01
September
2015
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16:57 PM
America/New_York

Horizon BCBSNJ’s Healthy Steps Challenge raises an additional $6,000 for the NJ Golf Foundation with help from PGA TOUR golfer Morgan Hoffmann

Good health and a good cause paired up at The Barclays this past weekend, as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) donated $11,000 to the New Jersey Golf Foundation through its Healthy Steps Challenge. After making an initial $5,000 donation to the foundation at the start of The Barclays, Horizon BCBSNJ challenged PGA TOUR golfer and NJ native Morgan Hoffmann to add more by wearing a fitbit, pledging to add another $1,000 for every 10,000 steps Hoffmann logged during play at the Plainfield Country Club in Edison.After competing in every round of the tournament, Hoffmann recorded 62,000 steps, adding $6,000 to the original $5,000 charitable donation, and bringing Horizon BCBSNJ's total donation to $11,000."We would like to thank Morgan for giving back to his New Jersey roots while setting an example of how walking can contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle," said Jonathan R. Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon BCBSNJ.This was the sixth year of the collaboration between Horizon BCBSNJ and The Barclays. Horizon was on the course encouraging spectators to participate in a variety of health-related games and activities at its Health and Wellness Expo. This year, Horizon BCBSNJ was also the presenting sponsor of The Barclays Youth Day Golf Clinic. "Horizon's donation, combined with Morgan's efforts, will help us expand our youth programs so that even more children can participate," said Chris Hunt, Executive Director of the New Jersey Golf Foundation. "The support we receive from Horizon and Morgan Hoffmann helps us continue our commitment to impact the lives and communities of New Jersey through the game of golf."Through the PGA TOUR's charitable efforts, millions of dollars each year go back to communities where tour events like The Barclays are played, benefitting nearly 3,000 charities and countless individuals worldwide. In fact, last year PGA TOUR celebrated crossing the $2 billion mark in charitable giving since the organization was founded. About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.About the NJ Golf FoundationFounded in 2004, the NJGF is the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. With a focus on 3 core pillars (youth, military, special needs), the NJGF is committed to impacting lives and communities through the game of golf. Led by PGA Professionals, the NJGF hosts a dynamic line-up of programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience the game of golf. Signature programs include, Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 110,000 boys and girls (K-8), and PGA Junior League featuring more than 60 teams throughout New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njgolffoundation.com.About The BarclaysThe Barclays has been a part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1967 when Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event at Westchester Country Club. Since that time, some of the greatest players in the game have earned the title including World Golf Hall of Famers Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Seve Ballesteros, Hale Irwin and Curtis Strange. Many of the world's current top players have won the event as well, including two-time champions Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia; four-time champion Vijay Singh; Dustin Johnson; and 2013 champion Adam Scott. As the first of four playoff events, The Barclays plays a leading role in the FedExCup, the season-long competition that is the centerpiece of the PGA TOUR season.