Visit these links for key information on the 2010 Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung:

Event Schedule / Event Map / Group Pairings

Click here for more information on the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic.

We are now accepting registrations for the 2010 Volunteer Group.   The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic, presented by Samsung, Canada’s only Nationwide Tour event, will be held at The Georgian Bay Club and the Raven at Lora Bay from July 8th to 11th.

A tournament is only as good as its volunteers, and that is why I am hoping you will join in making this event a huge success.

There are several committees available, such as player registration, transportation, walking scoring, and admissions to name a few. You can also get a group together (friends, golf course, charity group or sports group) and represent your group by Marshalling one or more golf holes.

We are requesting that each volunteer work a minimum of three days due to the schedule requirements of the Nationwide Tour. Each volunteer will benefit from the following volunteer package at no charge:

• One (1) volunteer golf shirt
• Volunteer hat
• Volunteer badge
• 1 tournament guest ticket
• Invite to the Volunteer Appreciation Party (hosted Sunday, July 11)
• Complimentary meal and beverages on scheduled work days
• Complimentary shuttled parking

We invite you to join the excitement. Please feel free to spread the word and invite friends and family to join the volunteer group as we work to make the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic a success. Register Now.

Thank you!

Kelly Dixon
Volunteer Coordinator, Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic

Click here for more information on the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic.

As an official PGA Nationwide Tour event, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung returns for its third year and features celebrities and amateurs paired with 160 professionals in a Pro-Am formatted golf tournament.

When:

• July 5-7 – Practice Rounds
• July 8-9 – Tournament Play
• July 10-11 – Final Round

Where:

• Georgian Bay Club (July 5-11) and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay (July 5-9)

Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay are nestled beautifully in the Thornbury / Collingwood area, just one hour from Toronto, Ontario.

Further details, including players, media accreditation, ticket sales and volunteer registration will be disclosed in the coming months.  Keep checking www.gretzky.com/golf for details.

Wayne’s second annual Nationwide Tour golf tournament finished with Roger Tambellini earning the victory with a  20-under 265 score, taking the $144,018 USD prize purse and the coveted Gretzky champion’s ring.  Read More

Article by Don Schwartz, WG Authentic / Visit Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung

Canadian golfer Derek Gillespie has been waiting for his big break.

Little did the up-and-coming golfer know that his moment would come on a Golf Channel reality show and that the only thing standing between him and taking another step towards his ultimate goal of a PGA Tour card would be 99 yards.

Holding a slim lead on the last hole in the final showdown of the Big Break XI reality competition show, Gillespie’s SkyCaddie showed that he was 99 yards away from the pin and the $100,000 grand prize. For the lifelong hockey fan who wore the Wayne Gretzky 99 Silhouette Cap throughout the show’s taping, the symbolism was strong, though it didn’t dawn upon him until after the fact.

“I saw that I had 99 yards, but I just wanted to hit the green, get it in and scrape it in the hole and win it,” Gillespie said. “It was actually when I got to settle down and have something to eat, drink and do interviews that I was asked about having 99 yards and wearing the 99 hat. It was just kind of neat how everything worked out.”

The win was the crowning moment for The Big Break, which filmed its 11th season on Prince Edward Island. Each week featured skill contests between the contestants, with one of the original 12 – six men, six women – being eliminated after each episode. Though the competitors were all skilled in golf, show business was a different story.

“You were just worried about hitting your shots and trying to control your nerves in front of those cameras, because it can get pretty nerve racking when you see 25 cameras on you,” Gillespie said. “They literally follow your every move. To hit a touch shot, even from 100 yards, is pretty difficult when you’ve got all these distractions. But overall it was a pretty neat and different experience from what I’m used to, just playing golf.”

Also a distraction was the days immediately following the show’s taping, which actually ended last September. Contestants had to sign confidentiality papers prior to the taping, so Gillespie had to keep his life-altering victory a secret until the final episode aired.

“It was tough for the first couple of weeks, but as time went on it got easier because it had all sunk in for me that it was over and I was just trying to move on and think about what I need to do to get on the PGA Tour,” he said. “I’ve been asked so many times ‘Did you win? Did you win?’ But for me it was eight months ago. It wasn’t that big of a deal until the final episode aired recently and I was bombarded with phone calls, Facebook messages, e-mails and interviews. I’m pretty excited for it to be over so I can finally collect that money. But I’m looking forward to the opportunities it brings as well.”

One such opportunity is the chance to play in the upcoming Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung. For the Oshawa native, the tournament poses double pressure – playing alongside some of hockey’s greats, while also having the chance to compete on the Nationwide Tour.

Not that Gillespie feels that pressure.

“You just try to do your own deal and do the best you can,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s a game and I’m going to have fun with whomever I’m playing with and chat it up. I do understand that it’s important and there’s a lot of money to be won and if I did win and that it could change my life – I’m halfway to the PGA Tour if that happens. I think I play my best golf when I’m relaxed out there and kind of chatting it up and having fun.”

Chances are good that Gillespie will once again be wearing the 99 silhouette somewhere on his attire when he tees off next week in Collingwood. While he makes his living on the greens, a bit of his heart is always on the ice.

“Wayne’s always been an idol of mine,” Gillespie said. “I’ve always looked up to him. I remember when I was a kid growing up in Oshawa that I couldn’t stay up long enough to watch the games out in Edmonton on the West Coast. So before my dad went to work he would always let me know who won before I went to school. This was in the Oilers’ heyday when they were winning all those cups and I was a young kid. He’s an icon in Canada. He’s a great person. He gives back. I couldn’t find somebody better to represent. He’s kind of the ultimate athlete in Canada.”

Given his recent big break, young golf fans may soon be tuning in to see how Gillespie did the previous day. Of course fans can also tune into the Golf Channel’s coverage of the Wayne Gretzky Classic, which tees off July 9 – 12. For more information on the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung, visit www.gretzky.com/golf.

Article by Don Schwartz, WG Authentic / Visit Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung

THORNBURY, June 26, 2009 – Today, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung announced that Charles Barkley will once again take part in the celebrity Pro-Am tournament in Thornbury, Ontario, July 6-12, 2009.

Barkley, well-known for his “unique” golf swing, was a fan favourite at last year’s tournament and will once again tee-off against some of the best professionals in golf.

“We’re thrilled to have him back this year,” said Wayne Gretzky. “His swing certainly draws a lot of attention, but it’s his personality that really shines at these events – he’s a great guy to have around.”

Celebrities taking part include:

• Wayne Gretzky
• Janet Gretzky
• Damon Allen
• Donovan Bailey
• Charles Barkley
• Cassie Campbell
• Javier Colon
• Brett Hull
• Ed Jovanoski
• Catriona Lemay Doan
• Bob McCown
• Darren Pang
• Gino Reda
• Steve Stamkos
• Marty Turco

Tickets and other information are available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

For more information, including media credentials, please contact:

Mark James
Cohn & Wolfe
647-259-3269
mark.james@cohnwolfe.ca

-30-

ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

Coming to Thornbury, Ontario, July 6-12, 2009, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung will provide fans with the opportunity to watch 160 professionals play with celebrities and amateurs in a pro-am style tournament. As an official Nationwide Tour stop, players will be competing for one of the year’s largest purses at $800,099, with all four rounds televised LIVE on the Golf Channel. Two courses will host the tournament – the Georgian Bay Club and The Raven Golf Club at Lora bay – with proceeds from the tournament to benefit the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. Further information, including tickets and volunteer opportunities, can be found at www.gretzky.com/golf.

THORNBURY, June 23, 2009 – Today, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung announced 12 new celebrity golfers who will tee-off with the Great One when the tournament returns to Thornbury, Ontario, July 6-12, 2009.

Celebrities taking part include:

• Wayne Gretzky
• Janet Gretzky
• Damon Allen
• Donovan Bailey
• Mike Cammalleri
• Cassie Campbell
• Javier Colon
• Brett Hull
• Ed Jovanoski
• Catriona Lemay Doan
• Bob McCown
• Darren Pang
• Gino Reda
• Steve Stamkos
• Marty Turco

“I’m excited to see so many great athletes and personalities getting on board and joining us this year,” said Wayne Gretzky. Everyone had a great time last year and loved sharing the course with the Pros, as well as all the fans.”

Tickets, and further information, are now available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

For more information, including media credentials, please contact:
Mark James
Cohn & Wolfe
647-259-3269
mark.james@cohnwolfe.ca

-30-

ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

Coming to Thornbury, Ontario, July 6-12, 2009, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung will provide fans with the opportunity to watch 160 professionals play with celebrities and amateurs in a pro-am style tournament. As an official Nationwide Tour stop, players will be competing for one of the year’s largest purses at $800,099, with all four rounds televised LIVE on the Golf Channel. Two courses will host the tournament – the Georgian Bay Club and The Raven Golf Club at Lora bay – with proceeds from the tournament to benefit the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. Further information, including tickets and volunteer opportunities, can be found at www.gretzky.com/golf.

Article by Don Schwartz, WG Authentic / Visit Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung

Upon arriving at last year’s Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung, Nationwide Tour golfer Justin Hicks paused when he noticed his locker number. The lifelong hockey fan from Michigan couldn’t help but wonder whether the random locker assignment was a harbinger of good things to come. The coincidence seemed too perfect.

That locker number? Ninety-nine, of course.

“Seeing locker No. 99 for the Wayne Gretzky tournament was pretty interesting and a positive little thing that went into the back of my head, like ‘Wow, that’s kind of neat. Maybe it’ll be my week or something,’” said Hicks, who went on to win last year’s classic. “Sometimes you need a little something like that to get you thinking that things are going to go your way.”

More than coincidence, of course, is needed to win at the Wayne Gretzky Classic, an annual pro-am style stop on the Nationwide Tour. This year’s classic is set for July 6 – 12 at the Georgian Bay Club and the Raven at Lora Bay in Collingwood, Ontario and features a slew of celebrities and former professional athletes paired with fellow amateurs and players on the Nationwide Tour.

“I think there’s a neat alignment with the hockey playing celebrities and the professionals on the Nationwide Tour,” said Jim Duncan, Nationwide Tour Tournament Director. “I think the road to the top level has a lot of similarities. I don’t think there’s ever been a hockey player that hasn’t had to take a 13-hour drive in a bus or had to drive to get to one place or another. I think our players really enjoy the fact that a lot of them get to play with professional athletes in a pro-am format.”

There’s a certain connection that gets made each year between the golfers and the celebrity amateurs, especially the former athletes who have been bitten by the golf bug since retiring from the sport where they first excelled.

“I think a lot of them watch us play and realize that while they were obviously once at the top of their sports, we’re at the top of ours,” Hicks said. “I think they definitely appreciate what we do. There have been times when I’ve played in other pro-am events and they’re just as interested in us as we are in them, asking things like ‘How did you hit that shot’ or ‘What were you thinking.’ Once you were a professional athlete in one sport it transfers over and they want to be as good as they can be in other sports too. They’re used to being around the crowds and knowing what it’s like to perform under pressure. I think that they really appreciate that with what we do with our games.”

Fans attending the Wayne Gretzky Classic will also appreciate the quality of play from the Nationwide Tour professionals. Generally thought of as a stepping stone to the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour has grown to become one of the most respected and competitive golf tours in the game today. Players on the Nationwide Tour such as Brian Gay, Jason Gore, Michael Sim and Camilo Villegas have gone on to success on the PGA Tour, while some golfers that have earned their PGA Tour playing card continue to compete in an occasional Nationwide Tour event.

“The gap between guys playing on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour has gotten pretty slim,” Duncan said. “I don’t think the public knows how close that gap is. But I think when they get out and see how good these guys can play, it’s pretty shocking.”

Hicks understands the tough competition that exists on the Nationwide Tour and expects nothing less at this year’s Wayne Gretzky Classic. A repeat victory is anything but a sure thing, though he does expect to draw upon last year’s success in Collingwood and his familiarity with both the courses and the area, which is the closest stop on the tour to his home and family in Michigan.

Of course, luck sometimes plays a role in sports and it’s yet to be seen who will find himself face-to-face with locker No. 99.

“I’m kind of interested to see what goes on with that,” Hicks said. “I don’t like to read too much into things like that, but it would certainly be a nice thing to see if I show up and get No. 99 again. I just think that Wayne has done so much for hockey and his country that anytime you’re able to draw some energy from that I think it’s a positive thing to have in your favor.”

Article by Don Schwartz, WG Authentic / Visit Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung

Blue Mountains – The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic, presented by Samsung is partnering with the Blue Mountains to host a Junior Clinic for area youth featuring professional golfers from the Nationwide Tour, on Tuesday, July 7th at 3 pm at The Georgian Bay Club.

“We are excited to host an event of this caliber for our area youth”, said Joanna Garland, Youth Advisor for the Blue Mountains.  “It’s a great opportunity for aspiring junior golfers to see what it takes to be a Nationwide Tour Professional”.

The Clinic will feature a minimum of five Nationwide Tour Professionals, hosting a skills exhibition, followed by the pros working with youth individually on the driving range.  The clinic is best suited to youth ages 7 to 17 years.  Youth are invited to bring a golf club with them.  Parents are welcome to stay and take photos. The event is free of charge and participants are asked to park at The Georgian Bay Club. The professionals participating in the clinic will also be part of the 160 Nationwide professionals competing for a $800,900 purse in the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic.  The tournament features professionals, amateurs and celebrities
competing over four days.  The entire tournament will be filmed on the Golf Channel.

The tournament takes place from Thursday, July 9 to Sunday July 12.  Spectators are welcome, tickets are available for $15, children 12 years and under are free.

For more information on the Junior Clinic, please contact Joanna Garland at (519) 599-3131 ext 303.  Tournament information is available at www.gretzky.com/golf

-30-

Media contact: Mark James, Cohn&Wolfe
phone: 416.924.5700 ext. 4086 | direct: 647-259-3269 | email:
mark.james@cohnwolfe.ca

This year, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung is pleased to announce we have launched our ‘Tickets for Charity’ program.  In order to support the local community, we have invited local charities to participate in ticket sales.  For every daily pass sold, the participating organization makes half the net profit ($6.64). The Wayne Gretzky Foundation through the Tournament, benefits from the proceeds of the other half of the ticket. Therefore the tickets are one hundred percent charitable!

The following organizations will be selling tickets on behalf of the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic until June 30th, 2009.  Tickets are also available on-line on this site.  The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic will be played at The Raven at Lora Bay and The Georgian Bay Club in the Blue Mountains, July 6 – 12th.   Thank you for your support!

Participating Charities:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgain Triangle – (705) 445-2330

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin and District – (519) 941-6431

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hanover and District – (519) 364-1444

Big Brothers of Owen Sound – (519) 376-4449

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia – (705) 325-3151

Beaver Valley Outreach – (519) 599-2577

Beaver Valley Athletic Association – (519) 599-1089

The Blue Mountains Public Library – (519) 599-3681

The North East Grey Health Clinics/Meaford Hospital Foundation – (519) 599-6953

Elephant Thoughts – (705) 445-0822

Collingwood Figure Skating Club – (705) 720-4501

Collingwood United Soccer Club

Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation

Children’s Aid Society – Grey County – (519) 376-7829

Pretty River Academy

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – (705) 726-6421 x 240