Gretzky to Host Pro-Am on Nationwide Tour

BRANTFORD, Ontario -- The PGA TOURs Nationwide Tour and Wayne Gretzky announced today that the Wayne Gretzky Foundation will host a new tournament in Canada beginning in 2008, sponsored by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

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, 150 km northwest of Toronto. The Nationwide Tour features PGA TOUR stars of the future with 25 PGA TOUR cards awarded at the conclusion of the season to its leading money winners.

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 Tours largest purses, $800,099 (U.S) over 72 holes of stroke-play competition. All four rounds will be televised by Golf Channel.

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.