2026 Cognizant Classic Birdies for Charity
2026 Cognizant Classic Birdies for Charity

About 2026 Cognizant Classic Birdies for Charity


The Birdies for Charity program provides nonprofits with the opportunity to utilize the excitement of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches to raise funds for their cause. Charitable organizations are encouraged to invite their supporters to make a minimum $20 contribution that will allow them to guess the number of birdies* that will be made during the competitive rounds of the Cognizant Classic (February 26 - March 1, 2026). An individual who guesses the exact number of birdies (or closest to without going over) will have the chance to win a grand prize of $10,000. 

The winner may choose to keep the prize or donate it to a participating charity of their choice, amplifying the impact of their support.

Participating charities will receive 100% of every donation collected for their organization, as well as a portion of funds from a bonus pool of $100,000 provided by the Cognizant Classic.

*A birdie is one stroke under par on a golf hole. Par is the average number of strokes needed to reach the hole.

Date

Starts at:  November 4, 2025 11:00 PM
Ends at:  February 25, 2026 4:00 PM

Location

400 Avenue of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens,FL 33418 USA

Contact

JP Darbouze
cognizantclassiccommunity@pgatourhq.com


Program Overview


How It Works

  • Dates: The program runs from November 5, 2025 through February 25, 2026. 

  • Pledge & Guess: Donors make pledges by guessing the total number of birdies that will be made by PGA TOUR players during the competition rounds of the Cognizant Classic (Feb 26 – Mar 1, 2026). To be eligible to win, donors contribute at least $20 to the participating charity of their choice.

  • Grand Prize: One lucky supporter who guesses closest - without going over - to the total number of birdies made during the 2026 Cognizant Classic will win a $10,000 grand prize! The winner may choose to keep the prize or donate it to a participating charity of their choice, amplifying the impact of their support.

  • Bonus Pool: The tournament will contribute $100,000 to a bonus pool that will be distributed among participating charities based on their fundraising efforts.  

  • Tiebreaker: If there is a tie, the winner will be determined by the most accurate guess to a tiebreaker question: How many balls will land in the water at the Bear Trap (Holes 15, 16, and 17) during competition rounds of the 2026 Cognizant Classic? If multiple ties remain, additional tiebreaker questions will be used until a winner is determined: How many balls will land in the water at Hole 17 during competition rounds of the 2026 Cognizant Classic?


Ways Donors Can Give

  • Donate Online: Donors can click the "Donate Here" tab above to select a charity, make their birdies guess, and complete the donation via credit card or Apple Pay. All online donations will be collected by PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. and then distributed to the respective nonprofits at the end of the campaign.

  • Donate By Cash or Check: Donors wishing to donate via cash or check will make their donation directly to the charity of their choice. The donor must complete a Manual Donation Form, which includes their birdies guess and a tie-breaker question. The donor will send this form along with their donation directly to the charity. The charity will be responsible for recording all donations received and uploading them to the donation site. 


How Nonprofits Can Participate

  • Eligibility: Charities must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in or provides services in South Florida.

  • Raising Funds: Participating charities can collect pledges by organizing fundraising events, promoting on social media, and reaching out to donors directly. We’ve created a social media toolkit and customizable flyers to help charities maximize their efforts.
  • Application Deadline: Nonprofits must complete their application by January 6, 2026 to be eligible for the 2026 Birdies for Charity program.​


For more information or questions, please email cognizantclassiccommunity@pgatourhq.com