|
March 23, 2006
 Destin, Fla. - (Aug. 18, 2005) - The PGA TOUR's Champions Tour, The Boeing Company and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
are pleased to announce Raven Golf Club at Sandestin as the new home of the Boeing Championship at Sandestin. This official
$1.6 million Champions Tour event, formerly known as the Blue Angels Classic, will be played the week of May 8-14, 2006.
The Boeing Company and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort have partnered with the Champions Tour as both the new title sponsor
and new host venue respectively for this tournament, to be held annually Mother's Day week in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
"We are excited about this new partnership between Boeing, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the Champions Tour," said
Champions Tour president Rick George. "This partnership will elevate the tournament to another level and Raven Golf Club at
Sandestin will be a great test for our players and a terrific course for spectators. We welcome both Boeing and Sandestin
Golf and Beach Resort into the Champions Tour family."
The Boeing Championship at Sandestin was held for the past 11 years at The Moors Golf Club in Milton, Florida and raised
over $2 million for a variety of charities in northwest Florida. Jim Thorpe is the defending champion of the event.
"The Champions Tour would like to thank Jimmy Lee III and everyone associated with Buffalo Rock Corporation for their outstanding
support of this event over the years. Jimmy laid the groundwork for the very bright future of professional golf in northwest
Florida," George said.
"We're honored to host such a prestigious Champions Tour as the Boeing Championship at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort,"
said Mike Stange, vice-president and general manager of Sandestin. "Since 1998, we've been implementing a 10-year master plan
to further establish Sandestin as a true destination resort. The plan kicked off with the development of The Raven Golf
Club in 2000, followed by The Village of Baytowne Wharf, which with its restaurants, shops and accommodations has truly elevated
the Sandestin resort experience to another level. We're pleased for the local community that our desirability has attracted
the Champions Tour."
"We have come to an agreement with the Champions Tour that will be beneficial to the West Florida area, our military customers
as well as the Boeing Company," said John Lockard, vice president and general manager of Naval Systems for Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems, headquartered in St. Louis.
"With the great facilities at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and our new title sponsor, The Boeing Company, we're
sure to become one of the best events on the Champions Tour," said Phil Garcia, executive director of the Boeing Championship
at Sandestin. "The move insures professional golf will continue in this area and we look forward to a long relationship with
both Sandestin and Boeing. Through their support, this community event will return a significant amount of money to charity
over the next several years."
Raven Golf Club at Sandestin is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course that opened in March, 2000 and measures almost
7,000 yards from the championship tees with a par of 71. The Raven was named "Best New Course In Florida" in 2000 and "No.
1 Course in Northwest Florida" by Florida Golf News. The course has received a four-star rating from Golf Digest's Places
To Play in 2002 and 2004.
To make reservations at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, call the reservations department at 800/470-7389 or book online
at www.sandestin.com/pr.asp.
|
