People vs. Pros returns

Orlando, Fla. – People vs. the Pros will return for the third year and will be hosted by ClubCorp’s Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas Sept. 8 through 12. Amateur golfers compete head-to-head for $300,000 against professionals from the PGA Tour and Champions Tour in a reality television event on ESPN.

“Anyone who loves to play the game of golf has at one time envisioned themselves putting their skills to the ultimate test against the best in the sport,” said Andy Batkin c.e.o. of Innovative Media Solutions. “People vs. the Pros is where those dreams can be realized, and they don’t get much better than Ben Crenshaw and Justin Leonard, the ‘dream team’ that gave us all the thrill of a lifetime in 1999 with Ben’s ‘good feeling about today’ and Justin’s stellar pressure putt that resulted in the most stunning comeback victory in Ryder Cup history. This pair of Texans has been magic together and we expect them to add a great deal of excitement to People vs. the Pros in 2005.”

Two amateurs played last summer at the 2004 BASF People vs. the Pros at Pinehurst, where John Sniegowski of Cadillac, Mich. defeated John Daly two and one in the 49-and-under age division and Phil Johnson of McKinney, Texas, defeated Gary McCord in a sudden death playoff in the 50-and-over age division.

Batkin announced that BASF would be presenting sponsor of the 2005 People vs. the Pros. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has signed on for a second year and will be an official sponsor of the event that will be televised in prime time on ESPN Sept. 19. The Golf Digest Cos. will be the official magazine group of the 2005 People vs. the Pros and will initiate a major promotional and awareness program utilizing its Golf Digest and Golf World publications as well as its Web site, www.golfdigest.com.

“Sponsoring this event gives BASF a national platform to recognize the professional dedication of golf course superintendents,” says Dr. Toni Bucci, business manager for BASF Turf & Ornamental. “BASF is proud to sponsor local tournaments specifically for golf course superintendents, and host those winners during their 2005 People vs. the Pros tournament experience. It’s our way of saluting the crucial work of superintendents to the golf industry.”

Amateurs can play, pay or win a chance to compete in the 2005 People vs. the Pros. United States and Canadian amateur golfers over 18 years of age with an established handicap have three ways to qualify: through local qualifying tournaments being played June 18 through July 17; by bidding for a slot on eBay; or by entering the People vs. the Pros Sweepstakes on the event’s Web site, www.pvpgolf.com, to win one of 10 slots in each division.

A total of 244 amateur golfers divided equally in two age categories, 18 to 49 and 50 & over, will travel to Austin to play a three-day, 54-hole handicapped stroke-play finals competition at Barton Creek Resort & Spa Sept. 8 through 11. Two winners – one in each age group – will advance to the grand prize match, an 18-hole match play round played Sept. 12 on Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s signature Fazio Foothills course. Total purse is $300,000 with $100,000 to each winner and $50,000 to the runners-up.

“We’re thrilled to be the 2005 host site for such a prestigious nationally televised golf event,” says Jack Bickart, Barton Creek Resort & Spa vice president of sales. “The reputation of People vs. the Pros as one of golf’s most dynamic events paired with Texas’ premiere golf resort is the perfect combination for an outstanding event.”

The 49 & under age division winner will face Justin Leonard. The 50 & over age division winner will play Ben Crenshaw, a two-time Masters Champion and 19-time PGA Tour titleist.

“I’m delighted to be playing in this great event with my good friend Justin Leonard at a course I know and love,” says Crenshaw. “Barton Creek Resort & Spa is an outstanding facility and I’m sure all the golfers are going to have a great experience. After the first two years, the pros are down three to one. Justin and I plan to even that score on our home turf this year.”

In addition, BASF announced that it would again sponsor qualifying tournaments for regional GCSAA chapters to send 18 golf course superintendents to compete in the three-day finals. BASF will also host the second annual BASF Superintendent’s Cup, where the two golf course superintendents with the lowest net scores from the three-day finals event will compete in head-to-head match play for a grand prize of $10,000 in cash and free BASF products for their home course. The second place finisher in the BASF Superintendent’s Cup will receive a cash prize of $5,000. The BASF Superintendent’s Cup will be played on Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Fazio Foothills course in conjunction with the People vs. the Pros grand prize match Sept. 12. Highlights of that match will be featured in the prime time Sept. 19 ESPN telecast.

“We are pleased to be a sponsor for People vs. the Pros for a second year, “ said GCSAA president Mark Woodward, CGCS. “The event was enjoyable from the viewer’s perspective, did an excellent job of showcasing the extraordinary commitment and talents of our superintendents, and stirred a lot of interest and excitement among our staff and members. This is a natural for us and we look forward to lending our support to grow the local qualifier program this year. We are grateful to BASF for all they are doing to recognize the efforts of our members. It’s a good partnership.”