Tournament Returns to TPC Treviso Bay in 2010
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Naples, FL – Tournament officials confirmed that the 2009 ACE Group Classic hosted by Peter Jacobsen was a success in its inaugural year at TPC Treviso Bay. Attendance for tournament week surpassed 110,000 for the first time in the event’s history and proceeds totaling $232,100 have been donated to fourteen local charities. Additionally, officials for the ACE Group have confirmed that they will continue as the title sponsor of the 2010 event that will return to TPC Treviso Bay.
“ACE is proud of its long-term association with The ACE Group Classic and, in turn, the support provided to charitable organizations in Southwest Florida,” said Richard Tallo, Senior Vice President of North America Communications and Marketing for the ACE Group. “We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the event through 2010 and look forward to another successful year.”
The 2009 tournament exceeded 110,000 spectators for the week in its debut on the new TPC Treviso Bay development. Comments from players, sponsors and fans on the move were overwhelmingly positive. Galleries around the 18th hole swelled down the stretch as fans anxiously followed the final groups to the finish. Loren Roberts won his second career ACE Group Classic title with a birdie on the final hole to beat Gene Jones.
“We couldn’t be happier in the support we received from our 2009 event and the move to TPC Treviso Bay,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “We have received confirmation from the ACE Group that they felt the same way and want to be back here again in 2010, which is obviously very important news for the future of this event.”
Tournament donations benefit fourteen area charities including educational institutions, human services agencies and health organizations working to aid individuals and their communities. The Northside Naples Kiwanis Foundation is the tournament’s host charity. The Education Foundation of Collier County and The First Tee of Naples/Collier County are the other main beneficiaries. “Through these contributions, The ACE Group Classic will have a lasting impact on the people of Southwest Florida well past tournament week,” said Camp.
“Northside Naples Kiwanis Foundation is proud to be recognized as the official host charity of The ACE Group Classic and looks forward to a successful and prosperous future for both the tournament and the charitable causes supported by the foundation,” added Steve LeBlanc, The ACE Group Classic project manager for the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. “Over the past ten years, NNKF has been able to distribute over $200,000 of tournament proceeds directly to the Southwest Florida community.
“Our second year in partnership with The ACE Group Classic was a tremendous success,” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director of The First Tee of Naples/Collier County. “The First Tee of Naples/Collier County is grateful for the Tournament’s financial support, in addition to the promotional support of tournament staff and Champions Tour professionals. Their endorsement of our program will make a lasting impact on the youth of Naples.”
Other charities supported by the Tournament include the YMCA of the Palms, American Red Cross of Collier, Alzheimer’s Support Network, MS Home, Allie Dowd Foundation, Conservancy Center, Seacrest Community School, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Florida and The First Tee of Philadelphia. The ACE Group Classic has a recognized tradition of charitable donation. In the 21 years that the Champions Tour event has been in Naples, over $2 million has been donated to various initiatives with the ACE Group of Companies being the title sponsor since 1999.
