2023 Boeing Classic Supports the Advancement of Immunology Research

Aug. 3, 2023

The 18^th Annual Boeing Classic tees off tournament week on Monday with a full schedule of daily events for fans from August 7-13 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. Single day tickets start at just $20 in advance and $25 at the gate.

“As a founding partner of the Boeing Classic, alongside the Seattle Seahawks, we are pleased to bring the community and our partners together at the tournament again this year,” said Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Division President, Pacific Northwest CommonSpirit. “The proceeds from this event support the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in advancing cutting-edge research to predict, prevent, reverse and cure diseases that involve the immune system, such as type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. BRI is instrumental in applying discoveries made in one disease to improve health for all. Thank you to our partners and all who attend this annual event who have helped us raise over $8.5 million for BRI to date.”

Tournament week begins with a fan favorite, the Seahawks Rumble at the Ridge. Fans can watch Seahawk greats and legends from Seattle sports play for bragging rights. Patients and researchers with Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the beneficiary of the event, will also be in attendance. This includes Dr. Alice Long, PhD, a dedicated researcher leading transformative research in the field of type 1 diabetes at BRI, as well as local teens Sarah Lawrence and Kristen Jasper. Sarah and Kristen are participants in the DREAMT study, which aims to identify markers that can predict how effective a particular therapy may be in people with type 1 diabetes.

“Philanthropy plays a crucial role in BRI’s work: It allows us to test innovative ideas. It helps us bring scientists and bioinformaticians together to tackle challenges using the latest in immunology and data science. It funds state-of-the-art research using samples from real people — accelerating the pace from lab experiment to life-changing discovery,” stated Jane Buckner, MD, president of Benaroya Research Institute. “We are so grateful for Boeing, the PGA Tour and all of the community members who support the Boeing Classic. Your support brings us closer to achieving our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone.”

The remainder of the week leading up to the official tournament includes the Boeing Classic Youth Clinic on Tuesday – a free half-hour of instruction and inspiration hosted by PGA TOUR Champions pro Notah Begay III – and the Korean Air Official Pro-Ams on Wednesday and Thursday, with pros and amateurs playing Snoqualmie Ridge together.

The Boeing Classic takes center stage on Friday with Qatar Airways Opening Day. Pageantry and presentation will entertain the fans as the Opening Ceremony, and the always-anticipated Boeing Jet Flyover, leads into the first tee shot of competition.

In addition to the second round, Saturday will see The First Tee Seattle Putting Championship conducted on the putting green. The day will conclude with the official Volunteer Party presented by Alaska Airlines, celebrating the over 500 volunteers who have dedicated their time to make the Boeing Classic one of the favorite stops on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule.

And on Sunday, the champion will be crowned at the conclusion of play. The Boeing Flyover will lead into the official trophy ceremony on the 18^th green, bringing a close to the 2023 Boeing Classic.

Visit www.BoeingClassic.com for more information, including updated spectator information and schedule of events. Connect with the tournament on social media at facebook.com/BoeingClassic, on X @BoeingClassicWA and on Instagram @boeingclassic.

Spectator Schedule of Events

All events and times are Pacific and subject to change

Monday, August 7

6:30am - Gates Open
8:30am - Seahawks Rumble at the Ridge
2:00pm - PGA TOUR Champions Practice Rounds

Tuesday, August 8

9:00am - Gates Open
12:00pm - Boeing Classic Youth Clinic
All Day - PGA TOUR Champions Practice Rounds

Wednesday, August 9

7:00am - Gates Open
7:00am - Korean Air Pro-Am Morning Day One
12:20pm - Korean Air Pro-Am Afternoon Day One

Thursday, August 10

7:00am - Gates Open
7:00am - Korean Air Pro-Am Morning Day Two
12:20pm - Korean Air Pro-Am Afternoon Day Two

Friday, August 11

9:00am - Gates Open
11:00am - Qatar Airways Opening Day
11:15am - Boeing Jet Flyover
11:30am - Boeing Classic Round 1

Saturday, August 12

8:00am - Gates Open
10:00am - Boeing Classic Round 2
2:00pm - The First Tee Seattle Putting Championship
5:00pm - Volunteer Party presented by Alaska Airlines

Sunday, August 13
Military Appreciation Day presented by Boeing

8:00am - Gates Open
9:00am - Boeing Classic Championship Round
4:00pm - Boeing Jet Flyover
Immediately after play - Trophy Ceremony

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About the Boeing Classic

The Boeing Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions event, was founded in 2005 by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the Seattle Seahawks. The beneficiary of the tournament is the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. This annual event celebrates the researchers and patients who benefit from the advances made possible, in part, by the tournament. It also recognizes the committed partners who contribute to this important cause.

About Benaroya Research Institute (BRI)

As the primary beneficiary of the Boeing Classic, BRI uses the proceeds to advance cutting-edge research to predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases, like type 1 diabetes (T1D), lupus, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and COVID-19, and applying discoveries made in one disease to improve health for all. BRI recently played a significant role in developing a therapy to delay disease onset, for two years or more, for people at high risk of developing T1D. Now, we can definitively state that detection is feasible – and prevention is possible. BRI is actively working to apply this advancement to other autoimmune diseases. BRI is part of an integrated health system, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), which serves the Pacific Northwest.

About the Club at Snoqualmie Ridge

The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and originally opened in 1999, was voted the "Most Beautiful Clubhouse" in Washington state by Architectural Digest in 2018 for its "craftsman-inspired decor...and expansive windows." The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge's par-72, 7,264-yard championship layout sits at the base of the Cascade Mountains and is renowned for its stunning terrain and amazing wildlife, which includes an eagle sanctuary on the 14th hole.

About Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, offering access to some of the country’s most prestigious experts and hospitals that are internationally known for superior quality. With a team of 18,000 team members, including nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers, we unite the brightest health care minds in the region to provide world-class clinical excellence at 10 hospitals and nearly 300 sites of care throughout the Puget Sound area. We are proud to be the home of Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research. We embrace our community’s uniquely vibrant, active culture by providing holistic, personalized and patient-centered care. We are committed to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities, especially the poor and underserved, providing more than $300 million in community benefit – free, subsidized, and reduced cost health care and programs. Learn more at www.vmfh.org.