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

Donovan Bailey among first confirmed for this year’s Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Presented by Samsung

THORNBURY, May 12, 2009 – Today, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation officially launched the return of the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung to Southern Ontario this July 6-12. This year’s tournament will be featured LIVE on the Golf Channel, and will also directly benefit 19 local charities in a new charity ticket program.

The new ticket program will allow 19 local charities from the Collingwood/Barrie area to sell tickets on behalf of the tournament, and keep 50% of the sales for their individual causes. Tickets are now available through the full list of charities below, as well as on www.gretzky.com/golf.

“I’m very excited about this ticket program, it’s definitely a win-win situation” said Glen Gretzky, Executive Director of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “For every ticket sold by these charities, they’ll receive 50% of its revenue toward their organization. It’s a great way to help the community while getting more people out to watch some of the world’s best golf talents compete.”

Also new to this year’s tournament are the first three confirmed celebrity golfers –five-time World and Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey; former NHL star Scott Thornton; and  current member of the Calgary Flames, Mike Cammalleri.

“I’m thrilled that Donovan, Scott and Mike are playing this year,” said Wayne Gretzky, Founder of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. “The celebs are fun to see and it’s also very exciting to watch some incredible golfers vie for their chance to play on the PGA tour”.

Sponsors continue to play a large role in the tournament’s success, with Ford of Canada returning as title sponsor, Samsung as the presenting sponsor and Scotiabank also on board once again. New sponsors this year include Crescent Point Energy Trust, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Nathan’s Hot Dogs. A full list of sponsors is available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

“We’re lucky to have the continued support of our sponsors,” said Wayne Gretzky. “Events like this would never happen without them, and we’re exceptionally grateful for their ongoing commitment to making this tournament something special for all Canadians.”

Returning July 6-12, 2009, the 2009 Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung will once again be played at the Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, nestled beautifully in the Thornbury / Collingwood area. As an official PGA Nationwide Tour event, celebrities and amateurs will be paired with 160 professionals in a Pro-Am format, shown LIVE on the Golf Channel. Players will once again compete for one of the largest purses on this year’s tour, $800,099. Tickets are available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

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

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About Wayne Gretzky Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation’s mission is to provide less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey. This goal will be accomplished through the donation of hockey equipment and ice time, as well as providing the opportunity for young people to attend professional hockey games. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to the physical, emotional and social growth of young people.