Century Club Charities, the non-profit host of the tournament, presented a record $1.2 million donation to Friends of Children’s Hospital on Friday. The gift this year will be used to fund the non-profit’s $20 million pledge for the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi. This is a philanthropic effort of University of Mississippi Medical Center. Fundraising will fund the construction of a 7-story, 340,000-square foot pediatric tower located adjacent to Batson Children’s Hospital. The tower will house 88 private neonatal intensive-care rooms, 10 more operating rooms, additional pediatric intensive care space, and a new lobby. The new building will also be home to the Children’s Heart Center. This is the Medical Center’s pediatric cardiology program. Sidney Allen (chairman of Friends of Children’s Hospital), stated that the tournament’s contribution was “incredible” and will allow Friends to take a significant step towards achieving the goal of the capital campaign. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice-chancellor for health affairs, and dean of School of Medicine, stated that Children’s of Mississippi’s growth will be transformative. Our new tower for children will complement the extraordinary skills of our doctors and staff, and provide the technology and environment needed to give our children the best possible care. This project will strengthen UMMC’s mission of educating the next generation in physicians and innovation through the research. Jeff Hubbard was also beaming. Hubbard stated that Sanderson Farms was our title sponsor, which allows us to give our primary donation towards Friends of Children’s Hospital as well as other donations to Mississippi charities. Mississippi’s only annual stop is the $4.3 million Sanderson Farms Championship. Friends of Children’s Hospital is the tournament’s primary beneficiary. Since 1968, the tournament has been a part of PGA TOUR’s schedule. Title sponsor is Sanderson Farms, which is the third-largest poultry producer in the country and is based in Laurel. It looked like the tournament was doomed until Joe Sanderson (CEO of Sanderson Farms) saved it by becoming the title sponsors in 2013. Sanderson stated Friday that Sanderson Farms has grown prouder each year it is involved in this event. This year is no exception. This is due to the community support, sponsors and volunteers that this event has been a huge success. We are proud of all the money raised and the positive impact this will have on the lives of those who participate.” The 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship will take place at Country Club of Jackson, Oct. 22-28.