Valero Texas Open Raises Another Record Amount for Charity

With the help of more than 2,000 sponsors, businesses and community partners from across North America, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic have raised a new record amount for children’s charities: $8.5 MILLION.

Funds for charity are raised through sponsorships sold during the Valero Texas Open and the Valero Benefit for Children Golf Classic. A record number of participants will play golf Monday, Oct. 13, at 10 of San Antonio’s premier golf courses in this year’s Benefit for Children. Funds raised will be donated to children’s charities in locations where Valero, North America’s largest refiner and marketer, does business. Valero employees select children’s service agencies in their area to share a portion of the Benefit for Children fundraising total. The money is then distributed through check presentation parties at all of these locations.

"It never stops being exciting – the chance to raise even more money for children’s charities in all of the areas where Valero operates,” said Gene Edwards, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategic Planning, who is heading up Valero’s efforts in this year’s tournament. "Valero is so thankful for its generous business partners, who every year give even more to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children.”

The $8.5 million fundraising total keeps the Valero Texas Open among the most charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR. Golf San Antonio, which organizes the Valero Texas Open, raises charitable dollars through its pro-am events, the Birdies for Charity program in which nonprofit organizations solicit pledges for every birdie made during tournament week, and the Chip In for Schools program, which allows schools to sell discounted tournament tickets and keep all the proceeds.

"Valero’s partnership with the Valero Texas Open has only grown stronger over the years,” said GSA Chairman Tom Stephenson. "Through the support of Valero’s many volunteers, and the generosity of its sponsors, the Valero Texas Open continues to be a recognized and respected stop on the TOUR. And we look forward to doing it all over again in May 2009.”

The 2009 Valero Texas Open is scheduled for May 11-17, returning the tournament to a spring date and providing its players a chance to earn FedEx Cup points.

Tickets for this year’s tournament, which runs Thursday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Westin La Cantera Resort, can be purchased through schools participating in the Chip In for Schools program (call 210-345-3818), or by going online at www.golfsanantonio.org. Those purchasing tickets directly from Golf San Antonio can select a participating school to receive the funds. Additionally, tickets can be purchased at area Valero Corner Stores or at the tournament gate. Children 17 and under and spectators with a valid student or military ID will receive free admission.

About Valero:

Valero Energy Corporation is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio, with approximately 22,000 employees and 2007 revenues of more than $95 billion. The company owns and operates 16 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.1 million barrels per day, making it the largest refiner in North America. Valero is also one of the nation’s largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under various brand names including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Beacon. Please visit www.valero.com for more information.