Social Impact & Volunteering

PGA TOUR Golfer Ben Crane wins Zurich Charity Cup and a $30,000 donation to St. Bernard Project

Crane beats out six other PGA TOUR players by receiving more than 40,000 online "cheers"
Jun 28, 2012 8:45 PM ET
Campaign: Zurich Classic
pro-golfer and five-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Ben Crane, pictured with wife Heather Crane, is the title-holder of the first-ever Zurich Charity Cup, a nine-week fan voting and social media-based competition that gave spectators of the game of golf a way to play along with the pros and “cheer” for one of seven PGA TOUR golfers. Crane beat out the six other players who received a combined total of more than 100,000 “cheers” on the Zurich Charity Cup website, www.zurichcharitycup.com. Zurich, along with GOLF Magazine, will make a $30,000 donation in Crane’s name to St. Bernard Project, a New Orleans-based charity focused on rebuilding the homes and lives of Hurricane Katrina survivors.

(3BL Media) Schaumburg, IL - June 28, 2012 - Ben Crane, pro-golfer and five-time winner on the PGA TOUR is the title-holder of the first-ever Zurich Charity Cup, a nine-week fan voting and social media-based competition that gave spectators of the game of golf a way to play along with the pros and “cheer” for one of seven PGA TOUR golfers. Crane beat out the six other players who received a combined total of more than 100,000 “cheers” on the Zurich Charity Cup website, www.zurichcharitycup.com. Zurich, along with GOLF Magazine, will make a $30,000 donation in Crane’s name to St. Bernard Project, a New Orleans-based charity focused on rebuilding the homes and lives of Hurricane Katrina survivors.

“St. Bernard Project is thrilled to win the Zurich Charity Cup and will use the winnings to further our efforts in New Orleans,” said Zack Rosenburg, director of St. Bernard Project. “Americans impacted by disasters deserve to be able to rebuild their homes and lives. We have 130 home owners who cannot afford to rebuild their homes on our waiting list. That number keeps growing as we hear from ten new clients seeking help each week. These funds will also help us share our model and the knowledge we learned from Katrina with other communities in disaster-prone areas.”

“Heather and I are so excited we won the Zurich Charity Cup!” said Ben Crane, PGA TOUR golfer and champion of the Zurich Charity Cup. “Thank you to all my fans and the supporters of St. Bernard Project for making this possible. We couldn't have done it without you. St. Bernard Project is an amazing organization that continues to transform lives in New Orleans, and they will be able to continue their great work because of the Zurich Charity Cup. Thank you!”

Crane also expressed his excitement for the win and appreciation to his fans on the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. To watch the video and for more information about the charitable aspects of the Zurich Classic and Zurich’s commitment to golf, go to http://www.zurichna.com/zna/zurichgolf/golfoverview.htm.

Crane had fierce competition and played against the following golfers who supported the charity listed next to their name:

  • Keegan Bradley - Vermont Disaster Relief Fund
  • Luke Donald - The First Tee of Chicago
  • Rickie Fowler - The Rickie Fowler Foundation
  • Graeme McDowell - The G-Mac Foundation
  • Justin Rose - Blessings in a Backpack
  • Camilo Villegas - Give to Columbia

“Zurich has aligned with the seven pro golfers and the PGA TOUR because we share a commitment to making a sustainable impact in communities through charitable giving and volunteer engagement,” said Mike Foley, CEO North America Commercial for Zurich Insurance Group. “Many people may not know that shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit, Ben travelled to New Orleans to rebuild homes with St. Bernard Project. Ben and his wife Heather have been actively involved with St. Bernard for years.”

Since 2005, Zurich and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans – together with the Fore!Kids Foundation – has raised more than $9 million for over 40 charities that serve more than 200,000 children in need throughout southeastern Louisiana.

Zurich kicked off the Zurich Charity Cup at the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. During the tournament this year, Zurich recognized Crane and his wife Heather for helping make a difference throughout southeastern Louisiana and named them Zurich HelpPoint Heroes.  This is the second year Zurich has given the award to recognize those who are helping Zurich give back to the people of southeastern Louisiana and communities around the globe.

About Zurich
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurance provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well as other markets. For more information about the products and services it offers and people Zurich employs around the world, go to www.zurichna.com In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors. Life insurance offered in the United States is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company, an Illinois domestic life insurance company. 2012 marks Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees. Further information about Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America is available at http://www.zurichna.com/100.

Media contact:

Steve McKay
Media and Public Relations Director
Zurich in North America
Zurich American Insurance Company
Tower 1, Floor 11
1400 American Lane
Schaumburg, Illinois 60196
Email: steven.mckay@zurichna.com
Office: 847-706-2265
Cell: 847-738-0620