The Century Club of San Diego
Encyclopedia
The Century Club of San Diego is a San Diego-based charitable organization, established in July 1961. They are the organizers of the annual Buick Invitational golf tournament
, now the Farmers Insurance Open, an annual PGA tour
event at Torrey Pines Golf Course
in San Diego solely for charitable purposes. The proceeds of the Buick Invitational often go to the Monarch School, although in 2011 they reported to have donated over $1.3 million to over 200 charities.The Century Club are also major fundraisers of the San Diego County Junior Golf Association, investing in San Diego golf education.
The club has its origins in the organizers of the San Diego Open
who were looking to broaden their support base beyond corporate sponsors San Diego County Chevrolet Dealers Association and Convair
. Frank Alessio and Andy Williams
collaborated and established the Andy Williams San Diego Open in late 1967-early 1968. In 1983 Isuzu Motors began sponsoring the tournament and from 1986-1991, Shearson Lehman Brothers were the sponsors. In 1992, Buick Motor Division became the official sponsor of the tournament until 2009 when the Farmers Insurance Group became its official sponsor. As of November 2011, The Century Club of San Diego has 56 Active members, 9 Provisional members, 8 Associate members and 28 Honorary Members.
Buick Invitational
The Farmers Insurance Open is a PGA Tour professional golf tournament played in the San Diego, California area in the early part of the Tour season, known as the "West Coast Swing." The tournament was noted for having singer-actor Andy Williams as a celebrity host from 1968 to 1988. The tournament...
, now the Farmers Insurance Open, an annual PGA tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
event at Torrey Pines Golf Course
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Torrey Pines Golf Course is a municipal public golf course owned by the city of San Diego, California. It sits on the coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the community of La Jolla south of Torrey Pines State Reserve. It has two famous golf courses, the North Course and the South Course....
in San Diego solely for charitable purposes. The proceeds of the Buick Invitational often go to the Monarch School, although in 2011 they reported to have donated over $1.3 million to over 200 charities.The Century Club are also major fundraisers of the San Diego County Junior Golf Association, investing in San Diego golf education.
The club has its origins in the organizers of the San Diego Open
San Diego Open
There are three sporting events named the San Diego Open:*San Diego Open is a PGA Tour professional golf tournament played in the La Jolla, San Diego, California, United States...
who were looking to broaden their support base beyond corporate sponsors San Diego County Chevrolet Dealers Association and Convair
Convair
Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102...
. Frank Alessio and Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
collaborated and established the Andy Williams San Diego Open in late 1967-early 1968. In 1983 Isuzu Motors began sponsoring the tournament and from 1986-1991, Shearson Lehman Brothers were the sponsors. In 1992, Buick Motor Division became the official sponsor of the tournament until 2009 when the Farmers Insurance Group became its official sponsor. As of November 2011, The Century Club of San Diego has 56 Active members, 9 Provisional members, 8 Associate members and 28 Honorary Members.