GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- The Buick Open, Michigan's only PGA Tour event, announced that it has donated a record $764,000 to Southeastern Michigan charities from proceeds raised through the 2005 tournament. Held annually at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, the Buick Open has raised nearly eight million dollars for area charities since 1982.

"Golf gives us a great opportunity to give back and be a part of the communities in our tournament markets," said Steve Shannon, Buick general manager. "We are very pleased to be able to continue this tradition of giving to the many worthy organizations who provide badly needed programs and services for so many people." The previous record donation to the Buick Open charities was $740,000. Through its PGA Tour events, Buick has donated more than $33 million to charities since 1982.

Among the charities who received donations from the 2005 Buick Open are Easter Seals of Michigan, which raises additional funds through the sale of Buick Open tickets; the American Red Cross Genesee-Lapeer Chapter, which provides transportation services for the tournament; Whaley Children's Center, which handles the "will-call" booth at the tournament; and the Genesee County regional office of the American Lung Association of Michigan, which provides volunteers to operate the Buick Open telephone center. Other beneficiaries of the Buick Open charity donations are the Children's Home of Detroit, the Boy Scouts and several others.

Buick also announced today that the purse for the 2006 Buick Open, scheduled for July 31-Aug. 6 at Warwick Hills, will be a record $4.8 million. The defending champion is Vijay Singh, who became only the second player in tournament history to successfully defend his Buick Open title.

For Buick Open tickets or information call 1 (800) 878 OPEN or go to www.buickopen.pgatour.com.