Fort Worth, Texas -- January 7, 2025 -- Fort Worth Colonial Charities Inc., the philanthropic entity of Colonial Country Club and its PGA TOUR event, the Charles Schwab Challenge, announced today that Brian Estridge has been named President and CEO of the charitable organization.

Fort Worth Colonial Charities Inc. (FWCC) is redefining and strengthening its purpose by enhancing existing charitable initiatives and expanding its reach to elevate the impact it has in the community.

Fort Worth Colonial Charities Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2013 through an alliance with Colonial Country Club and the Charles Schwab Challenge. Since its inception, Fort Worth Colonial Charities Inc. has donated approximately $3.8 million for charitable programs and has become an important pillar in the community. Fort Worth Colonial Charities’ supported programs that are integrated into the Charles Schwab Challenge include these initiatives:

• Birdies For Charity. During the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, Birdies for Charity celebrated its 20th anniversary as part of the tournament by generating a record $20 million in donations for 33 local charitable organizations. This includes pledges energized by a matching fund of $280,000 from FWCC.

• Of the PGA TOUR events staging Birdies for Charity campaigns, Colonial’s $20 million figure is one of the largest on TOUR. Since the program’s local inception in 2005, the annual Birdies for Charity campaign has generated $171,001,636 for participating charities nationwide.

• Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes. Since the program started in 2011, 27 mortgage-free homes have been awarded to U.S military heroes during the tournament. • Complimentary tournament tickets for military members and private on-course hospitality in the Patriot’s Outpost.

• Executive Women’s Day. An eleven-year tournament tradition, Executive Women’s Day has grown to become Fort Worth’s elite women’s executive event for celebrating, empowering, and inspiring women while also benefitting The Women’s Center of Tarrant County and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. With a three-year commitment by FWCC to the two charities, EWD’s “Help A Sister Up” fundraising campaign will generate $500,000 in charitable giving to the organizations.

• Other FWCC supported initiatives include Charity Challenge tournament benefitting Folds of Honor, First Tee of Fort Worth and Birdies for Charity, the Ben Hogan Foundation Tournament and two collegiate golf tournaments, the men’s Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational presented by Charles Schwab and the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Invitational.
  

Rob Hood, Chairman of the Board of FWCC, said the redefined strategic vision for Fort Worth Colonial Charities will be to build upon the success and impact the charity has had in the community and to continue with youth education, development, athletic and enrichment programs that will have lasting impact in the community.

Brian Estridge Named President & CEO of FWCC

FWCC recognized the need to identify a leader who could evolve the charity and expand its impact in the community. After a thorough search, the FWCC Board of Directors has named Brian Estridge as its new President and CEO. Estridge’s appointment is a key component in FWCC’s impact acceleration plans.

Many will recognize Estridge for his award-winning play-by-play radio duties for TCU athletics for over a quarter of a century, as well as a play-by-play talent for television outlets including ESPN, Fox Sports, and CBS/Westwood One productions. Additionally, Estridge spent 20 years on the air in DFW radio at WBAP News/Talk 820AM and ESPN Dallas.

For the past year, Estridge served as the Director of Development for the United Way of Tarrant County and he has devoted years of service as a volunteer for many charitable organizations including HOPE Farm, FCA and The Salvation Army. Active in the community, he serves on the Executive Boards of the Davey O’Brien Foundation; the Armed Forces Bowl and he was a past member of the Cliburn Marketing Committee.

“Brian Estridge is known and respected in Fort Worth and throughout the state. Through his work with non-profit organizations, he has proven himself successful as a leader and with fundraising. Fort Worth Colonial Charities, Colonial Country Club and the Charles Schwab Challenge are confident he is the perfect fit to elevate our presence and impact in the community,” commented Rob Hood, FWCC Chairman of the Board.

“I am both honored and humbled to work with the outstanding team at Fort Worth Colonial Charities. An iconic brand in America’s greatest city creates unlimited potential for the impact that we can have to make our community even better. I am anxious to get started,” Estridge commented.