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February 6, 2008
FIRST EVENT EVER TO BE HONORED BY THE ORGANIZATION
DETRIOT (Jan. 23, 2008) - The storied history and prestige of the Buick Open will be honored at the Michigan Sports Hall
of Fame (MSHOF) 53rd Annual Induction Ceremony Present by Big Boy Restaurant on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. The Buick Open is
the first event o receive this distinguished honor.
"The rich and proud history of the Buick Open is one of the great sporting institutions in the state of Michigan," said
Tony Michaels, CEO Big Boy Restaurants and MSHOF chairman. "The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame strives to honor not only the
outstanding performance of individual athletes, but also to celebrate events that have become iconic milestones on the calendar
of sports fans around the great state of Michigan such as the Buick Open."
Buick is the original corporate sponsor of the PGA TOUR. The inaugural Buick Open took place in 1958 at Warwick Hills
Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc. Billy Casper captured the $9.000 first prize and a new Buick for his efforts. The
Buick Open, currently one of the more popular events on the PGA TOUR among professionals, now has a purse of five million
dollars.
"We are excited to be the first event honored by the Michgan Sports Hall of Fame," said Larry Peck, Buick Golf Marketing
Manager. "This is a very special day for everyone at Buick and Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club. We look forward to
continuing the tradition of outstanding tournament golf in Michigan."
Some of the greats to play in the Buick Open are Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez,
Tommy Bolt, Miller Barber, Don January, Julius Boros, Tom Weiskoff, Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw, Brad Faxon, Fred Couples, Justin
Leonard and Vijay Singh.
The Buick Open has a strong tradition of charitable giving in Southeast Michigan. The tournament has raised $8.8 million
for area charities. The 2008 Buick Open will take place during the week of June 23-29. A special 50th anniversary celebration
will take place leading up to, and during, the tournament.
Tickets to the event at Max M. Fisher Music Center are $250 for a VIP package which includes prime seating, a special 5
p.m. reception with inductees and MSHOF members, a 6 p.m. strolling supper and the 7:30 p.m. induction ceremony in Orchestra
Hall, and a $150 ticket* (*$75 for ages eight to 12) which includes the strolling supper and the induction ceremony. For
the first-time, $35 "upper deck" balcony-level tickets are also available to the induction ceremony including a limited-edition
commemorative Class of 2007 poster. All tickets can be purchased at www.detoitsymphony.com
by calling 313-576-1111, or in-person at the detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall box office at 3711 Woodward Avenue.
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame is a 501@3 non-profit organization.
Source: The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Contacts:
Jim Starck, Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 248-473-0656
Kurt Kosmowski, The Kosmowski Group 248-346-4360
Al Abrams, Buick Open 646-210-7016
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