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Naples, FL – The 2010 ACE Group Classic may be over, but the tournament will have a year-long impact on the Southwest Florida community. Tournament officials announced that over $245,000 has been donated to charities in connection with the event. Donations were up over $10,000 when compared to the 2009 event.

“ACE is proud of its long-term association with The ACE Group Classic and, in turn, the support provided to charitable organizations in Southwest Florida,” said Richard Tallo, Senior Vice President of North America Communications and Marketing for the ACE Group. “Being able to give back to the community is one of the most important aspects of the event.”

“We are ecstatic to be able to increase our donation from last year,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “The assistance that we are able to provide has positively affected thousands of people in the area. Making these contributions is the most rewarding part of having a Champions Tour tournament in Southwest Florida.”

Tournament donations benefit thirteen area charities including educational institutions, human service agencies and health organizations working to aid individuals and their communities. The Northside Naples Kiwanis Foundation is the tournament’s host charity. The Education Foundation of Collier County and The First Tee of Naples/Collier County are the other main beneficiaries.

“Northside Naples Kiwanis Foundation is proud to be recognized as the official host charity of The ACE Group Classic and looks forward to a successful and prosperous future for both the tournament and the charitable causes supported by the foundation,” added Steve LeBlanc, The ACE Group Classic project manager for the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club.

“Our third year in partnership with The ACE Group Classic was a tremendous success,” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director of The First Tee of Naples/Collier. “The First Tee of Naples/Collier is grateful for the Tournament’s financial support, in addition to the promotional support of tournament staff and Champions Tour professionals. Their endorsement of our program will make a lasting impact on the youth of Naples.”

Other charities supported by the Tournament include the YMCA of the Palms, Susan G. Komen Southwest Florida chapter, American Red Cross of Collier, Alzheimer’s Support Network, Allie Dowd Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Florida, Children’s Museum of Naples, Von Leibig Art Center and The First Tee of Philadelphia.  The ACE Group Classic has a recognized tradition of charitable donation.  In the 23 years that the Champions Tour event has been in Naples, over $2.5 million has been donated to various initiatives with the ACE Group of Companies being the title sponsor since 1999.