Each tournament winner guaranteed $5,000 first place check
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Space Coast Pro Golf Tour (SCPGT) presented by Edwin Watts Golf is back and will launch this October with more than 30 two-day tournaments to be played throughout Central Florida. Every tournament winner will be guaranteed a $5,000 first-place check (Open Division) and the top 30 percent of the field will receive a portion of the purse.
The events are scheduled and will be hosted by some of the premier resorts and championship layouts in the Orlando area. The kick-off event will be held October 21 & 22, 2013 at the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. Each event will be 36-hole, two-day tournament including a Skins Game along with hole-in-one cash prizes exceeding $10,000.
The original Space Coast Golf Tour was played throughout Central Florida in the ’70s and ’80s. Notable alumni such as PGA and Champions Tour players Kenny Perry, Mark O’Meara, Paul Azinger and Mark Calcavecchia made their initial mark on the SCPGT.
“We firmly believe the many aspiring players need and want a developmental tour which not only gives them the opportunity to compete in a highly professional manner and atmosphere but also the ability to achieve financial success while they pursue their dream of playing on the Web.com, PGA or Champions Tours,” said J.I. Bernstein and Brian Schindler, the two SCPGT owners.
In addition to the Open Division, the SCPGT will have a 47+ Senior Division and a 60+ Legends Division. Amateurs with a men’s USGA index of 3.0 or lower are eligible to play. Each tournament entry fee is $420.
Professionals who have exempt playing status on the Web.com Tour, PGA Tour or Champions Tour may not play in the SCPGT regular tournaments, but are invited to play in the Tour’s two Pro-Am events to benefit the Folds of Honor and the Make-A-Wish Foundations.
A unique feature of the SCPGT is its association with Mike Bender, ranked as one of the Top Five Best Teachers in America by Golf Digest (2011). Bender competed and won on the SCPGT during the 1980s and went on to play on the PGA Tour. The Mike Bender Academy of Golf will be the home base for SCPGT player’s practice and instructional needs.
“Mike knows what it takes both as a player and teacher to become a champion and he will be an outstanding resource for the Tour as we work to build the best possible atmosphere to help our players reach their ultimate goals in the game,” Schindler said.
Consistent with the Tour’s goal to contribute to the community, the SCPGT is aligned with charitable organizations that will benefit from the Space Coast Tour. The two charities that the Tour is supporting are The Folds of Honor Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida.
“The Space Coast Tour is honored that the proceeds from our various Pro-Am events will be distributed to these two endearing charities,” said Bernstein.
“Representatives from national and local businesses will be paired with various SCPGT players for enjoyable rounds of golf and the opportunity to develop personal and business relationships. Our basic philosophy rests on the premise that the Space Coast Tour be viewed not just as a training ground, but as an organization which also incorporates the best of community ideals.”
The SCPGT is being structured to become the finest mini tour in the country. As an added financial benefit Tour players will receive significant discounts from host courses for practice rounds and facilities as well as other discounts from SCPGT’s sponsors including lodging.
All eligible players interested in playing one or more of the Tour tournaments are encouraged to register early online at SpaceCoastProGolfTour.com.
ABOUT MIKE BENDER
Mike Bender has been recognized over the years as a top PGA professional and has won numerous PGA Teaching awards, including being named 2009 PGA of America National Teacher of the Year. Some of his students include 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd, and Lee Janzen. Numerous practice aids available at the Mike Bender Golf Academy include the revolutionary MEGSA Perfect Practice Equipment. The Academy is located on the Magnolia Plantation Golf Club at 600 Shadowmoss Circle, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Contact the Academy at 407.321.0444 or www.mikebender.com
ABOUT FOLDS OF HONOR
The Folds of Honor Foundation is rallying the nation to ensure no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, the Folds of Honor gives back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service of our country. The Foundation provides healing, hope and an opportunity for dreams to be realized. The Folds of Honor Foundation is located at 5800 N Patriot Drive, Owasso, OK 74055. Contact them at 918.274.4700 or online at
www.foldsofhonor.org
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH®
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Central and Northern Florida Chapter Office is located at 1020 N. Orlando Avenue, Suite 100 in Maitland, FL. 32751. Contact them at 407.622.4673 or wishcentralfl.wish.org
ABOUT SPACE COAST PRO GOLF TOUR
The Space Coast Pro Golf Tour (SCPGT) P.O. Box 618535 Orlando, FL 32861. All of SCPGT sponsor’s products and services will be geared toward directly bettering the SCPGT and its players. For more information about the Tour, visit SpaceCoastProGolfTour.com
Contact:
SPACE COAST TOUR
J.I. Bernstein
856.287.1801
jibernstein@spacecoastprogolftour.com
www.spacecoastprogolftour.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Leonard
Communications Director
Golf Marketing Services
407.347.7244
mike@golfmarketinginc.com
