In response to the flooding in the Midwest, the PGA Tour officially announced today the creation of the PGA Tour Flood Relief Fund to assist in relief efforts.

In recent weeks, a number of PGA Tour players have made personal contributions to the flood relief efforts in the Midwest. To further the endeavor, the PGA Tour Flood Relief Fund will channel raised funds to PGA Tour Charities, and those funds will then be subsequently re-directed to deserving relief organizations.

"As the scope of the devastation in America's Heartland reveals itself, many in the golf community have expressed a strong desire to provide assistance to those in the flood-ravaged areas," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

In addition to a financial donation of his own, Madison resident Jerry Kelly recently toured parts of the devastated area and has encouraged public support.

As part of the fund-raising efforts, the PGA Tour has created pgatour.com/floodrelief, a Web site where interested individuals and organizations can make donations. In addition, Tour members will also be provided the opportunity to donate any portion of their pro-am earnings, which will be matched by the PGA Tour. This aspect of the effort begins this week at the AT&T National, lasting through the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, the first week in September. The PGA Tour is also poised to match a percentage of all PGA Tour prize money donated by players.

For more information on the program and Kelly, see a previous story in the Wisconsin State Journal.... http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/other/293749