Annika and Darius Rucker join press conference live via Skype
(MIRAMAR BEACH, FL) – A press conference to announce new celebrity guests and other exciting updates to the inaugural ANNIKA and Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort celebrity golf and music event was held Friday, March 9 at Wine World in Grand Boulevard.
Rick Hileman, Director of Resort Golf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, announced new additions to the growing celebrity roster for the golf tournament, including actor Craig T. Nelson, Fox Business Network’s Gerri Willis, American alpine skier Bode Miller, Hall of Fame NFL lineman Anthony Muñoz and NFL running back Ricky Watters.
Other celebrities that were announced in January include Darius Rucker, John O’Hurley, Alfonso Ribeiro, Alice Cooper, Yani Tseng, Laura Diaz, Suzann Pettersen and Nancy Lopez. A complete list of celebrities and their bios can be found at www.annikaandfriends.com.
As an exciting part of Friday’s press conference, Annika spoke live via Skype with Grammy-winning country superstar and ANNIKA and Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort major concert headliner, Darius Rucker. Rucker discussed his participation in the ANNIKA & Friends Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament and exciting concert on May 13.
Wine World is the official food and beverage provider for the Darius Rucker concert. The concert will be held May 13, 2012 at 7 p.m. in Grand Boulevard. Gates open at 4 p.m. with opening acts beginning immediately thereafter. No outside food or beverage will be allowed. Stacey Brady, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Grand Boulevard, announced Friday that the new ticket pricing for children would be $25 for 12 and under and free for children 5 and under. The ticket price for adults is $59.
Annika announced Friday that anyone who has purchased a ticket or does so before March 31st will be entered to win two VIP Darius Rucker concert tickets, including VIP access, all food and beverage and a meet-and-greet with Darius Rucker after the show.
Representatives from Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Grand Boulevard and sponsoring organizations were on site to speak about their involvement in the event, as did representatives from the ANNIKA Foundation, the event’s benefiting charity organization.
The inaugural ANNIKA & Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will take place May 12 & 13, 2012. Hall of fame golfer Annika Sorenstam, along with more than 25 of her celebrity friends and famous athletes, will join in an amazing weekend filled with golf, social events and fine dining. All proceeds from the weekend will go to the ANNIKA Foundation to fund the implementation of SPARK – the leading physical education program for children in schools – in elementary schools in Northwest Florida and across the state. To learn more about this exciting event, visit www.annikaandfriends.com.
About the ANNIKA Foundation
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Foundation has partnered with key organizations to promote healthy, active lifestyles for children, including SPARK, Florida Hospital for Children in support of its Healthy 100 Kids initiative and The First Tee in development of the Nine Healthy Habits curriculum for children. The Foundation annually conducts three major golf events for aspiring junior girls, including the award-winning ANNIKA Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla., the ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills in China for top Asian juniors; and the ANNIKA Cup, a team event for the top juniors in Sweden. More information about the ANNIKA Foundation can be found at www.annikafoundation.org.
About Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the #1 resort on Florida’s Emerald Gulf Coast, and was rated among the top golf resorts in the country by leading golf magazines. It is nestled on 2,400 spectacular acres from the Beach to the Bay. The resort features 30 charming communities with 1,400 villas, town home and condominiums and the finest in Destin, Florida area accommodations. Sandestin is part of South Walton, which was named as one of the top destinations in the world to visit by Frommer’s Travel Guide. Sandestin also features four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, a fitness center and spa, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a 29-acre village featuring boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants and nightlife.
About Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard is the shop, dine, play and stay Town Center located on Northwest Florida’s Beaches. Based on the prominent mixed-use architectural model, Grand Boulevard offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to a multitude of exclusive shopping and dining options, entertainment, professional services, corporate offices and lodging. Grand Boulevard is a Howard Group and Merchants Retail Partners property. For more information, please call (850) 654-5929 or visit www.grandboulevard.com.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
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Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
