Sanderson Farms Championship host organization donates $1M to benefit Children’s of Mississippi
Century Club Charities, host of the Sanderson Farms Championship, has once again reached a milestone in giving—donating $1 million from tournament proceeds to benefit Children’s of Mississippi.
This marks the 12th consecutive year that the tournament has donated $1 million or more to Friends of Children’s Hospital, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the state’s only children's hospital.
The announcement was made at a news conference this morning at the BankPlus Community Room of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi.
The $1 million gift, coupled with $730,000 to other Mississippi charities, brings Century Club Charities' total charitable impact statewide to over $1.73 million in 2025. Since Sanderson Farms, now Wayne-Sanderson Farms, became the Title Sponsor in 2013, the tournament and Century Club Charities have contributed nearly $20 million to Friends of Children's Hospital and other Mississippi charities. Since 1994, Century Club Charities has raised nearly $29 million for Mississippi charities.
Dr. JR Woodall, president of Century Club Charities and an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said the true mission of the tournament continues to be philanthropy.
The 2025 tournament was “a top-tier event that drew high praise from the PGA TOUR, from the players, but also with financial diligence that delivered over $1.7 million to Mississippi charities,” he said.
Children’s of Mississippi, which includes the children’s hospital as well as clinics around the state, cared for more than 210,000 children in the past fiscal year.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, thanked Century Club Charities, Friends of Children’s Hospital and Wayne-Sanderson Farms for their continuing support.
“This partnership is remarkable,” she said. “Everyone involved works together, and the results speak for themselves. The Sanderson Farms Championship brings a PGA TOUR event to Mississippi, but its impact reaches far beyond the course. It’s a year-round, two-way relationship. Players and their families visit our patients, and our Medical Center team volunteers their time because they believe deeply in what this event supports.”
Friends of Children’s Hospital Board Chair Mary Clift Abdala thanked Century Club Charities members for their steadfast support.
“Century Club Charities has been an extraordinary partner in advancing care for Mississippi’s children. Their generosity strengthens the work happening every day at Children’s of Mississippi, and Friends of Children’s Hospital is honored to help steward this support on behalf of the families who rely on the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower. We are truly grateful for their long-standing commitment to creating a healthier future for kids across our state,” she said. “Their support has helped make this tower possible, and their gifts will benefit children and families not just today but for years to come.”
Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor of pediatrics, said the impact of the tournament’s philanthropy is immeasurable.
“The things that you see in this hospital are largely because of this tournament,” she said. “This building that we’re standing in and the care that’s being delivered. Right now, there are patients going up to our clinics, and there are patients receiving pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care. We have state-of-the-art care right here in Mississippi thanks to this tournament, Century Club Charities and Friends of Children’s Hospital.”
Kevin McDaniel, president and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms, said the company plans to continue its support of Children’s of Mississippi and charities in the state.
“On behalf of the 27,000 employees within Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we’re honored to be a part of this,” he said, noting the company’s commitment to supporting charities in the areas of its operations. “This one is special because we know the impact you have and the system has on the state of Mississippi. We have a large footprint in Mississippi, so we want to continue to support that.”
Steve Jent, executive director of the tournament, thanked Wayne-Sanderson Farms for its support of the tournament.
“While 2025 marked the final year of the Sanderson Farms Championship, we are incredibly grateful to Wayne-Sanderson Farms for their support and generosity,” he said. "Their continued contribution in 2026 to Friends of Children’s Hospital and Children’s of Mississippi reflects the same spirit of giving that has defined this tournament for more than a decade. We’re proud of the impact this event has made and thankful to everyone who helped make it so special.”