Turning Stone Resort CEO withdraws from tournament

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VERONA, N.Y. -- Turning Stone Resort CEO Ray Halbritter announced Sunday night that he has withdrawn from the field of this week's Turning Stone Resort Championship at Atunyote Golf Club.

Halbritter, an avid golfer who has passed the PGA of America's Player Ability Test, had previously been in the field on a sponsor's exemption.

"My intention in qualifying to be eligible to play in our Turning Stone Resort Championship was to participate in a competitive opportunity which any golfer would enjoy," Halbritter said in a statement released by the Oneida Nation, which owns Turning Stone.

"In addition, given the responsibilities of my position as I mentioned in some interviews on the exemption issue, I wanted to use the platform afforded by our event to show the public, particularly American Indian youth, what can be accomplished by someone with a challenging background who puts his mind and heart into it.

"My goal was to celebrate, not detract from, our wonderful tournament, its players and fans. The focus this week should be on the great game of golf and enjoying the exciting competition on the course.

"I do not want my participation to distract from our Championship and the talented professionals who have chosen to compete here. So I have decided to withdraw from my place in the field and to award it to another golfer to play this week.

"I hope our golf community will join me in celebrating a terrific week of golf and all of the fun and festivities which our team has worked so hard to present for them here at Turning Stone."