MONTREAL
,
Feb. 4
/CNW Telbec/ - Synchro Sports and the PGA TOUR jointly announced a multi-year agreement today that will bring the PGA Champions Tour to
Montreal
,
Canada
.
The inaugural 54-hole
Montreal
Championship featuring a 78-player star-studded field will be conducted July 2-4, 2010 at Fontainebleau Golf Club. Montreal-based Synchro Sports will serve as Host Organization and tournament promoter to manage the championship.
The Champions Tour collectively has the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game, with 16 World Golf Hall of Fame Members actively competing in its events as well as golf legends that have combined to win close to 100 PGA Tour major championships. Among major champions now competing on the Champions Tour are
Tom Watson
, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Bernhard Langer,
Nick Price
and Mark O'Meara.
Champions Tour
President Mike Stevens
was accompanied at the media conference by the 2009 Champions Tour Player of the Year Bernhard Langer and two-time Champions Tour major winner
Peter Jacobsen
.
"We realize the strategic importance of growing the Champions Tour brand globally and establishing a strong presence in
Canada
," said
Mike Stevens
. "Following the overwhelming success of the 2007 Presidents Cup, our players are excited to be back playing in
Canada
and looking forward to visiting and showcasing the Champions Tour in the world-class city of
Montreal
."
The
Montreal
Championship will boast a
$ 1.8 million USD
purse with the winner earning
$ 270,000 USD
and will be broadcast to an international television audience, with both The Golf Channel and Le Réseau des sports (RDS) airing 54-hole coverage.
"Our objective is to further position the city of
Montreal
as an enticing tourist and golf destination and to maximize the economic benefits to the city and the province of
Quebec
. We have the fortitude to rely on solid corporate partners that clearly believe in the viability of this championship and whom have partnered with us in the past," explained
Patrick Bibeau
, President of Synchro Sports. "However, the arrival of the Champions Tour to
Montreal
would simply not have been possible without the support of both the provincial and federal governments."
"The Government of
Canada
is proud to grant
$2,350,000
in funding for the marketing and promotion of
Montreal
Championship over a three year period. This contribution is a concrete example of our government's commitment to sustaining the vitality of Canada's communities. Having the Champions Tour take place on
Quebec
soil will further the international reach and reputation of Montréal, the province and the country as a whole. With the broad media coverage it is sure to attract, this event promises to draw the focus of the entire world," commented the Honourable
Denis Lebel
, Minister of State for
Canada
Economic Development. "This prestigious tournament, which comes on top of the other major sporting events to be hosted by Montréal, will help multiply the economic spinoffs generated by all of these events and further strengthen the city's reputation on the international stage."
"The Government of Québec is thrilled with the announcement of this momentous championship that will provide broad exposure as well as significant economic and social benefits for the city of
Montreal
," declared Ministers Lessard, Ménard and Courchesne. "Golf will become an Olympic sport beginning in 2016 and is undoubtedly an important component of the tourism industry in
Quebec
. Additionally, golf remains a high-level sport with
Quebec
youngsters taking up the game in record levels."
The
Montreal
Championship also marks the return to the professional sporting scene of former
Montreal
Canadiens
President Mr
.
Ronald Corey
, who has been named Tournament Chairman.
"This is undoubtedly one of the most significant professional golf announcements in Montreal's history and we look forward to the challenge," states Corey. "We encourage the
Montreal
business community to get behind this event in the way of sponsorship and assist our many worthwhile charitable partners."
"Fontainebleau's closing three holes circle around a large lake and will be the ideal stadium-like setting for a truly dramatic finish to the
Montreal
Championship," said David Skitt, Synchro Sports Vice-President and Tournament Director. "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring world-class championship golf on an annual basis to the loyal golf fans in
Quebec
," concluded Skitt.
Opened in 2003, the 7,105-yard, par-72 Club de Golf Fontainebleau, a property of ClubLink Corporation, wasted no time taking centre stage in the world of golf, playing host to the 2004 Skins game where
Phil Mickelson
topped
John Daly
, Vijay Singh and
Hank Kuehne
.
In order to avoid missing any of the exhilarating international golf action, fans can immediately purchase tickets to access the
Montreal
Championship grounds from
Wednesday, June 30th
through
Sunday, July 4th
. Tickets are now on sale through the Admission network at www.admission.com or by dialing 1-800-361-4595.
For further information on volunteer and corporate hospitality opportunities, please visit our web site at www.championstourmontreal.com
For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Mélany Savard, Media Relations Director, Synchro Sports, (514) 743-7023, [email protected]; Marty Henwood, Communications Manager, Synchro Sports, [email protected]; Simon Bachand, Attaché de presse, Cabinet de l'honorable Denis Lebel, Développement économique Canada, Cell.: (613) 996-6236, [email protected]
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