The 3rd Annual Junior Pro Challenge
sponsored by Michigan International Speedway

AREA JUNIORS: WIN A SPOT IN THE WENDY'S CHARITY CLASSIC!
Tee It Up with an LPGA Pro

Mid-Michigan junior golfers have 2 opportunities to qualify for this year's Junior-Pro Challenge to be held Monday, August 11 at the Country Club of Jackson before the Wendy's Charity Classic Legends of the LPGA pro-am.

If you are a golfer between the ages of 13 and 18, tee it up at one of the following events to post your 9-hole score:

• Trusted Source Big “I” Junior Classic held at Cascades Golf Course on Monday, June 23
  Contact: Joe Wolfe at (517) 787-1704
• R.W. Mercer Jackson Junior Golf Tour event at Calderone Farms on Wednesday, June 25
  Contact: Dave Gilpin at (517) 688-4046

These events are a mix of 9 and 18 hole competitions based on age level. Only the score from your first 9 holes will be posted to the qualifying list for the Junior Pro Challenge, whether you play 9 or 18. If you play in both events, the better of your two front 9 holes scores will be final.

Once you have entered one or both of these tournaments and have arrived that morning to play, see the Wendy's Charity Classic representative at Registration to submit your name BEFORE YOU TEE OFF. After you are finished, please post your front 9 score with the pro shop to the Wendy's Charity Classic Qualifier list. Following the two events, all scores will be ranked and the Top Ten boys and Top Ten girls will be invited to team up with a pro for the challenge on August 11.

If you qualify, you will be paired with a Legend of the LPGA on the range at the Country Club of Jackson. You and your pro will hit 30 numbered balls toward a target about 125 yards away. Your peers and their pros will be hitting balls at the same time for a total of 600 numbered balls. Whoever hits closest to the pin (even if your pro does it for you!) wins a spot in the Wendy's Charity Classic pro-am and you get to play 18 holes with a pro at the Country Club for the rest of the day!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:
Sue Fracker, Director of Events
The Legends Tour
sfracker@jbcgolf.com
617.225.0008 ext 105

Qualify for 3^rd Annual M.I.S. Junior-Pro Challenge at Area Junior Golf Events

(Jackson, MI) – On August 11, 2008, 20 junior golfers will compete for a playing spot in the 8^th annual Wendy’s Charity Classic, a Legends Tour pro-am featuring Hall of Famers Pat Bradley and JoAnne Carner, 16-time LPGA winner Jan Stephenson and many more. Sponsored by Michigan International Speedway, the “Take a Shot with a Pro! Junior-Pro Challenge” pairs 20 area juniors with 20 Legends Tour pros on the range before the pro-am shotgun.  

Each junior-pro team hits 30 numbered balls toward a pin about 125 yards away. The closest shot wins that junior a spot in the Wendy’s Charity Classic. Last year’s winner, Aaron Miles of Mason, aced his wedge and played 18 holes with 1992 Oldsmobile Classic Champion Barb Mucha as a result. 

“It’s a great way to start to the day,” says Mark Behm, President of Stanton & Associates, owner/operater of 61 Wendy’s in Michigan and host of the Classic since 1999. “The pros really get into hitting with the kids and every pro wants to see her junior win the big prize.”  

Fans are not only pulling for their favorite teen, they’re hoping to win something, too. The 600 numbered balls are also sold in a raffle prior to the event to raise money for adoption. Closest to the pin wins the buyer the grand prize, typically a trip to a sunny destination. “We love the fact that the kids are having fun and getting involved,” adds Behm, “and that this special event helps us bring in more funds for adoption.” Tickets for the numbered balls go on sale June 9, 2008 and are available through Family Service & Children’s Aid of Jackson. 

Junior golfers can attempt to qualify for the 2008 Junior-Pro Challenge by teeing it up in two Jackson area junior golf events: the Trusted Source Big “I” Junior Classic held at Cascades Golf Course on Monday, June 23 and the R.W. Mercer Jackson Junior Golf Tour event at Calderone Farms on Wednesday, June 25.  

Wendy’s Charity Classic representatives will be at registration for both events to take names prior to tee-off of those who wish to post their front 9 scores. Girls and boys age 13-18 are eligible and the best front 9 from either qualifying attempt will be the final score posted. Following those two events, boys and girls scores will be ranked separately and the top 10 boys and top 10 girls will be invited to compete in the M.I.S. Junior-Pro Challenge on Monday, August 11 at 9:00 a.m. on the range at the Country Club of Jackson.  

In the event the top 20 qualifiers have conflicts, spots will be filled by subsequent rankings on the qualifying list until the field is full. Qualifiers will be notified by June 30, 2008. For more information on the Trusted Source Big “I” Junior Classic at Cascades, contact Joe Wolfe at (517) 787-1704. To learn more about the R.W. Mercer Jackson Junior Golf Tour event at Calderone Farms, call Dave Gilpin at (517) 688-4046.

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