Michael Dell says PGA event benefits Austin charities

AUSTIN, Texas — The top 50 golfers in the world just rolled into Austin for the PGA’s #DellTechnologies Match Play event at Austin Country Club.

“Close to a billion people around the world will watch this tournament,” Dell Technologies founder and CEO #MichaelDell said. “And it’s a thrill to see these world class athletes in their element.”

But for Dell, he says it’s much more than a golf tournament. He says it’s a chance to showcase Austin.

“We’re really excited to have this tournament here in Austin,” Dell said. “This is the second consecutive year and it’s totally sold out. The reaction from the community has been tremendous.”

Dell says the Austin community will be one of the big winners at this tournament with a focus on local charities.

“When we thought about getting involved in this we wanted to be involved in something that had a charitable component,” Dell said.

Dell says five charities will benefit from the tournament proceeds.

First, he wants to help meet the needs of children in Austin with money going to the Helping Hand Home, a safe haven for children who have been abused and neglected. Money will also be directed to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin and the First Tee Program for kids.

“We love the youth and education focus,” Dell said.

Money will also go to Keep Austin Beautiful and the Austin Parks Foundation to improve, develop and maintain more than 300 parks, trails and green spaces.

“It’s a great chance for us to give back again to the wonderful Austin community that has been home to Dell for the past 33 years,” Dell said.

He also says he wanted to only showcase and support Austin’s unique food vendors instead of having generic concession stands.

“It’s just another special thing that we have here in our community,” Dell said. “We wanted this to be very much of an Austin tournament.”

Dell says his love for Austin is no secret and when it comes to golf and his game he wanted to make one thing perfectly clear.

“I would say I’m more of fan than a golfer,” Dell said. “I may be known some things but golfing is not one of them.”

http://keyetv.com/news/local/michael-dell-hosts-pgas-dell-technologies-match-play