The 2010 PLAYERS Championship is May 6-9, but the annual Birdies for Charity campaign is underway! The program is a great way for fans to win prizes and support their favorite local charities.

 Here’s how Birdies for Charity works. Similar to a walk-a-thon, you make a pledge for each birdie made in the field during the tournament. Last year, more than 1,500 birdies were made during the tournament, so a two cent pledge would have resulted in a $30 contribution to a local charity. You can also make a flat pledge of $25 or more.

To win prizes, you have to correctly guess the total number of birdies that will be made by the field during THE PLAYERS. The grand prize is a trip to New York for The Barclays, the first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup with airfare and accommodations included. The second place prize is a John Deere Riding Lawnmower and the third place winner will enjoy fine dining at the TPC Sawgrass.

The real winners of this program are the local charities. A record number of 92 are participating this year, up from 68 in 2009. Last year, the Birdies for Charity program raised $230,000 for local charitable organizations. Let’s increase that amount this year. Our local charities need the support more than ever!

For more information, visit www.pgatour.com/theplayers.