The Gettysburg Championship, a 2008 LPGA Duramed FUTURES Tour Official Event, Announces its Amateur Skills Challenge Events
6/9/08
Gettysburg, PA June 9, 2008 - The Gettysburg Championship, an LPGA Duramed FUTURES Tour Event, announced today that it will be holding a competition for amateur golfers in the Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland regions. The Gettysburg Championship Skills Challenge will test local amateurs against each other and provide the winners with the opportunity to take on current or former lady golfers from the Golf Channel's The Big Break reality golf series.
"This is an exciting, one-of-a-kind, opportunity for amateurs in this region to show off their skills and see if they can hold their own against professional players," said Duff Forsythe, Tournament Director for the Gettysburg Championship. "Instead of sitting around thinking you can beat a pro, let's put that to the test, let's get these amateurs out there and see how good they really are."
The Gettysburg Championship Skills Challenge Qualifying Event will be held at four different golf courses:
• Dauphin Highlands in Harrisburg, PA (July 12 at 8 a.m.)
• Honey Run Golf Club in York, PA (July 12 at 1:00 p.m.)
• Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville, MD (July 19 at 8 a.m.)
• The Bridges Golf Club in Abbottstown, PA (July 19 at 1:00 p.m.)
Amateur players will be tested in four specific areas - putting, chipping, wedge shots and iron shots. There are four specific groups of contenders - Juniors (age 12-18), Womens, Mens and Seniors, over 60. Only 25 contenders in each category at each of the four courses will be permitted, totaling 100 amateurs. In addition to competing against the Big Break players in the finals on August 2, 2008, the winners in each category will be playing in the Pro-Am Tournament at the Gettysburg Championship the week of August 18, 2008.
The four regional qualifiers will have a final competition on the morning of August 2 at The Links At Gettysburg. These four finalists will play against the Big Break Players in the afternoon. On that day the four Big Break Players that will be joining the competition will be Bri Vega, the winner of Big Break VI, Rachel Bailey, third place winner of Big Break VI, Liz Stuart, current Big Break contender and Kim Welch, current Big Break contender.
"We're thrilled to have each of these golf courses involved in this unique amateur competition and especially pleased to have Joe Corbi's Pizza and Fundraising involved as our presenting sponsor." added Mr. Forsythe. "We all believe that this is going to be a fun and challenging competition and we look forward to congratulating the winners."
About the Duramed FUTURES Tour
Called "The Road To the LPGA and Beyond," the Duramed FUTURES Tour has become the world's largest international women's developmental tour. In its 28th competitive season this year, the Tour has remained committed to developing LPGA stars of tomorrow and creating viable role models for youth today. The top-five money winners each season earn automatic exemptions for the LPGA Tour. With more than 300 alumnae as current members of the LPGA, through 2007, former Duramed FUTURES Tour players have won a total of 329 LPGA titles, including 35 major championships. Duramed FUTURES Tour events have contributed more than $4 million to charitable organizations throughout the nation since 1989. For more information, visit www.duramedFUTUREStour.com
About the Gettysburg Championship
In its third year as part of the growing LPGA Duramed FUTURES Tour, the Gettysburg Championship has become a cornerstone event on this professional women's golf tour. The Gettysburg Championship supports local charities through this event and in 2008 will not only be supporting Golf Fore Africa, but our local First Tee of the Susquehanna Valley program. The Links at Gettysburg is nestled in the hills of southern Pennsylvania and offers a challenging golf experience complete with creeks on almost every hole and red rock cliffs that add to the dramatic beauty of this course. During the three-day event, The Links will also play host to a Civil War Encampment that is free to all attendees.
