Celebrity Players Tour event to feature community clinics, Celebrity- Ams, 27-hole championship tourney and star-packed social events
BOLINGBROOK, Ill., July 25, 2007 -The 2007 Tom Dreesen Celebrity Invitational, a highlight on the Celebrity Players Tour, will make its fifth consecutive run in Chicago’s western suburbs at the nationally acclaimed Bolingbrook Golf Club. A star-studded lineup, showcasing many of the most popular names in sports, television, film and music, are gearing up for what has become one of the Midwest’s premier celebrity golf events and the exclusive Chicago stop on the Celebrity Players Tour.
Among the growing roster of celebrity golfers scheduled to participate in the Tom Dreesen Celebrity Invitational are Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Mike Schmidt, Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Theismann and Grammy award-winning performer Smokey Robinson. Last year’s winners, former NBA guard Jon Barry and Major League Baseball players Kurt Bevacqua and Gorman Thomas, are also slated to vie in the 2007 competition. The tournament’s namesake, longtime comedian and Harvey, Ill.-native Tom Dreesen, will reprise his role as event host.
"This is one of the most highly anticipated events in our community,"
said Bolingbrook Mayor Roger C. Claar. "Not only have we added star power to the tournament, but we’ve complemented the on-course experience with a variety of first-rate social events. The Village of Bolingbrook, community leaders, corporate sponsors and local fans alike are counting down to the stars’ return."
The Celebrity Players Tour has gained momentum and popularity by providing a competitive domain for athletes, entertainers and other celebrities in an arena that differs from the field in which they became famous. The Tour, currently in its 11th year, has expanded its schedule with stops nationwide from April to September.
On Sunday, Aug. 12 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., Bolingbrook Golf Club welcomes sports fans of all ages to kick off the Tom Dreesen Celebrity Invitational at an All-Star Community Clinic, during which locals fans will have the opportunity to rub elbows with many of the participating celebrities as they showcase their respective skills in baseball, football, basketball, hockey and theatre. The first 300 kids will receive a free autograph card. Celebrity Pro-Ams will take place on Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14, followed by the official 27-hole championship competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The public is welcome to follow the tournament action on Wednesday, set to begin at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Will County.
Foursome packages for the Celebrity Pro-Ams are available and include variations of the following: a round of golf with celebrity; tickets to the Celebrity Cocktail Party at Harrah’s Joliet Casino on Monday evening; tickets to the Celebrity Gala Dinner on Tuesday evening; lunch and drinks; gift bags; annual memberships to Bolingbrook Golf Club and more. To participate in the Celebrity Pro-Ams or purchase tickets, contact Michele Gavaghan at Bolingbrook Golf Club at 630.771.9400 or mgavaghan@kempersports.com.
Tournament sponsors include Harrah’s Joliet Casino, Southern Wine & Spirits, FCm Bannockburn Travel Solutions, Great Steaks and Chicago International Trucks.
About the Celebrity Players Tour
The Celebrity Players Tour (CPT) is the premier corporate hospitality and entertainment golf tour, providing a competitive format for athletes, entertainers and other celebrities in an arena that differs from the field in which they became famous. Tour events are held at first-class golf course venues and feature high-profile celebrity athletes and entertainers from today and yesteryear, while providing millions of dollars for charity and a wonderful setting to entertain corporate guests who participate in the pro-ams and gala parties. For more information, visit http://www.cptgolf.com.
About Bolingbrook Golf Club
Bolingbrook Golf Club, designed by noted architect Arthur Hills, is an upscale, 18-hole championship golf course owned by the Village of Bolingbrook and operated by KemperSports. The 76,000-square-foot clubhouse features a state-of-the-art golf shop, casual and fine dining, corporate meeting spaces, banquet facilities, executive locker rooms, men’s and women’s lounges and a fitness facility. The Golf Academy at Bolingbrook Golf Club is the area’s premier practice center, offering a spacious bent grass tee that accommodates 70 hitting stations, target greens, short game area and professional instruction. For more information, visit http:// www.bolingbrookgolfclub.com.
Editor’s note
Media members are welcome to attend and cover all event festivities.
Celebrity interview opportunities will take place on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 13 and 14. Contact Susie Chang or Kristin Schaner regarding interview coordination, on-site needs, high-resolution photos of the Tom Dreesen Celebrity Invitational and Bolingbrook Golf Club, and additional requests.
Tom Dreesen Celebrity Invitational Lineup Aug. 13-15, 2007
Bobby Anderson, Denver Broncos Running Back Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins All-Pro Safety Donny Anderson, NFL Running Back Dave Archer, NFL Quarterback John Ashton, Actor Jon Barry, NBA Guard Johnny Bench, MLB Hall of Famer Kurt Bevacqua, Baseball Major Leaguer Kevin Butler, NFL Chicago Bears Kicker Steve Cochran, Chicago Radio Host John Congemi, CFL Quarterback/NFL Color Analyst Charlie Criss, NBA All-Star Al DelGreco, All-Pro NFL Placekicker Dennis DeYoung, Lead singer of STYX Tom Dreesen, Comedian John Ebersole, New York Jets Linebacker Don Edwards, NHL All-Star Goalie Mike Eruzione, 1980 Olympic Hockey Team Captain Dennis Farina, Award Winning Actor Rollie Fingers, Hall of Fame Pitcher Alex Hyde-White, Actor Josh Kelley, Singer Brian Kinchen, NFL Tight End Tommy Maddox, NFL Quarterback Stan Mikita, NHL Hall of Fame Center Ed Marinaro, Actor/ NFL Running Back Jim McMahon, Chicago Bears All-Pro Quarterback Chris Mohr, NFL Punter Joe Morgan, MLB Hall of Fame Second Baseman Browning Nagle, NFL Quarterback Bernie Nicholls, All-Star NHL Center Shane Rawley, Major League Pitcher Ken Reitz, All-Star Third Baseman Cliff Richey, Tennis Champion and Davis Cup MVP Smokey Robinson, Grammy Award Winning Performer Truck Robinson, NBA All-Star Forward Scott Sanderson, MLB Pitcher Mike Schmidt, MLB Hall of Famer Mike Siani, NFL Wide Receiver Greg Stefan, NHL All-Star Sherwood Stewart, Wimbledon Champion Dale Tallon, NHL All-Star Ralph Terry, New York Yankees Pitcher Mickey Tettleton, MLB All-Star Catcher Joe Theismann, NFL Quarterback Gorman Thomas, All-Star Major Leaguer Jim Thorton, former Chicago Bear Tight End Billy Joe Tolliver, NFL Quarterback Andy Van Slyke, All-Star Center Fielder Darren Veitch, NHL Standout Pete Weber, Pro – Bowler Ed Westfall, NHL All – Star Walter Ray Williams, Hall of Fame Bowler Adrian Young, Grammy Award Winning Drummer
Contact:
Susie Chang
847.850.2471, schang@kempersports.com
Kristin Schaner
847.480.4850, kschaner@kempersports.com
