NEWS RELEASE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COURSE OPENS FOOT Course for Hot New Sport Is Located on the Blue Course at the University Golf Course

SAVOY, IL and CHICAGO, September 21, 2015 -- One of the hottest sporting trends in the nation, a blend of golf and soccer called foot golf, is now available for players on the Blue Course at the University of Illinois’ golf course complex in Savoy, Illinois. The University of Illinois’ foot golf course will hold its grand opening on Monday, September 21, 2015.

The complex is located just south of the University of Illinois’ main campus in Champaign-Urbana. Green Golf Partners (GGP), one of the nation’s leading golf course management and development companies, manages the complex, including both the original Orange Course that was built in 1950 as an 18-hole championship layout and the 18-hole Blue Course that was added in 1966.

The new course consists of 18 American Foot Golf League (AFGL) foot golf holes constructed alongside the traditional Blue course, which is more than 2,461 yards long and is 71. Bright orange sets of are designed to match any skill level at a cost of $10 for a round at any time. A map of the foot golf course is available at the U of I Golf Course web site (www.uofigolf.com), as well as a comprehensive list of official foot golf rules.

“Foot golf is an exciting new sport that appeals to Millenials but has widespread appeal across other age groups as well,” says Mike Wallner, head golf professional at the U of I golf courses. “It takes half the time as traditional golf and is great exercise for players who walk the layout as they kick the ball to each green. It’s going to be a blast to play and watch.”

Foot golf, which combines the skills of soccer and golf, is played by kicking a soccer ball on a golf course with the objective of getting the ball into an oversized (21 inches in diameter) hole in the fewest amount of kicks. Players can play an 18-hole course in as little as two hours as compared to four to five hours for a regulation round of golf.

The sport of foot golf began in 2009 in The Netherlands and now is played in more than 30 countries worldwide. In just two years, the number of foot golf courses in the United States has grown from 3 in July 2013 to more than 200 in August 2015.

The game, which is designed to appeal to the 18-to-36-years age demographic, can help create additional revenue for a golf course with minimal preparation. Equipment consists primarily of a soccer ball (Reg. FIFA soccer ball #5 or #4). Foot golf greens are designed near the greens of the actual course and generally are cut ¾-inch to 2 inches high. The typical green has about a 10-yard radius and often is designed with rye or bluegrass grass to further distinguish it from a conventional green.

The United States Foot Golf Association (www.usfootgolf.org) has official rules posted on its web site, rules that generally follow the but in simplified form. While the game is an unconventional blend of golf and soccer, traditional golf with slacks or shorts or knickers is required, along with flat (tennis or soccer) or turf shoes.

NEWS RELEASE

The new foot golf course at the University of Illinois’ Blue course is accredited by the American Foot Golf League as an 18-hole course. Foot golfers and golfers can play simultaneously, again following normal rules of golf that require a steady and brisk round of play.

About Green Golf Partners

Green Golf Partners is one of the fastest growing golf course management companies in the United States. The senior management team, with over 100 years of experience combined, is considered to be some of the leading golf course management experts in the game of golf in the world. The entire Green Golf Partners team believes that celebrating the game and emphasizing fun are critical to the long-term success at the projects which they develop.

The Green Golf Partners portfolio features courses in five states across the country, including such notable properties as Kemper Lakes in Kildeer, Ill. and the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. For more information on Green Golf Partners, go to www.greengolfpartners.com. For additional information about the University of Illinois golf courses, call 217-359-5613 or visit www.uofigolf.com or “like” it on Facebook at facebook.com/UofIGolf.

Media Contacts: Tony Rodems Green Golf Partners [email protected] 217-359-1024, ext. 2024 (o)

Chris Comes Ripson Communications [email protected] 312-282-0539 (m) Twitter: @ChrisComes

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