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Naples, FL – The list keeps getting better and better. On the heels of announcing that Gary Player and Lee Trevino will return to The ACE Group Classic, tournament officials at Octagon have learned that Fred Couples will compete. The tournament will be only the second Champions Tour event for the 50 year-old. The tournament takes place next week at The Quarry, February 8 – 14.

“You know, it's great to be here.  I am now on the Champions Tour. I'm going to play probably this year half and half,” said Couples. “I have been looking forward to being 50.  Ten years ago, I told a lot of people I would have no interest in playing the Champions Tour because it was too much of a grind. So now what I'm looking forward to is really having fun and seeing the fellows.”

Couples made his Champions Tour debut at the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game, where he was paired with Nick Price. His first official event came one week later when he battled Tom Watson at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and eventually finished second at 21-under-par. With his commitment to The ACE Group Classic, he will play the first three events of the Champions Tour season.

“We are gearing up for a very exciting week of golf at The Quarry,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “Fred is one of the most popular and exciting players to watch, and I expect that he will be in the hunt for the 2010 title. Fans don’t want to miss that or the chance to get an autograph from him when he plays in the pro-am on Wednesday and Thursday.”

Couples enjoys a reputation for being one of the most easy-going and laid back players on the PGA TOUR. Nicknamed “Boom Boom” because of his long drives, his personality and dynamic play has made him a fan favorite since turning professional in 1980.

Couples has won 15 PGA TOUR titles in his career, including the 1992 Masters. He is tied with Gary Player for the most consecutive made cuts at The Masters, with 23. He was the PGA TOUR Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992.

The past few years, he has competed on a limited schedule due to injuries, but has repeatedly proven that he can keep up with the young guys. In 2009, he finished tied for third in two events, while juggling his   role as captain of the 2009 United States Presidents Cup team. He led the Americans to a decisive victory over the International team at Harding Park in San Francisco.

There are currently 36 past PGA TOUR and Champions Tour major champions committed, totaling 95 major championships. Tickets to The ACE Group Classic can be purchased at www.theacegroupclassic.com or (239) 593-3900.