SOUTH BEND, IN – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Four Winds Casinos announced that a donation of $100,000 was presented to Beacon Children’s Hospital during a check presentation ceremony at Four Winds South Bend. The donation is a result of the proceeds and private contributions from the 2021 Four Winds Invitational, which took place Aug. 13 – 15 at South Bend Country Club. The funds will be used for a Quad Cab NICU Transport, which will allow Beacon Children’s Hospital to safely transport premature infants as well as the entire Specialty Care Team. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Symetra Tour — Road to the LPGA, which was established in 2012 and features a field of professional women golfers from around the world.
“The Pokagon Band is very proud of our sponsorship of the Four Winds Invitational and the donations to Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital, which total $772,500 over the past 10 years,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We would like to thank everyone that supported the tournament including the LPGA Symetra Tour, South Bend Country Club and its members, our sponsors, volunteers, team members and vendors. Everyone’s collective efforts helped make this donation possible.”
“The 2021 Four Winds Invitational offered a $200,000 purse, which matches or exceeds most of the tournaments on the LPGA Symetra Tour,” said Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos. “To date we have offered over $1.1 million in prize money, making the Four Winds Invitational one of the most popular events on the LPGA Symetra Tour. We are extremely pleased that we were able to continue our partnership with the LPGA in 2021, as well as bring on a new partner, the South Bend Country Club.”
“We would like to thank the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos for their generous support over the years,” said Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services for Beacon Health System. “Receiving the proceeds from the Four Winds Invitational has not only helped us better serve children and families in the region, but also help us plan for the future in ways we can continue to improve our quality of care.”