Former National Hockey League great Wayne Gretzky is teaming with the PGA TOUR to host a Nationwide Tour in his native Canada starting in 2008, PGA TOUR officials have announced.
The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will be held June 23-29 at The Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, located on the shores of expansive Georgian Bay, about 80 miles northwest of Toronto.
Ford of Canada, a long-time supporter of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, has signed a three-year agreement to be the title sponsor of the event through 2010. Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc., also a long-time supporter of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, will be the presenting sponsor.
The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will feature a unique format with 160 Nationwide Tour players paired with 160 celebrities/amateurs for a minimum of two days. One professional will be paired with one celebrity or amateur on Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27 and the teams alternating between The Georgian Bay Club and Lora Bay courses both days. Ten pro/amateur teams will compete on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th for the Pro-Celebrity/Amateur title at The Georgian Bay Club.
The 160 professionals will vie for one of the Tour's largest purses, $800,099 over 72 holes of stroke-play competition. All four rounds will be televised by GOLF CHANNEL.
"The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic is a terrific addition to the Nationwide Tour schedule," said Nationwide Tour President Bill Calfee. "It is exciting to have Canada's premier sports legend partnering with the Tour. Golf fans of Canada will get to watch PGA TOUR stars of the future and have the unique opportunity to get close to Wayne and the many celebrities who will be participating."
The Wayne Gretzky Foundation, founded by Gretzky in 2002, will be the primary beneficiary of the event.
The tournament will be the first foray back to the Great White North for the Nationwide Tour since the 2005 Alberta Classic, a three-year event that once was won by Canadian David Hearn. Hearn grew up five blocks from Gretzky's home in Brantford, Ontario, and is one of several young Canadian golfers who've made waves in professional golf.
Gretzky, an avid golfer who has enjoyed participating in celebrity events on both the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour, has committed to play in the Classic and is excited to host an event on the Nationwide Tour.
"I have always had tremendous respect for the Nationwide Tour and the platform it provides for aspiring golfers," said Gretzky. "I am thrilled to host an event that will recognize the hard work and dedication these players put in week after week on Tour."
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