Markey Golf Classic Expected to Raise $425,000 for Markey Cancer Foundation

Public Relations www.uky.edu/PR/News CONTACT: Hollye Staley, (859) 323-6363

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2006) − With more than $400,000 in profit from last year's event, the Markey Cancer Foundation hopes this year's Markey Golf Classic will raise at least $425,000 to go toward cancer research and patient support programs at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center. This year's event will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at the University Club of Kentucky. The Markey Golf Classic continues to be a successful fundraising event for the Markey Cancer Foundation, and this year will be no exception. Golfers in the second annual event can look forward to hole-in-one prizes that include $90,000 cash and an Audi car. Auction items at the event will include a life membership to Champions Golf Club, a box at the 2006 Breeder's Cup at Churchill Downs, and cases of Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards wine. Each player will automatically be registered to win a $6,000 Rolex watch. The Thoroughbred industry continues to provide generous support for the event, with 20 horse farms as sponsors this year. The horse community has been a staple of support for the Markey Cancer Foundation since its inception 28 years ago. This active community is clearly behind Markey Cancer Center's mission and has stepped up to ensure the Markey Golf Classic is a substantial source of annual financial support for the foundation. Spearheading this effort are three Markety Cancer Foundation board members – Bill Farish, Jr. of Lane's End Farm, Sally Humphrey of Shawnee Farm, and Antony Beck of Gainesway Farm.

An Equal Opportunity University "I want to thank our golf committee for their hard work and dedication in supporting the Markey Cancer Foundation," said Dr. Philip DeSimone, chairman of the foundation. "Again, the horse industry continues to selflessly give back to this community. This is an excellent example of marrying local giving with innovative cancer research and care." “The Thoroughbred community is proud to be associated with such a special event," Farish said. "This tournament allows us to give back to Kentucky by supporting the cancer care and research conducted at the UK Markey Cancer Center. The Thoroughbred community has championed Markey from the beginning and we will continue that tradition.” A very special new line of support for the foundation came out of last year's event. While playing in the tournament, Nick Nicholson, Keeneland's president and CEO, had an idea to help the foundation raise more money. He called up Maker's Mark president Bill Samuels to see if together they could produce a special collector's edition bottle to benefit the foundation. Samuels liked the idea, and in April 2006, the first of a three-year series of bottles was available to the public. Featuring the 1966 UK basketball team of "Rupp's Runts," the bottles flew off the shelves and into the hands of collectors who were able to have their bottles signed at Keeneland by Nicholson and Samuels, as well as Runts Larry Conley, Louie Dampier, Thad Jaracz and Tom Kron. This exciting collaboration will provide an additional $3 million to the Markey Cancer Center over the next three years. Golfers and sponsors of the event know their money is going toward an important local cause. Gifts from individuals and organizations to the Markey Cancer Foundation are used to advance cancer research programs, foster innovative patient care, purchase state-of-the-art scientific equipment, and endow Chairs and Professorships to recruit and retain exceptional doctors at the Markey Cancer Center. The Markey Cancer Foundation has always been a good steward of the gifts it has received. Throughout the 28-year history of the Markey Cancer Foundation, 90 cents out of every dollar raised has gone to support cancer programs. As Thoroughbred owner Lucille Markey stated, “We are doing this for our friends in Kentucky.” Major sponsors of this year's Markey Golf Classic include: $25,000 Sponsor - S&S Tire/Bridgestone $20,000 Sponsors - Coolmore America, Gainesway Farm, Lane's End Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Overbrook Farm and Shawnee Farm $10,000 Sponsors - Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, Laban P. Jackson, UK College of Medicine, Darley Stud, Audi of Lexington, Vinery LTD, Hadyard-Davidson-McGee, Pine Mountain Lumber LLC, William A. Marquard, Stonewall Stallions, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Stonerside Stables, Tracy Farmer, The Oxley Foundation and John Hendrickson ###

In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university, please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html