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The Nationwide Tour and Wayne Gretzky announced Monday that the Wayne Gretzky Foundation will host a new tournament in Canada beginning in 2008.

Wayne Gretzky enjoys a round of golf at the Nationwide Tour's celebrity pro-am in Greenville, S.C. (Badz/WireImage)

Count Jon Mills, a 2007 member of the Nationwide Tour and huge hockey fanatic, amongst those jealous of the 2008 Nationwide Tour members who now have a chance to play with The Great One.

"I kinda wish they had had the tournament this year," said Mills, a 2007 graduate of the Nationwide Tour who moves to the PGA TOUR in 2008 after finishing in THE 25 in '07. "If [my schedule] worked out that'd be awesome to get up there and play it.

"I met [Gretzky] for the first time this year at the BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs," Mills said, adding that he occupies much of his free time in the winter either playing hockey or cheering for his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins. "It was the first time I'd ever met him. [Being from Ontario, Canada], I obviously grew up watching him so it was great to meet him."

This will be the first foray back to the Great White North for the Nationwide Tour since the 2005 Alberta Classic, a three-year event that was won once, appropriately, by Canadian David Hearn. Hearn grew up five blocks from Gretsky's home in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, and is one of several young Canadian golfers who've made waves in professional golf.

"Canada has really tried hard to develop young guys to have them start competing on a higher level," Mills said. "There are more guys making through q-school this year than previous years. One guy, Lee Curry, just made it through to the final stage and it will be his first time there."

With Mike Weir and the 2007 Presidents Cup highlighting Canadian golf and propelling it to the forefront of the PGA TOUR world, Mills is pleased that the TOUR's Nationwide Tour cousin is reaping some of the benefits that Canada has to offer golf.

"I think this is huge for the Nationwide Tour, especially getting an event back to Canada. ...Getting a name like Wayne's and a guy like him should help solidify a longer stay up there."

Gretzky, an avid golfer who has enjoyed participating in celebrity events on both the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour, has committed to play in the Classic and is excited to host an event on the Nationwide Tour.

"I have always had tremendous respect for the Nationwide Tour and the platform it provides for aspiring golfers," said Gretzky. "I am thrilled to host an event that will recognize the hard work and dedication these players put in week after week on Tour."

The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will be held June 23-29 at The Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, located on the shores of expansive Georgian Bay, 150 km northwest of Toronto. The Nationwide Tour features PGA TOUR stars of the future with 25 PGA TOUR cards awarded at the conclusion of the season to its leading money winners.

Ford of Canada, a long-time supporter of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, has signed a three-year agreement to be the title sponsor of the event through 2010. Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc., also a long-time supporter of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, will be the presenting sponsor.

The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will feature a unique format with 160 Nationwide Tour players paired with 160 celebrities/amateurs for a minimum of two days. One professional will be paired with one celebrity or amateur on Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27 and the teams alternating between The Georgian Bay Club and Lora Bay courses both days. Ten pro/amateur teams will compete on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th for the Pro-Celebrity/Amateur title at The Georgian Bay Club.

The 160 professionals will vie for one of the Tour's largest purses, $800,099 (U.S) over 72 holes of stroke-play competition. All four rounds will be televised by GOLF CHANNEL.

"The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic is a terrific addition to the Nationwide Tour schedule," said Nationwide Tour President Bill Calfee. "It is exciting to have Canada's premiere sports legend partnering with the Tour. Golf fans of Canada will get to watch PGA TOUR stars of the future and have the unique opportunity to get close to Wayne and the many celebrities who will be participating."

The Wayne Gretzky Foundation, founded by Gretzky in 2002, will be the primary beneficiary of the event.

David Greenberg, vice president, general marketing, Ford of Canada said, "Ford of Canada has a long-standing commitment to hockey. Through our relationship with Wayne Gretzky, we are proud to support his foundation to help bring Canada's sport to kids who may not otherwise get the chance to play."

The Georgian Bay Club, designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and opened for play in 2004, was named Golf Digest's top-ranked New Private Course in Canada in 2005. The Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, which opened in 2006, was co-designed by 1996 British Open champion Tom Lehman and prominent Canadian golf course architect Thomas McBroom.

The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will be managed and operated by the Blake and Bosworth Group, Canada.