Greg Norman and Merrill Lynch announced the purse for the 2007 Merrill Lynch Shootout will be $2.8 million - the largest prize in the annual event's 19-year history.

The Shootout's record purse will attract 24 world-class professional golfers, who will compete December 5 - 9 at the Norman-designed Tiburón Golf Club on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, FL for the seventh consecutive year.

The top three available players from the 2007 PGA TOUR Money List and the top ten available players from the PGA TOUR Career Money List will join defending champions Jerry Kelly and Rod Pampling for the elite 12-team competition.

Teams will compete in a modified alternate shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. The winning team will share a tournament record $700,000.

"With the support of Merrill Lynch and our other corporate partners we have been fortunate to raise the purse significantly each of the last ten years, and that helps us attract a world-class field," Tournament Founder and Host Greg Norman said. "Couple that with the tremendous support of the Naples community and we will once again have a great event this year that achieves our goal of raising money and awareness for children's charities."

WCI Communities, Inc is offering Merrill Lynch Shootout supporters an exclusive opportunity to play Tiburón Golf Club, Raptor Bay, & Pelican Preserve for a discounted rate of $65 per person. This Taste of WCI preview rate includes golf cart and is valid through the end of April. For tee time reservations please call the golf shop numbers listed in your Taste of WCI booklet. Reservations will be taken 48 hours in advance. Don't miss this chance to play some of WCI's finest courses before your Taste of WCI booklets become valid once again!

Just a friendly reminder - Be sure and dust off your 2006 A Taste of WCI booklets as they become valid once again on May 15th. Use your vouchers all summer long to play WCI's finest golf courses including Tiburón Golf Club, host course for the Merrill Lynch Shootout.

As you enjoy your summer golf, don't forget to reserve your 2007 A Taste of WCI copy. Advance reservations for the 2007 booklet will be taken beginning June 1, 2007. This tremendous package will be sure to sell out for the 4th straight year, so don't miss your chance, reserve today!

The Merrill Lynch Shootout congratulates Bob Uroda for winning the 2007 Masters Fantasy Challenge. After four intense days of competition, Bob earned $1,547,753 in Masters winnings as he narrowly defeated a very competitive field. For his efforts, Bob has won two weekly passes to the 2007 Merrill Lynch Shootout. Congratulations Bob!

Interested in joining the exclusive group of Merrill Lynch Shootout Volunteers? Please contact the Merrill Lynch Shootout tournament office at (239) 254-9770 or email Rob Hartman at rob.hartman@gwse.com to be added to our Volunteer Waitlist! This summer we will be selecting a number of new volunteers to join our team.