WXYZ DETROIT — It is much more than a world-class Detroit sports event. The Rocket Mortgage Classic is a game-changer for The Motor City, especially this year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no crowd of spectators on the course to cheer on the golfers. But that won’t dampen the excited applause from the community.
Why? Because it means a gradual return to professional sports and this year’s PGA golf tournament is 100-percent focused on its charitable initiative, appropriately called, “Changing the Course.” Nearly one in three families in Michigan’s largest city don’t have access to the internet or digital resources. So in partnership with the United Way and the City of Detroit, Rocket Mortgage Classic leaders Jay Farner and Jason Langwell have set a goal of closing the digital divide in Detroit by 2025.
Proceeds from this year’s Classic will help launch and support the new Connect 313 Fund. Wisely, its purpose is to invest in neighborhood technology, data collecting and digital literacy resources. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that the internet playing field is not even. Making Detroit a national digital model will be vital to the future of this region’s education, employment and healthcare.
WXYZ is proud to be the local media partner for the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for this important PGA tournament greatly benefiting Detroit.
I’m Mike Murri, V.P. & General Manager
Broadcast: July 2 - 5, 2020
