Watson announces $10,000 donation to Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides college scholarships to deserving high school caddies, at event

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- PGA TOUR pro Bubba Watson, the TOUR's leader in average distance per drive, today welcomed the BMW Championship to St. Louis by attempting to drive a golf ball over the Mississippi River -- ceremonially kicking off the BMW Championship. Unfortunately, in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch, Watson's 560-yard shot-attempt fell short and landed in the Mighty Mississippi as Rams Wide Receiver Dane Looker and Punter Donnie Jones -- who both also attempted to drive the ball to Illinois -- looked on.

The BMW Championship, the third leg in the PGA TOUR's Playoffs for the FedExCup, will take place at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis from September 2-7th. BMW offered to donate an Evans Scholarship in the name of each athlete able to succeed at the feat. Evans Scholarships are awarded to deserving high school caddies and provide full tuition and housing grants. Despite not clearing the river, Watson, who is passionate supporter of the Evans Scholars, announced that he will donate $10,000 to the Foundation.

Since its founding in 1930, the Evans Scholars Foundation has provided more than 8,600 Evans Scholarships to golf caddies across the U.S. BMW donates all proceeds of the BMW Championship to the Evans Scholars Foundation. Last year, those proceeds totaled $2.4 million.

"We congratulate Bubba Watson on attempting to make such a dramatic shot -- and thank him for helping us ceremonially kick-off what we are sure is going to be a great BMW Championship," said Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America.

Last year the PGA TOUR and the Western Golf Association announced that starting in 2008, the BMW Championship would travel to some of the premiere golf courses in the Midwest every other year. After this year's BMW Championship in St. Louis the tournament will return to Chicago in 2009 and every second year thereafter. The tournament will be played in Indianapolis at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in 2010 and at a yet to be determined location in 2012.