NAPLES, Fla. - With a $100,000 boost to the Franklin Templeton Shootout purse, the 24 professionals competing this year will vie for the largest prize in the event's 17-year history. The winning team will share a tournament-record $630,000. This is the eighth consecutive year the purse has increased, and the total prize money has now climbed to $2.6 million.

"Continued support from Southwest Florida coupled with corporate partners like Merrill Lynch has allowed us to again raise the bar," tournament founder and host Greg Norman said. "With the increased purse we are sure to again attract some of the best golfers in the world and raise significant funds for charity."

For the fifth consecutive year, the Franklin Templeton Shootout will be contested at the Norman-designed Tiburón Golf Club on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. Tickets for the tournament, which will be played November 9-13, will go on sale in early September. A Taste of WCI, a wildly successful ticket package that offers more than 40 rounds of golf at 10 WCI championship courses for cart fee only, will be available again this year.

THE MASTERS FANTASY CHALLENGE:

As spring draws near, the magnolias begin to bloom, the azaleas start to blossom, and the world's best golfers take aim at the challenges of Augusta National. "A tradition unlike any other", The Masters is very often the highlight of the golf calendar each year.

In 2005, the Franklin Templeton Shootout is offering some added excitement in conjunction with the year's first major championship. The Masters Fantasy Challenge will not only give you a rooting interest in what is sure to be an exciting tournament, but it will also give you the opportunity to win some terrific prizes from the Franklin Templeton Shootout.

How to Play:

1. Select Five (5) players from this year's Masters field
   • At least One (1) must be a past champion of the Franklin Templeton Shootout: Fred Couples, David Duval, Raymond Floyd, Jay Haas, Davis Love III, Mark O'Meara
   • Be sure to check for updates to The Masters field as players may be added through the completion of The Players Championship
2. Once you have selected your Five (5) Fantasy Team members, please e-mail them to Larson.Segerdahl@gwse.com
   • Teams must be received no later then Wednesday April 6th
3. Upon the conclusion of the tournament, the Fantasy Team earning the most money and having at least three players make the cut will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, a blind draw will determine the winner.
4. One lucky winner will be announced in the April edition of the Franklin Templeton Shootout Newsletter and will receive: Titleist Golf Balls, Franklin Templeton Shootout Merchandise, and Two (2) Weekly Tickets to the 2005 Franklin Templeton Shootout

So cheer on your team members as they maneuver their way through Amen Corner, down Magnolia Lane, and across Hogan's Bridge in an attempt to earn the Green Jacket.