PGA TOUR golfers at this year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial will be playing for more than the traditional plaid jacket. The entire PGA TOUR field will be working even harder to shoot low scores over the weekend to support the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program, benefiting four charities – Birdies for the Brave, Shelter In A Storm, Cook Children’s Medical Center and The First Tee of Fort Worth, Texas. During Saturday and Sunday rounds, each golf pairing will be playing for one of the four charities with IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand donating $100 for every birdie and $500 for every eagle made to the pairing’s corresponding charity, up to $50,000.

“As the title sponsor, it’s important that we celebrate and build upon Colonial’s 66-year history of memorable moments in competition and a tradition of charitable giving,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Management, the Americas, IHG. “We’re extremely proud to be joined by this weekend’s PGA TOUR golfers in our effort to raise money for such great causes.”

To create awareness for the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program and to help fans identify the corresponding charity for each golf pairing, the players’ caddies will wear one of the four charity names on their caddy bibs.

Fans don’t have to be a scratch golfer or a PGA TOUR player to participate in the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program. From Memorial Day through Independence Day (July 4th), fans can visit Facebook.com/CrownePlaza and select to which of the four charities they would like Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts to donate an additional dollar on their behalf, up to $10,000, making the total donation up to $60,000 for the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program. Participating fans will automatically be entered to win a golf weekend getaway for two.

Earlier this season, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of a multi-media advertising campaign starring PGA TOUR professional Rickie Fowler. The upscale hotel brand signed Fowler for the 2012 golf season and is executing a multi-channel campaign designed to elevate the fresh, contemporary spirit of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. One of the most recognizable golfers on the PGA TOUR, Fowler is currently appearing in television, print and online ads showcasing his unique personality. The broadcast spot titled “It’s Good to be Rickie,” brings to life the comfortable accommodations, numerous amenities and value propositions offered by Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts for business and leisure travelers alike.

Click here to see a video from Rickie Fowler about the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program.

IHG is the Official Hotel and Resort Partner of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. In addition to the official marketing relationship, IHG’s Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand is the title sponsor of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial through 2015. The 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, captured in 2011 by David Toms, will be held May 21-27 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial is the longest running PGA TOUR tournament still being held at the original site (since 1946).