Rhode Island natives and PGA pros Billy Andrade, left, and Brad Faxon continue to raise huge money for charity.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

WOONSOCKET — One of the coldest days of the year produced a double dose of good golf news yesterday. For that matter, it was great news not only for golfers, but for people in need throughout Southern New England.

CVS Caremark officials held their annual session wrapping up the charity golf tournament they hold each June and they reported record earnings — some $1,828,000 was raised. It was distributed yesterday to more than 85 area charities.

Children and women’s charities were the prime beneficiaries. However, in recognition of the difficult economic times, $360,000 was earmarked specifically for organizations that provide food, shelter, health services and heat assistance.

Andrew Schiff and Elizabeth O’Dea represented the food banks at the news conference.

“We’re going to be able to provide 100,000 meals to people in need because of this,” O’Dea said. “Everyone at CVS Caremark should feel real good about that.”

The money brings to more than $12 million raised for charity in the 10 years the event has been held.

Tom Ryan, the president and CEO of CVS, reported that despite the difficult times everything looks to be a go for next year, too. The event, cohosted by tour pros Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, has been set for June 22-23 at Rhode Island Country Club. Every indication is that all the key sponsors will continue on board.

“They’ve all said they want to stay with the event,” Ryan said. But there will probably be some changes.

“We’re trying to get creative with the sponsors. Companies are struggling. Companies are cutting back,” Ryan said. “We’re talking about changing the event a little bit because people are feeling the pressure.”

It is questionable whether the event, which has raised more each year than the preceding year, can continue to build on the money raised each year, Ryan said. The tournament committee had a meeting scheduled immediately after the news conference and will do all it can to keep maintain the event as much as possible, he said.

Faxon reported that one aspect is set for next year — that women will compete again, perhaps even more than one team, as has been the case each of the last two years. One of the first invitations has gone out to Annika Sorenstam.

The best women’s player in the world retired from LPGA competition at the end of this year, but CVS officials hope she will be willing to take part in the more informal format that is the CVS Caremark Classic.

CVS will be sponsoring one other event, too. Ryan and Eileen Howard Dunn, CVS’ vice president for corporate communications and community relations, reported that the company has picked up full sponsorship of a full-field LPGA Tour event held in California each fall. That event has been the Longs Drugs Challenge.

CVS bought the Longs chain. It has agreed to pick up the two years remaining on the contract for the LPGA event, Ryan said.

Pkenyon@projo.com