Non-profit agencies benefit from proceeds of women’s professional golf tournament at award-winning course
(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club (http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) at the Island Resort & Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has officially opened for its 2012 season, and is actively preparing for the Island Resort Championship in late June.
Golfers can play the championship course until mid-June, with overnight stay-and-play rates starting at $95 per night midweek. The popular Perfect Foursome golf package combines golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club, and nearby TimberStone and Greywalls courses, starting at $265 per person for three rounds and two nights’ stay, midweek.
Following its successful outcome last year, the 2012 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass ticket program has officially launched this week as well, benefiting over 50 nonprofit local organizations by giving them the ability to sell golf tournament tickets and keep 100% of the profit.
Three-day passes are now on sale for $10 for the June 29-July 1 Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA event, via participating regional organizations, which range from local Boy Scout troops to Habitat for Humanity chapters. A complete list of charities currently selling tickets can be found at http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/lpga-2012. Children 18 and under can enter the championship gates for free.
“We’re excited to continue the positive momentum and strong community support for our 2012 tournament,” said Tom McChesney, Island Resort & Casino General Manager. “Those community leaders and ticket sales participants became our most avid fans for the inaugural championship, and we can’t wait to see them in the gallery to support these rising professional stars this year.”
The Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, presented by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, will welcome 144 professional women golfers to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to vie for a $110,000 purse. This is the second of a three-year commitment by the Tour to bring professional golf to the region.
Participating organizations currently selling 2012 tickets include the Escanaba, Wells and Menominee Lions Clubs; Delta County Youth Association; Marquette United Way; Habitat for Humanity of Menominee River and Boy Scout Troop 466, among others in both Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. A complete list of participating organizations can be found at http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/lpga-2012.
The Island Resort & Casino will also donate an additional $100 to each qualifying non-profit organization for each player that scores an eagle (two under par) during the three-day tournament. The organization that sells the most tickets could receive matching funds of at least $1,000 or more in 2012.
Over 80 organizations raised $1,000 on average by participating in the Island Resort & Casino’s innovative ticket sales program last year. Many have re-signed as the community sales force for the professional golf tournament in 2012.
Tickets will also be available at the entrance gate during the week of the Championship, a 54-hole stroke play tournament, but the IRC committee encourages spectators to seek community ticket salespersons, first. Those who cannot find a volunteer may visit the Island Showroom ticket office or call 877-ISL-GREEN to purchase tickets via phone. Purchase of a three-day pass also includes a complimentary one-day pass to the YMCA of Delta County.
Golfers can play the championship course until mid-June, with overnight stay-and-play rates starting at $95 per night midweek. The popular Perfect Foursome golf package combines golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club, and nearby TimberStone and Greywalls courses, starting at $265 per person for three rounds and two nights’ stay, midweek.
For more information on the Island Resort Championship or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please see http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or call 800-ISL-GREEN.
About the Championship
Welcoming the world’s brightest new talent in women’s professional golf, the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass is a Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA event held at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The 54-hole stroke-play event will be held June 29-July 1, 2012, the second of a three-year commitment by the Symetra Tour. Located in Harris, Michigan, Sweetgrass Golf Club is situated at the Island Resort & Casino, and is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community of the Potawatomi Nation. For more information, see sweetgrassgolfclub.com.
About the Symetra Tour
The Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA, is the official developmental tour of the LPGA and enters its 32nd competitive season in 2012. With the support of its new umbrella sponsor, Symetra, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. 2012 marks the first season that the top-10 money winners will receive full, equal status for the following season on the LPGA Tour. The 2012 schedule includes 16 tournaments with stops in 11 U.S. states and Mexico and a total purse of $1.76 million. With more than 500 alumnae moving on to the LPGA, former Symetra Tour players have won a total of 362 LPGA titles, including 39 major championships. Symetra Tour events have contributed more than $5 million to charitable organizations throughout the nation since 1989. Follow the Symetra Tour on the web at www.SymetraTour.com, Facebook.com/RoadtotheLPGA, Twitter.com/Road2LPGA, and YouTube.com/Road2LPGA.
About Sweetgrass and the Island Resort & Casino
The Sweetgrass Golf Club, site of the 2011 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass (an LPGA Futures Tour stop), was designed by Michigan-native Paul Albanese and opened in 2008. It was named a Top 20 Courses You Can Play in Michigan by GOLF Magazine in 2010, and Best New Course by Golfweek magazine in 2009. For more information, see http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or at facebook.com/sweetgrassgolfclub
Boasting more than 1,400 slot machines and 24/7 Vegas-style gaming, the Island Resort & Casino (www.islandresortandcasino.com) offers Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and more. The Island hosts top musical acts from a variety of musical genres. Dining options include the Firekeeper’s Restaurant, Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar, Coral Reef Grille and Bingo Snack Bar. Live music in the lounge, the Club Four One nightclub, a swimming pool and conference center are other popular resort offerings. The property is easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3320
dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com
Janeen Driscoll
Buffalo Communications
910.690.9711
jdriscoll@buffalocommunications.com
twitter.com/buffalocomm
