The Professional Golfers Association of America s2

PGA News The Professional Golfers’ Association of America 100 Avenue of the Champions Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Tel: 561-624-8400 Fax: 561-624-8448

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Abramowitz December 4, 2007 561/624-8458 [email protected]

THE PGA GOLF CLUB CONDUCTS 16th ANNUAL SANTA OPEN AND CELEBRITY GOLF CLINIC HOSTED BY PAT BATES TO BENEFIT CASTLE DECEMBER 7-8

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The PGA Golf Club will host the 16th Annual Santa Open and Celebrity Golf Clinic Dec. 7-8, as a charity benefit for CASTLE, which works for the prevention of child abuse and also provides parent education through classes and in-home instruction. The Celebrity Golf Clinic at the PGA Learning Center will kick off the weekend and will be hosted by Tour Professional Pat Bates, on Friday, Dec. 7, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Bates will be joined by PGA Tour player Ken Duke and former PGA Tour member Wally Armstrong. The night will feature instruction, entertainment, games and prizes. There will also be a putting demonstration by Rife Putters. The cost of the clinic is $10, along with a requested toy donation to support CASTLE. Juniors 16-and-under will enjoy complimentary admission with a paying adult and also be invited to come forward at the end of the night to get “pointers from the pros.” Meanwhile, the Santa Open will commence on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8:30 a.m., with a shotgun start to the scramble event. There will be raffle prizes, including golf memorabilia, as part of the tournament fun. The cost to participate is $100 per person or $400 per foursome. Golfers of all ability levels are invited to register. “The holiday season is a time of reflection, giving and enjoying,” said Bob Baldassari, PGA general manager for The PGA Golf Club. “With the Santa Open and Celebrity Golf Clinic at The PGA Golf Club and PGA Learning Center, golf enthusiasts have a wonderful opportunity to fulfill these ideals by supporting such a worthwhile cause via the game of golf.” Money raised and toys donated will benefit the charitable work of CASTLE, which provides child abuse services, parenting training and life enrichment programs. Approximately 400 families along the Treasure Coast are expected to benefit from the event. “The Santa Open and Celebrity Golf Clinic at The PGA Golf Club and PGA Learning Center will put food on the table for kids, provide safety during the holidays and toys under the tree,” said Kristi Scottaline, community relations specialist for CASTLE. Hole sponsors are able to join in the event for just $100 per hole or $150 for three holes. Those interested should contact Kristi Scottaline at CASTLE at (772) 465-6011 Ext. 236. For consumer information, registration and donations to support the Santa Open and Celebrity Golf Clinic, please contact David Trout, PGA Head Professional at The PGA Golf Club at (772) 467-5481 or [email protected].

About The PGA Golf Club:

The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class public courses at The PGA Golf Club, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America” for 2007-08, The PGA Golf Club also features the award-winning 35-acre PGA Learning Center golf park and PGA Historical Center. The only public facilities owned and operated by The PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.

About The PGA of America The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

About CASTLE CASTLE’s mission is to improve the quality of family life and prevent child abuse and neglect by providing community education, support and resources for parents in need of assistance. CASTLE has been fighting – and winning – the child abuse prevention battle successfully for the past 26 years, and is now the premier agency in the fight against child abuse with a 98% success rate – a standard by which other agencies are now measured. For more information, visit www.exchangecastle.org. ###