Touchstone Energy Open Brings Future PGA Stars, Tourists to Eastern N.C.

Ronald McDonald House to Benefit

GREENVILLE, N.C., April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 150 golfers will tee off this week at the Touchstone Energy Open at Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, N.C. Players will compete for a first-place purse of $25,000 at the 72-hole tournament sponsored by North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives. This event is a major stop on the National Golf Association (NGA) Hooters Tour, a developmental tour for future PGA players. The tournament, now in its fifth year, brings many spectators and tourists to the eastern part of the state -- a boost for the local economy.

The Ronald McDonald House of eastern North Carolina will benefit from tournament proceeds. Located near Eastern Carolina's Children's Hospital, the home gives families a place to eat, sleep, relax, and support and comfort loved ones undergoing extensive medical treatment.

"Raising money for the Ronald McDonald House through the Touchstone Energy Open is a great partnership for the 850,000 members of the state's electric cooperatives and is consistent with the core Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community," said Jane Pritchard, director of corporate communications for North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives.

The NGA Hooters Tour is the third largest professional golf circuit in the United States.

North Carolina's electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties.

SOURCE North Carolina's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives