Las Vegas Invitational benefits those in need

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 9:20 a.m.

In June of 1982, the Las Vegas Founders' Club was established as a non-profit corporation of citizens interested in bolstering, supporting and promoting the quality aspects of Las Vegas.

The primary function of the Founders' Club is to act as the governing body of the Las Vegas Invitational and the Las Vegas Senior Classic by TruGreen-ChemLawn. The Founders' Club also supports the American Junior Golf Association and the collegiate tournaments held in Las Vegas.

Due to the success of the tournaments, proceeds from the Las Vegas Senior Classic and the LVI go directly to the Las Vegas Founders' Golf Foundation, which provides contributions to worthy organizations. Since 1982, the Founders' Golf Foundation has donated more than $3 million to local charities. Beneficiaries include WestCare, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Community Services, Association for the Handicapped, the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Lied Discovery Children's Museum, Opportunity Village, Junior League of Las Vegas and many others.

The Las Vegas Founders' Club also is a proud supporter of the UNLV golf team. Since the Founders' Club began a scholarship fund for the team in 1987, the Rebels have gone from tenth place, last in the Big West Conference, to national prominence. In nine years, the UNLV golf team has claimed four Big West Championships and finished in second place on three occasions.

The program has produced 16 All-Americans and one NCAA individual national champion in Warren Schutte in 1991. UNLV also has won the NCAA West Regional Tournament in 1990, 1994 and 1997. In 1996, the Rebels finished second at the NCAA finals, narrowly missing their first national championship.

The Las Vegas Invitational is celebrating 14 years of supporting charitable organizations. The Founders' goal of giving something back is a way of thanking the Las Vegas community for its constant and continued support of the LVI and the Las Vegas Senior Classic.