A tournament with purpose: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship supporting pediatric healthcare for 20 years

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship showcases the PGA Tour’s next generation of golf talent while also helping drive progress in pediatric healthcare. As the professionals compete in the official Finals event with potential PGA Tour status on the line, the tournament also serves to raise awareness and critical support for pediatric cancer research and treatment.

Nationwide has supported the championship as a founding partner since the tournament began in 2007. During that time, the event has generated nearly $33 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That commitment was again highlighted during the 20th championship at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course, where Sandy Scott earned his first Korn Ferry Tour title and rose to No. 2 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, assuring his PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season.

Tournament advances a philanthropic mission
“Competition is at the heart of this best-in-class event, but so is our commitment to making a difference for children and families,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide and president of Champions of the Community, the tournament’s host organization. “The visibility that comes with the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, and the opportunity to host at one of the nation’s premier collegiate courses, gives us a powerful platform to showcase the event’s philanthropic mission.”

The tournament brings that purpose to life through events like Pros Fore Patients, which connects Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champions and their families with Korn Ferry Tour professionals. During the event, the kids received instruction from players on the putting green and driving range. They also joined the golfers in preparing care packages for children currently receiving care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

In addition to participating in Pros Fore Patients, 18-year-old Reese Shirey took the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to kick off the tournament and received a $10,000 college scholarship from Nationwide. Reese returned to Scarlet on Sunday to take the Last Putt to Cure Cancer at the conclusion of the championship. Also on Sunday, five Patient Champions walked the final hole as Honorary Observers alongside the players.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital benefits children, families beyond Central Ohio
Though based in Columbus, the impact of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship reaches far beyond. Nationwide Children's leads the transformation of children’s health through nationally recognized clinical excellence, groundbreaking research and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children everywhere. The hospital has a staff of more than 17,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 2 million patient visits annually.

To learn more about one of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare systems, visit NationwideChildrens.org.