Written by Sarah Stubbs

As a member of the Shell Houston Open PR team, I had heard a lot about the charity money raised by the tournament and the Houston Golf Association’s related activities – to the tune of $48 million since 1992, when Shell Oil Company became the title sponsor.  Last month, I had the privilege of accompanying Jesse Saldivar, Sr. Advisor, US Business Affairs at Shell Oil Company, to the Boys & Girls Harbor and The Chinquapin School—two of the Shell Houston Open’s six core charities—to get a first-hand look at the incredible work they do. It is one thing to hear and read about an organization, but it is another to witness its impact in person.

At the Boys & Girls Harbor we toured the houses and the classrooms. We got to see the children interact and play — two things that we think all kids get to do, when unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. These children didn’t have the privilege of growing up in a secure, safe home with a nurturing family, but the Boys & Girls Harbor provides that environment for them.

Afterwards, we visited The Chinquapin School and had the opportunity to visit the classrooms and witness students who were not only excited, but grateful for the chance to learn. Their smiles were contagious, and I left there inspired by their attitudes.

On the drive back to Houston, long moments of silence settled in between casual conversation. I knew that in those moments we were thinking about all we had seen and learned, and how much these two organizations do to empower and enrich the lives of our youth.

I was so moved by what I saw that I am now talking to the Boys & Girls Harbor about volunteering. Seeing what these kids have experienced makes me appreciate the abundance I had growing up, and now I want to share that.

I’m now more excited than ever to attend the 2010 Shell Houston Open, knowing that it raises money for so many deserving organizations. If you would like to learn more about the Shell Houston Open core charities, please visit www.shellhoustonopen.com .

A pair of 2009 major championship winners have committed to play in next month’s Shell Houston Open PGA TOUR event. Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina and U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover will join a world class field at Redstone Golf Club – Tournament Course.

International stars Lee Westwood of England (No. 4 in the World Golf Rankings) and Rory McIlroy of Ireland (No. 9) will join defending champion Paul Casey (No. 6) the week of March 29-April 4. The Shell Houston Open falls the week before The Masters Tournament. Cabrera is No. 29 and Glover is No. 25.

“Having two current major championship winners in our field is a positive sign about things to come,” said SHO Tournament Director Steve Timms, who also serves as president/CEO of the Houston Golf Association.

Cabrera, who won the 2007 U.S. Open Championship at famed Oakmont, beat Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry in a gritty Masters playoff at Augusta National last year. The 39-year-old Argentine boasts 17 other international tournament victories.

Glover earned his first major at the 2009 U.S. Open, played at Bethpage Black. In demanding, pressure-packed playing conditions the 30-year-old Glover held off Ricky Barnes, David Duval and Phil Mickelson down the stretch in that USGA national championship. Later in 2009 Glover won the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which pits major championship winners in a unique two-day format.

Both Cabrera and Glover have Houston connections. Cabrera is coached by local teaching professional Charlie Epps. Glover took lessons from the late Dick Harmon, for whom The First Tee of Greater Houston Learning Center is named at Redstone Golf Club.

Competitors have until March 26 to commit or withdraw from the Shell Houston Open.

ESPN sportscasters Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic again teamed with the Houston Golf Association and the Shell Houston Open PGA TOUR event to generate a hefty donation for the V-Foundation for Cancer Research.

The Mike and Mike in the Morning co-hosts will play in the Shell Houston Open Grand Pro-Am on March 31, immediately after concluding their live show from the tournament. Lew Peters and his wife Pauline of Lowell, MA were the high bidders Wednesday in an action-packed one-hour live auction. They bid $28,500 to tee it up with Greeny, Golic and defending U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover.

Shell Oil Company kicked in another $20,000 to make the total contribution $48,500, which is $1,000 more than last year’s auction generated. In addition to playing in the pro-am Peters and his wife will receive airfare, hotel accommodations and VIP treatment Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of tournament week.

Mike and Mike in the Morning will be aired from 5-9 AM Central from the Champions Pavilion, located adjacent to the 18th fairway of Redstone Golf Club – Tournament Course. Houston Golf Association will provide the duo hitting nets so they can warm up during station breaks. Immediately after the show, carried on ESPN Radio/ESPN 2 on cable/satellite TV, the duo will be whisked away to join Glover and the Peters on the first tee.

Since HGA is covering all of the expenses for the Peters, the entire $48,500 will go toward cancer research. Last year PGA TOUR player Ben Curtis, a former British Open champion, played with Mike and Mike. This promotion earned the HGA an award from the PGA TOUR as the Best New Tournament Week Promotion of 2009.

On February 22, defending Shell Houston Open champion Paul Casey made national headlines when he and his wife Jocelyn donated $100,000 to local Houston charity. Known for its commitment to making a difference in the community, the Houston Golf Association has generated $48.7 million for worthy causes since Shell Oil Company became title sponsor in 1992.

Two playing positions in the Shell Houston Open Grand Pro-Am will be auctioned off today (Wednesday, March 3) between 8-9 AM (Central) on the Mike & Mike in the Morning Show.

Hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, who will broadcast live from the Shell Houston Open on March 31, will be promoting the auction today on their show. Simulcast on ESPN2 television, the syndicated ESPN Radio show is carried locally by ESPN 97.5 The Ticket (KFNC-FM). The show airs from 5 - 9AM (Central Daylight Time).

Once again there will be a charitable component to the appearance. Funds raised by the Houston Golf Association in today’s special auction will benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Upon concluding their show on April 1 Greenberg and Golic are scheduled to play with the high bidder and a guest in the Shell Houston Open Wednesday Grand Pro-Am on the Redstone Golf Club – Tournament Course. The PGA TOUR professional who will play with the group will be announced during the auction today.

In 2009 the event generated $47,500 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Frank Thomas of Tennessee was the top bidder. He elected to have his sons Stephen and  Allen play in the group that included PGA Tour professional Ben Curtis, a former British Open champion.

Defending  champion Paul Casey returned for Shell Houston Open media day and announced that he and his wife Jocelyn are making a $100,000 donation to local charity through the Houston Golf Association .

“This is something Jocelyn and I feel very strongly about,” Casey told media members on hand at the Dick Harmon Learning Center, which doubles as the Media Center during the Shell Houston Open.

The Caseys have worked with HGA President/CEO Steve Timms to determine the recipients of the funding. Timms indicated an announcement is scheduled for March 30 when the Englishman returns to defend his title at the 2010 Shell Houston Open, set March 29-April 4 at Redstone Golf Club  – Tournament Course.

Currently No. 6 in the World Golf Rankings, Casey promised to make a donation to local charity during trophy presentation ceremonies on the 18^th green last spring. Winner of 10 international events and a World Cup Championship, Casey made the 2009 Shell Houston Open his first PGA TOUR triumph, defeating J. B. Holmes on the first hole in a playoff.

“When Paul recently informed us of the amount of the donation you can imagine how excited we got,” said Timms. “This is a wonderful announcement to make in the run-up to the Shell Houston Open.”

The Houston Golf Association, a 501c (3) non-profit, has generated  more than $53.7 million for local charity since 1974, and  $48.7 million of that has come since Shell Oil Company became title sponsor in 1992.

Casey was runner-up in the Accenture Match Play WGC event played this weekend in Arizona.

For a second straight year the Mike and Mike in the Morning  national sports talk show will be broadcasting live from the Shell Houston Open PGA TOUR event.

Hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic will be doing their show live from the Champions Pavilion, adjacent to the 18th hole at the Redstone Golf Club –Tournament Course. Simulcast on ESPN2 television, the syndicated ESPN Radio show is carried locally by ESPN 97.5 The Ticket (KFNC-FM). The show will air from 5 - 9AM (Central Daylight Time).

Once again there will be a charitable component to the appearance. In keeping with the Shell Houston Open’s commitment to community support, funds raised by the Houston Golf Association in a special auction set for March 3 in the final hour of the Mike and Mike in the Morning show will benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Upon concluding their show Greenberg and Golic are scheduled to play in the Shell Houston Open Wednesday Grand Pro-Am on the Redstone Golf Club – Tournament Course. They will be joined by the top bidder and his/her invited guest, who claimed the playing spots in the group in this national charity auction.

In 2009 the event generated $47,500 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Frank Thomas of Tennessee was the top bidder. He elected to have his sons Stephen and  Allen play in the group that included PGA Tour professional Ben Curtis, a former British Open champion.

The Shell Houston Open was recognized by the PGA TOUR at its annual meeting with tournament organizers for the best new promotional event for 2009.

The Shell Houston Open and Houston Golf Association are providing roundtrip airfare to Houston for two, hotel accommodations for Tuesday and Wednesday, plus the pro-am spots and VIP tickets to the tournament for Thursday. This special Shell Houston Open package will be promoted on  upcoming Mike and Mike in the Morning programs leading up to the March 3 one-hour (between 8 and 9 AM CDT, 9-10 AM ET) open bidding via a toll-free telephone number.

Champions Pavilion Tickets are available on-line at www.shellhoustonopen.com and may be purchased with a major credit card. ESPN 97.5 The Ticket will be giving tickets away on air prior to the event.

The latest World Golf Rankings show a trio of Shell Houston Open committed players in the Top 10.

Lee Westwood of England remained No. 4. Rory McIlroy of Ireland climbed from No. 9 to No. 7. Defending Shell Houston Open champion Paul Casey, is now No. 8. All three are on the early commitment list for the Shell Houston Open, set April 1-4 at Redstone Golf Club — Tournament Course.

Casey is scheduled to return to Houston on Feb. 22 to meet with local media at Redstone Golf Club.

International stars Lee Westwod of England and Rory McIlroy of Ireland will join defending champion Paul Casey at the 2010 Shell Houston Open.

Westwood is No. 4, McIlroy is No. 9 and Casey is No. 7 in the latest World Golf Rankings. The Shell Houston Open is set April 1-4 at Redstone Golf Club — Tournament Course.

Click here for more detals

When Bill Haas won the Bob Hope Classic he joined his father Jay, the 1987 Shell Houston Open winner, as a PGA TOUR winner.

PGA TOUR network broadcaster Dennis Paulson actually predicted that Haas would win in Sunday’s wrapup before the Monday finish.

To date eight father-son combos have entered the victory circle, including Houston’s Jack Burke Sr. and his World Golf Hall of Fame son Jack Burke Jr. The other father-son duos: Al Geiberger-Brent Geiberger, Julius Boros-Guy Boros, Clayton Heafner-Vance Heafner, Joe Kirkwood Sr.-Joe Kirkwood Jr., Willie Park Sr.-Willie Park Jr., and Old Tom Morris-Young Tom Morris.

Gary Nicklaus nearly joined his Hall of Fame father Jack in 2000, finishing second to Phil Mickelson in a playoff at the BellSouth Classic. BTW: Craig and Kevin Stadler both have victories on the European Tour.

2009 SHO winner Paul Casey

This week’s European Tour event — The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship — has attracted 6 of the Top 10 players in the World Golf Rankings, all of whom played in the 2009 Shell Houston Open.

English-born Paul Casey, 2009 SHO winner, is No. 8 and will be defending his title this week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Other top-10 ranked 2009 Shell Houston Open competitors in the field include England’s Lee Westwood (4), Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (6), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (7), Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy (9) and Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (10).

Casey made his 2010 debut at the PGA TOUR’s SBS Open in Hawaii, where he posted a T10. Last year Casey suffered a rib injury at the Bridgestone WGC event and was shelved until November.