The 6th annual Downey Classic is set for July 12-18 at Brook-Lea CC.
GATES, N.Y. – – The Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic returns to Rochester July 12-18 at Brook-Lea Country Club. Players scheduled to attend Thursday’s news conference included: Sierra Brooks, Kelly Whaley, Madison Pressel, and amateur Chelsea Dantonio from Buffalo.
Golfers who have played in the five previous tournaments in Rochester have gone on to win 25 LPGA events, including four majors, and 2019 champion Patty Tavatanakit won the LPGA’s first major this year in April. “We expect to have our strongest field ever and based on the success the alumni of this tour and our tournament have shown, that’s saying a lot,” said Mike Vadala, the DDCUC Tournament Co-Chairperson.
Other major winners who played in Rochester include Sophia Popov, Brooke Henderson and Hannah Green. Nelly Korda has risen to No. 4 in the world rankings. The DDCUC hasbecome Western New York’s premier women’s professional sporting event, and at a time when gender equity is a major focus, it benefits women directly. The tournament and Symetra Tour gives 144 women from around the world a chance to chase their dream of playing this game at the very highest level each year.
WNY business leaders have stepped up support to increase our purse, but also to boost donations to charity and to support local women beyond the fairways and greens.
●Charity: We have donated more than $200,000. This year’s major benefactor is the Pluta Cancer Center Foundation, which supports all cancer patients but predominantly those with breast cancer.
●Junior golf: On Monday, July 12 we kick off tournament week with our “Junior Experience,” a full day that is a tribute to Danielle Downey. It starts with the Visions Federal Credit Union Junior Clinic for kids between ages 4 to12.
●High School Girls Play with the Pros: Also on July 12 as part of the Crosby Brownlie Future of Women’s Golf Pro-Am, local high school girls will play 18 holes with a professional and three people from the community. Several of these young players have gone on to play in college, motivated by their ability to maintain their friendships with the pro who they played with in our event.
●After the Pro-Am on Monday, the Danielle Downey Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior girl. She receives a $2,500 scholarship and matching donation of $2,500 to the charity of her choice.
On Tuesday, July 13, the Deloitte Women’s Forum, presented by Visit Rochester, brings together young professionals and executives (all women) in an amazing learning environment that enriches the lives of all attendees. The Kinecta Federal Credit Union Celebrity Scramble is also scheduled for Tuesday, July 13th in the afternoon. Among the celebrities are former NFL, NHL, and NCAA players and an Olympic Gold Medalist and they will be announced Thursday morning.
There are two more pro-am events on Wednesday, and we also host the New York State Credit Union Association Young Professionals Conference all day Thursday.
These are just a few of the ways that the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic has successfully benefitted young people and women in Rochester and around the world. It’s a great event and we are so excited to get a little breath of normalcy. The outdoor nature of a golf tournament will allow the community to come out and enjoy life again, to enjoy sports again and to support a great event in a great environment at BLCC.