd place
Dawie van der Walt (pro)
Thomas Stansell, Jeremey Morris, Hayes Singleton
3rd place
Hayden Buckley (pro)
Christian Brown, Steve Shockley, Paul Garcia
Online sales are now open for mobile tickets to the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship. The 2021 tournament will take place from September 27-October 3 at The Country Club of Jackson, where the PGA TOUR event has been hosted since 2014.
“We are excited to have our fans back, as last year we really missed the excitement and energy they bring to the tournament,” said executive director Steve Jent. “There is definitely a buzz among the PGA TOUR players that the Sanderson Farms Championship is a great event to play in the fall portion of the season. I really think the stars are aligning for this to be a special year!”
Ticket sales for the tournament are available through Ticketmaster’s Account Manager digital ticketing tool. Spectators may visit the tournament’s tickets page to access ticket sales. New for 2021, all tickets will be mobile. No printed tickets will be available.
Day-specific grounds tickets are $30, Good-Any-Day grounds tickets are $35, and youth 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Weekly ground tickets are also available for $60. In addition, Good-Any-Day and weekly grounds tickets are available for the BankPlus Fan Pavilion located on the 12th green, for $50 and $100 respectively.
All Military, Veterans, First Responders, and 911 Dispatchers receive two free mobile tickets each day, Thursday – Sunday. Visit Will Call, located at Northpark Mall, to show proper credentials and receive mobile tickets.
Admission to Wednesday’s Allen Exploration Pro-Am is free for spectators. Anyone attending this event will still need to present a mobile ticket, which should be ordered in advance online.
Parking and shuttle transportation for spectators will be at Northpark on County Line Road in Ridgeland. Accessible parking spaces will be located at Christ United Methodist Church on Old Canton Road in Jackson.
For a complete listing of ticket packages or to order, please visit the tickets page. For more information on ticket sales, please call the Sanderson Farms Championship office at 601.898.4653.
At a news conference Tuesday, Century Club Charities and the Sanderson Farms Championship presented the $1.45M check to Friends of Children’s Hospital (FOCH), the fundraising organization dedicated to supporting the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s pediatric health care mission, including the state’s only children’s hospital.
“Through the efforts of our amazing Tournament Partners, especially our Title Sponsor, Sanderson Farms, as well as the Century Club Charities members, board, and staff; tournament volunteers, The Country Club of Jackson, and the PGA TOUR, the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship results far exceeded our wildest dreams for what could be done for Mississippi charities in 2020,” stated Pat Busby, President of Century Club Charities, Inc. “Thanks to a generous donation from Sanderson Farms, Century Club Charities and the Sanderson Farms Championship are making record contributions in a year when Children’s of Mississippi and other statewide charities are in greater need.”
“Today’s $1.45M gift to Friends of Children’s Hospital for the benefit of Children’s of Mississippi, coupled with over $250,000 to other Mississippi charities, makes the 2020 total giving impact of Century Club Charities amount to over $1.7 million statewide,” continued Busby. “We are truly blessed to be able to do what we do for the children, families, dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff who provide miraculous care to 150-175,000 children, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Since Sanderson Farms, Inc. became the Title Sponsor in 2013, the tournament and Century Club Charities has contributed over $11.5 million to Friends of Children’s Hospital and other Mississippi charities.
“I am very proud of how our sponsors, volunteers, Century Club members, and staff responded to the challenges COVID-19 presented our team in 2020,” said Sanderson Farms Championship Executive Director Steve Jent. “To be able to follow the opening of the new Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower with another incredible charitable result speaks volumes about how committed our tournament constituents are to providing Mississippi’s children with world-class healthcare, no matter what obstacles are put in our path.”
“At this very moment, there are children upstairs in this remarkable Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower receiving life-saving treatment. That would never have been possible without the unwavering commitment that Century Club Charities has shown year after year, since 2016, to supporting Friends of Children’s Hospital in our quest to raise the dollars necessary to help make it happen,” said Melanie Morgan, Chair for Friends of Children’s Hospital. “Every business and individual who supports the Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club Charities can be proud of the impact their investment has made for current and future generations of children to be cared for in this magnificent facility.”
The donation to Friends of Children’s Hospital will go toward completing the funding of the seven-story Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi. In 2016, Friends made a $20 million pledge to the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi, the philanthropic effort to help fund the project. So far, more than 85 percent of the campaign’s $100 million goal has been raised.
The Sanderson Tower more than doubles the square footage devoted to pediatric care at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The state-of-the art facility includes two floors of private neonatal intensive care rooms where parents can stay with their babies as they grow healthier, a dozen advanced surgical suites, and a floor of private pediatric intensive care rooms. A pediatric imaging center and a multidisciplinary outpatient specialty clinic are also included, as is a parking garage nearby.
The tower opened for patient care November 2.
“While we weren’t able to gather in person for this year’s event, we are grateful for the opportunity to support Friends of Children’s Hospital and the thousands of children treated at Batson each year. The Sanderson Farms Championship is about much more than golf, and although we are faced with unusual circumstances, our focus remains the same,” said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., Sanderson Farms CEO and board chairman.
“This year, we witnessed with great pride, our community, state leaders, sports icons, and celebrities rally around the Championship like never before,” continued Sanderson. “I look forward to the day when we can stand side-by-side again in celebration of this hospital and the amazing work done here.”
“Despite a pandemic, Century Club Charities and the Sanderson Farms Championship have come through yet again for children’s health care and the state’s only children’s hospital,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “We are so grateful for their continued support.”
The Sanderson Farms Championship announced today that Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company is back for the fourth consecutive year as a Tournament Partner and Official Volunteer Sponsor for the upcoming PGA TOUR event. The Sanderson Farms Championship will be held at The Country Club of Jackson, October 2-8, 2023.
Erin Brockovich, a modern-day hero renowned for her tenacious battle against powerful corporations, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship’s Women’s Day luncheon.
