UBS Brings THE PLAYERS Championship to Rockefeller Center
 
May. 6, 2007
Visitors can play replica of TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course's famed 17th

NEW YORK -- Beginning Friday, May 4, through Sunday, May 13, visitors to Rockefeller Center will have the opportunity to take the most intimidating shot in golf at The UBS Golf Challenge: Experience THE PLAYERS Championship.

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Balls line the water bordering the Rockefeller Center replica 17th hole of the TPS Sawgrass.

The scaled replica of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course's iconic island 17th hole will serve as the centerpiece to an interactive exhibit made possible by UBS, a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS, and hosted by Tishman Speyer, co-owners of Rockefeller Center.

The exhibit coincides with the actual tournament, which will be played May 7-13 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. THE PLAYERS is one of the crown jewels on the PGA TOUR schedule and features the strongest field in professional golf.

The 1/4-scaled replica will allow fans to hit a shot to an island green surrounded by water. The exhibit will feature putting areas, as well as a full-swing net. Instructors from the new TOUR Academy, headquartered at TPC Sawgrass, will be on hand to provide tips. During THE PLAYERS' four competitive rounds May 10-13, a giant LED screen behind the challenge hole will broadcast live telecasts of the Championship -- 1-7 p.m. ET Thursday and Friday on GOLF CHANNEL, 2-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on NBC with limited commercial interruption -- as well as exclusive live streaming video of play at No. 17 via PGATOUR.com's popular LIVE@17 and highlights from past years.

"UBS is excited to be working with THE PLAYERS Championship and Rockefeller Center to bring one of the world's most famous golf holes to New York City," said Robert Wolf, Chairman and CEO, UBS Group Americas.

"The UBS Golf Challenge: Experience THE PLAYERS Championship will give people working in or visiting the city a chance to try their swing on a scaled replica of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course's signature 17th hole. UBS is a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and we feel that this is an exciting way for us to celebrate this partnership and demonstrate our commitment to golf and to the greater New York community."

The challenge hole proved to be an extremely popular addition to THE PLAYERS' on-site experience when UBS introduced it last year at TPC Sawgrass.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to team up with UBS to bring to life the passion, excitement and prestige of THE PLAYERS at Rockefeller Center," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "As THE PLAYERS continues to grow in popularity and stature, certainly an important element has been the drama and excitement generated annually by the 17th hole. Those visiting Rockefeller Center should have a lot of fun experiencing the shot, as well as absorbing some of the history of the tournament."

"We are thrilled to host UBS, the PGA TOUR and this unique golf experience at Rockefeller Center," said Thomas Madden, Managing Director, Tishman Speyer. "THE PLAYERS is one of golf's premiere championships and provides one of golf's most exciting moments when the greatest players in the world face the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. We look forward to offering visitors the same challenge and excitement at Rockefeller Center."

This has been a historic year for THE PLAYERS. Not only has the tournament moved from its traditional March slot to May, it also will be held at a new and improved TPC Sawgrass. Over the past year, the Stadium Course has had extensive infrastructural work done to assure consistently firm, fast and fair conditions to maximize the challenge, while a spectacular new 77,000 square-foot clubhouse was constructed in just 10 months, opening in time for the Championship.

The UBS Golf Challenge: Experience THE PLAYERS Championship will be open daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.rockefellercenter.com. For more information on THE PLAYERS, visit www.pgatour.com.