Tournament officials, the 3M Championship and the tournament’s title sponsor, the 3M Corporation, are committed to supporting local efforts related to the bridge tragedy that has impacted the Twin Cities community.

Tournament organizers will conduct the 3M Championship Champions Tour event at the TPC in Blaine, as scheduled beginning tomorrow (Friday Aug. 3) through Sunday, Aug. 5 with 78 Champions Tour professionals competing over 54 holes.

As part of the support, the 3M Championship announced today it will be donating additional funds to the local Red Cross over and above the charity dollars already earmarked for Abbott Northwestern, United, Mercy and Unity Hospitals.

“The Champions Tour is about giving back to the communities we serve and our players and staff felt the best way to honor and help those affected by this terrible tragedy is to ensure that our players could assist in supporting local efforts by playing this long standing event that has such a strong charitable history in the Twin Cities area,” said Champions Tour President Rick George.

“By playing as scheduled, we allow the tournament’s revenue streams of the pro-am being played today and the official competition over the weekend to continue, which will ensure charitable dollars already earmarked will be available.”

Bob MacDonald, senior vice president of sales and marketing, 3M said, “Our thoughts today are with all those affected by the tragic bridge collapse.

“3M Championship charitable contributions this year are directed at emergency services.

“In addition, the 3M Foundation and 3M employees will make contributions to the local American Red Cross chapter.”

The 3M Championship has annually raised millions of dollars for local hospitals since 1993, according to 3M Championship Executive Director Hollis Cavner.

“We will continue to do that this year and in the future,” Cavner said.

“In the wake of the recent tragedy in our community, we will additionally raise money for the Minnesota Red Cross through on-site efforts this weekend with support from the tournament, the players and the Champions Tour.”

The first round of tournament is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. for the 54-hole competition.