Bivens announces 2006 LPGA Tour schedule

Nearly $50 million in prize money, first-ever playoffs system in golf, highest payout in women’s golf

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 16, 2005 – Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens today announced the 2006 LPGA Tour schedule, which will feature 34 events with prize money nearing $50 million, the highest ever in LPGA history. Bivens also unveiled the details of the qualifying system for the previously announced LPGA Playoffs at The ADT, the first-ever playoff system in golf, which awards a $1 million payout to the winner, the highest in the history of women’s golf. Bivens made the announcements during a press conference at the season-ending ADT Championship at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"As we put the finishing touches on the 2005 LPGA season, one of the most exciting and successful in LPGA history, I am thrilled to announce such a strong and dynamic schedule for next year," commented Bivens after unveiling the schedule. "The momentum from this season-with a 33-percent increase in combined cable and network viewership, 14-percent increase in attendance, booming LPGA.com traffic, 20 different winners and 10 Rolex First-Time Winners from all corners of the globe-shows that we are poised for a fantastic 2006.

"We’re launching the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT next year, which will add only more drama and excitement to our Tour on a weekly basis, and when you combine all of that with some new and challenging host venues, we are certainly fulfilling our brand promise of showcasing the very best of women’s professional golf."

New to the LPGA Tour in 2006 will be the inaugural season of the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT, a yearlong competitive structure that will include a "regular season" that splits the LPGA schedule into two halves, with 15 players from each half qualifying for LPGA Playoffs at The ADT using a performance-based points system throughout the year, plus two wild cards. The 2006 winner of the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT will earn $1 million, the largest first-place prize in the history of women’s golf.

"ADT is thrilled to be a part of the first ever playoff system in golf," said Mike Snyder, president of ADT Security Services, Inc. "The qualifying criteria that will culminate with the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT combined with the $1 million first-place winner’s check will create excitement and interest from players and fans throughout the season. LPGA Playoffs at The ADT is exciting and innovative, and we look forward to the launch in 2006."

Highlights from the 2006 LPGA Tour schedule include:

A total of 34 events, including 32 official events and two unofficial events;

Prize money totaling $49.3 million, which represents a 9.4% increase from 2005;

A second Tour event in Hawaii, the Fields Open, to kick-off the official Tour season with back-to-back weeks in Hawaii;

A return to the Orlando area for the first time since 2001 with the $2.5 million Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open in Reunion, Fla.;

CN, the Canadian National Railway Company that spans Canada and mid-America, entitling the Canadian Women’s Open and raising the purse by $400,000 to $1.7 million;

Five events featuring $2 million or more in prize money;

Wegmans LPGA increasing its prize money by $300,000 to $1.8 million;

The Longs Drugs Challenge being moved from Sacramento to the Bay Area and being played at Black Hawk Country Club in Danville, Calif.;

Premier new host venues added to the 2006 schedule – Black Hawk Country Club (Longs Drugs Challenge), Ko Olina Golf Club (Fields Open), London Hunt Club (CN Canadian Women’s Open), Newport Golf Club (U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA), Reunion Resort and Club (Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open), Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Club (Weetabix Women’s British Open); and

The launch of the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT, which features a $1,550,000 purse.

Contact:
Connie Wilson/Laura Neal, LPGA

386-274-6200

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