Weekley Awarded First Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic Sponsor Exemption; MLB and NFL Stars in Pro-Am Field at Walt Disney World Resort

Filed in: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Golf Classic, Professional Sports

Pro-am field includes former MVP Joe Mauer, David Price and James Shields, and NFL stars Derrick Brooks and Ryan Longwell.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2012) – Former Ryder Cup team member and two-time PGA TOUR winner Boo Weekley received the first sponsor exemption into the season-ending Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, Nov. 8-11, at Walt Disney World Resort.

Weekley and other PGA TOUR pros will be playing alongside several sports celebrities such as three-time American League batting champ and 2009 MVP Joe Mauer,  Tampa Bay Rays players James Shields and David Price, Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, former Atlanta Braves star Fred McGriff, future NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay Bucs) and former Green Bay Packers kicker Ryan Longwell. Outside of the sports world, comedian Bill Engvall will also be a part of the Disney Classic pro-am, held during the first two official rounds of the tournament on Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses.

Weekley, a native of Milton, Fla., has two victories on the PGA TOUR, both at the Verizon Heritage (2007-08) in Hilton Head Island, S.C. This season, Weekley has two top 10 finishes, and currently ranks 121st on the money list with $660,709.

“We’re excited to add Boo to our field, and as PGA Tour fans know, he’s one of the most infectious personalities in the game,” tournament chairman Kevin Weickel said. “Most importantly, he provides another talented player to what we expect to be a strong Fall Series field.”

In last year’s exciting finale, Luke Donald strung together six straight birdies to pass Webb Simpson on the leaderboard and on the PGA TOUR money list. Donald finished with an 8-under 64 for the Classic win on his way to capturing TOUR player of the year status.

Donald joined a marquee group of former winners at Disney that includes Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Jack Nicklaus, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III and Raymond Floyd.

The Golf Channel will televise the tournament for the sixth consecutive year. The Golf Channel is scheduled to air live coverage each day.

Tickets for individual rounds ($20), badges for Classic week ($30) are available at www.CMNHospitalsClassic.com or through www.ticketmaster.com. Proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, and Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.

[Note to Reporters and Editors: To apply for working media credentials for the 2012 Children’s Miracle Network Classic, visit www.pgatourgolfmedia.com]