Masters raises big money for
charities every year

The organisers of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club don't get much favourable publicity but it's not generally known, certainly not on this side of the Atlantic, that millions of dollars raised by the first Major of the season are passed on to charities.
From the 2008 Masters approximately $3.4 million was donated to charities, including the Community Foundation of Augusta and the First Tee program.
For the first time, employees at Augusta National were able to designate $1,000 each to local organisations of their choice. That money was part of the $3.4 million donated this year and $35.8 million donated in the last 11 years.
"Our employees are an integral part of this organication and they are committed to this community," Masters and Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne said. "This new initiative recognizes their hard work and dedication and I'm certain the money will be donated wisely."
The Community Foundation received a gift of $1.25 million. The First Tee youth development program recieved $1 million, bringing total Masters contributions to the program since 1998 to $22 million.