LAKELAND, Fla., March 29, 2006 — The Duramed FUTURES Tour announced today at a press conference in Gettysburg, Pa., that it will add a 19th tournament to the Tour’s 2006 schedule. The Gettysburg Championship presented by Klein Builders Group Inc., and Hanover Honda, will be contested Aug. 25-27, at The Links At Gettysburg.
"I am thrilled we are able to keep a tournament in South Central Pennsylvania and I’m certain this event will bring back our fans of 20 years, as well as attract new fans to women’s professional golf from Adams County," said Zayra F. Calderon, president and CEO of the Duramed FUTURES Tour. "Teaming up with The Links At Gettysburg is a win – win. They can showcase their wonderful facility while at the same time our players compete on a challenging layout displaying their world-class talent."
The event will offer a $75,000 purse and will bring the first professional tournament to the daily-fee course that was opened in 1999. The Links At Gettysburg has received a four-star "Places To Play" designation by Golf Digest magazine and has been ranked among Pennsylvania’s top-10 public courses by Golfweek magazine for the last three years. The par-72 course features a links-style design positioned on 400 acres of land that is located seven miles from the historic Gettysburg National Military Park.
"We’re looking for a long-term relationship with the Duramed FUTURES Tour and we believe this is going to be the largest and most significant sporting event in the county’s history," said Ken Picking, general manager of The Links At Gettysburg. "The timing is so right for us to welcome the Tour."
This year’s event will mark the first of a three-year contract. It also will return the Tour to Central Pennsylvania, which has hosted the official developmental tour of the LPGA for two decades in nearby York, Pa. The tournament will be contested during the dates previously held by the York event and will benefit the United Way of Adams County.
"This is a vital new tournament, but we respect the history and evolution of this Tour’s presence in our region," added Picking. "We embrace those who have a long history with the Tour and we’re rolling out the red carpet to those individuals who have been attached to it for so many years. I’m thrilled to be a part of this chapter of growth in Gettysburg’s history."
About the Duramed FUTURES Tour
Celebrating 26 competitive seasons in 2006, the Duramed FUTURES Tour has remained committed to developing the skills and dreams of women golfers, establishing role models for youth and creating LPGA stars of tomorrow. With more than 280 alumnae as current members of the LPGA Tour, former FUTURES Tour players have won a total of 295 LPGA titles, including 31 major championships through 2005. Designated as "the official developmental tour of the LPGA," the Duramed FUTURES Tour has become the largest international developmental tour and the second largest women’s golf tour in the world. At season’s end each year, the top five players on the Tour’s Money List earn automatic LPGA Tour exemptions for the following year. Throughout its first quarter century, membership has increased from approximately 150 North American players to more than 300 players from 31 different nations. The Tour now conducts 19 tournaments in 14 states and has raised nearly $4 million for charitable organizations since 1989.
Contact:
