Jack Nicklaus, the greatest champion in golf history, is coming to Detroit Aug. 14 and 15 as a part of the Turning Point Invitational to help Cornerstone schools expand enrollment to 5,000 students.
Generous donations to the Invitational will now make additional gallery tickets possible for just $30.
TICKETS: Get them at www.TurningPoint2016.org
The one-day pro-am invitational, at the historic Country Club of Detroit Aug. 15, is sponsored by PwC and the Lear Corporation.
“We’re committed to the mission of Cornerstone Schools and we are grateful that so many people have stepped forward to raise funds to help more families in Michigan enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Mike Marcero, PwC Assurance Partner.
“The Turning Point Invitational is good for Detroit,” said Jason Cardew, Vice President of Finance, Lear Corporation. “It helps support more quality education for children in Detroit and brings great champions to our city for all of us to appreciate. What Jack Nicklaus has done over a 24-year career in golf reflects great discipline and hard work which are qualities important for success in life.”
The Turning Point Invitational begins with a dinner Aug. 14, sponsored by the Ford Motor Co., which will honor Jack Nicklaus, and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cornerstone Schools in Detroit.
“I am grateful to Ford Motor Co., Lear Corporation, PwC and all of those who have helped Cornerstone expand and celebrate our 25th anniversary while honoring Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer whoever played the game, in a way that also allows more people to join the gallery,” said Clark Durant, co-founder, of the Cornerstone Schools.
Seventeen other major champions will play in the Invitational including six Major winners on the PGA TOUR and seven winners of the Unites States Amateur. They are:
Mark O'Meara (1998 Masters and British Open, 1979 U.S. Amateur)
Fred Ridley (1975 U.S. Amateur)
Tom Lehman (1996 British Open, 2010 Senior PGA champion, two time Schwab Cup winner)
Olin Browne (2011 U.S. Senior Open, three PGA TOUR victories)
Nathaniel Crosby (1981 U.S. Amateur champion, son of Bing Crosby.)
Jerry Pate (1976 U.S. Open, 1974 U.S. Amateur)
John Harris (1993 U.S. Amateur)
William McGirt (Current champion of the Jack Nicklaus Memorial championship)
Andy Bean (11 PGA TOUR victories)
Ryan Lenahan (Youngest in field, holds course record of 63 at CCD)
Bruce Fleisher (1968 US Amateur, 2001 US Senior Open)
Joe Inman (Two wins on PGATOUR, One on Champions)
Gary Hallberg (One of four people to win on all three tours)
Scott McCarron (Three victories on PGA Tour, One on Champions, 2nd place in recent Senior Open in Great Britain)
Gary Koch (10 PGA Tour victories)
Larry Nelson (Three Majors: One US Open and two PGA championships; won 10 times on PGATour; 19 times on Champions Tour)
Esteban Toledo (Four-time winner on Champions Tour, former boxer from Mexico).
The Invitational is being held concurrent to the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills—30 years after Nicklaus’ final major championship victory at the 1986 Masters and 55 years removed from his second and final U.S. Amateur title. Nicklaus, known as the “Golden Bear,” is widely regarded as the greatest champion in golf history, winning 120 professional tournaments worldwide, including the record 18 majors.
“Most of the charitable efforts my wife Barbara and I have been involved in over the decades have focused on children, and securing them a happier today and brighter tomorrow,” Nicklaus said. “That is at the foundation of Cornerstone’s mission and ongoing efforts. So I am honored to join such a likeminded group and delighted to come to Detroit to be a part of an event that will help provide quality education for up to 5,000 children in Detroit. I applaud the work Cornerstone has done to educate so many deserving children.”
Twenty-five years ago, Cornerstone Schools opened its doors to 167 students. Today Cornerstone serves 2,800 students in Detroit through one K-12 private ISACS accredited school, four Grand Valley State University authorized charter schools; three K-8s and one charter high school.
The invitational was started in 2004 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s victory in the 1954 U.S. Amateur Championship, played at the Country Club of Detroit. Since its inception, the event has raised $15 million. This year they are hoping to raise $3 million. The name of the invitational stems from Palmer’s first meeting with event co-founders Durant and the late Harold ‘Red” Poling, the former CEO of the Ford Motor Co. Palmer said his 1954 U.S. Amateur victory was the “turning point” in his life, and he wanted the event to help create turning points in the lives of the children at Cornerstone.
“We are grateful for the tremendous generosity shown by Mr. Nicklaus, our donors and the other champions who are donating their time to help children in Detroit," Durant said. “Jack Nicklaus is a living legend who gave us one of the greatest sports moments of all time during the ’86 Masters, when he made the turn to shoot a 30 on the back nine to put the exclamation point on his incredible championship career. We’re honored to have him.”
For general information, or to purchase a ticket, go to www.turningpoint2016.org.
About Cornerstone Schools
The Cornerstone Schools serve more than 2,800 children in preschool through 12th grade in one independent and four charter schools. Their 25-year history of continued success in Detroit makes them a model for urban education across the nation. Character development, measured outcomes, a rigorous academic curriculum, small class sizes, uniforms, a safe school environment and the proven benefits of an 11-month school year are just a few of the aspects that will create a Cornerstone-quality education. For more information, visit www.cornerstoneschools.org.
About the Turning Point Invitational
The first Turning Point Invitational in 2004 brought 28 past U.S. Amateur champions together, including Arnold Palmer, and raised over $5 million for Cornerstone Schools. The Turning Point Invitational allows Cornerstone Schools to provide a world-class education and invest in the future of Detroit children. The 13th annual TPI again offers opportunities for businesses and individuals to invest in Detroit education. Since 2004, the Turning Point Invitational has raised more than $15 million for Cornerstone Schools. For more information visit www.turningpoint2016.org.