TOURNAMENT FULL OF FAN-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, ENDING ON VALENTINE’S DAY

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Naples, FL – The ACE Group Classic begins next week and the tournament field is now set. Champions Tour professionals had until Friday at 5:00 p.m. to commit. Activities will take place all week at The Quarry leading into the tournament Friday, February 12 through Sunday, February 14.

The ACE Group Classic is the first Champions Tour event of 2010 on the United States mainland, as the Champions Tour players begin their quest for the Charles Schwab Cup. The tournament takes place President’s Day weekend, with the final round being held on Valentine’s Day.

“We couldn’t be happier about the tremendous field that we have competing at The Quarry,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “We have some of the most accomplished men in the sport and some great competitors and entertainers. I hope that the community takes note and comes out to see these guys on our new course.”

There are 37 past PGA TOUR and Champions Tour major champions committed, totaling 96 major championships. The list also features nine of the top-10 from the 2009 Official Money List and 11 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

David Peoples, John Harris, Des Smyth, Gary Koch and Walter Hall received sponsor exemptions into the field. Peoples, who attended the University of Florida, will be playing in his first Champions Tour event. Smyth will celebrate his 57th birthday during the first round of the tournament on Friday. Four golfers will earn the last spots into the tournament field through a qualifying round on Monday, February 8 at The Plantation.

Fans can register for mobile alerts by texting acealert to 83333.

In addition to elite caliber golf, fans will have the opportunity to experience a number of new enhancements at the new host course, The Quarry. “There is no question that there will some terrific golf being played at The Quarry, but we wanted to add some new features to showcase the wonderful venue and make this the place to be next week,” said Camp.

Monday, February 8 is a practice day for the pros, and a time for shine for local amateurs. There are still a limited number of playing spots available in the Naples Daily News Amateur Qualifier. The field is capped at 100 participants, who will each get to play the tournament course with a chance of winning great prizes. Four flight winners will get an official pro-am playing spot with defending champion Loren Roberts on February 10. Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the day. For more information visit www.theacegroupclassic.com/promotions.

Area golf retailer Lumpy’s is sponsoring Demo Days on the practice range, Friday – Sunday. Fans will get a chance to test out the latest golf equipment alongside the pros. Following each of the championship rounds, Friday – Sunday, fans can enjoy a water ski show from The Quarry’s 320 acre Stone Lake. The show will run from 4:00 – 5:30 each day and all fans admitted into the tournament can enjoy it for free.

Overlooking the 18th green is a 45-foot high structure called The Ledge. It features a public bar, flat screen TVs and an unbelievable view of the finishing hole.

There are a limited number of tickets still available to the Seminole Club 21 Skybox on the 18th hole, the tournament’s only hospitality option open to the public. Tickets for Friday – Sunday are $95 per day and include open bar, food buffet and VIP parking. Fans can order by phone at 239-593-3900.

Daily tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. A weekly pass is $50. The 2010 Ultimate Golf Experience Book is still available for $130. Fans interested can order online at www.theacegroupclassic.com or at (239) 593-3900.

2010 List of Competitors

Fulton Allem
Isao Aoki
Tommy Armour III
Paul Azinger
Andy Bean
Ronnie Black
Phil Blackmar
Olin Browne
Russ Cochran
Jim Colbert
John Cook
Fred Couples
Ben Crenshaw
Jim Dent
Allen Doyle
David Eger
Keith Fergus
Bruce Fleisher
Dan Forsman
David Frost
Fred Funk
Bob Gilder
Mike Goodes
Jay Haas
Walter Hall
John Harris
Steve Haskins
Morris Hatalsky
Scott Hoch
Mike Hulbert
Hale Irwin
Peter Jacobsen
Mark James
Tom Jenkins
Gene Jones
Tom Kite
Gary Koch
Bernhard Langer
Wayne Levi
Bruce Lietzke
Graham Marsh
Blaine McCallister
Mark McNulty
Larry Mize
Gil Morgan
Larry Nelson
Joe Ozaki
David Peoples
Tom Pernice, Jr.
Gary Player
Don Pooley
Nick Price
Tom Purtzer
Dana Quigley
Mike Reid
Loren Roberts
Eduardo Romero
Jim Roy
Peter Senior
Jay Sigel
Scott Simpson
Tim Simpson
Joey Sindelar
Jeff Sluman
Des Smyth
J.C. Snead
Craig Stadler
Curtis Strange
Hal Sutton
Lee Trevino
Bob Tway
Bobby Wadkins
Lanny Wadkins
D.A. Weibring
Mark Wiebe
Ian Woosnam
Fuzzy Zoeller


4  Event Qualifiers
81 Players in the Field