PROFESSIONAL PAIRINGS ANNOUNCED:
Tournament host Greg Norman has matched a collection of the hottest players on the PGA TOUR into powerful two man teams in an effort to dethrone two-time defending champions Hank Kuehne and Jeff Sluman as the 17th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout returns to Tiburón Golf Club and the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples November 9-13. For the fifth consecutive year, Southwest Florida golf fans and an international television audience will have the opportunity to watch some of the PGA TOUR's brightest stars battle it out for three days all while raising funds and awareness for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
 Kuehne and Sluman will be attempting to become the first team to win three consecutive Shootout titles. However, it will be a formidable task. The impressive list of challengers includes: long-hitters John Daly and Tim Herron; Presidents Cup hero Fred Couples and young-gun Adam Scott; multiple major champions Mark O'Meara and Nick Price; Swedish friends Fredrik Jacobson and Jesper Parnevik; Players Champion Fred Funk and Jason Gore; Shootout veterans Peter Jacobsen and Scott McCarron; Ryder Cup teammates Stewart Cink and Jay Haas; Scott Hoch and Kenny Perry, who have combined for 20 PGA TOUR victories; 1993 PGA Champion Paul Azinger and Olin Browne; 2005 winners Calcavecchia and Loren Roberts. Norman will partner with three-time Shootout champion Steve Elkington, who is making his 14th appearance in the event.
"It is about time we knock Kuehne and Sluman off the pedestal," Norman said. "I believe we have a number of teams capable of doing just that. Every year, I feel we are extremely fortunate to host an event that attracts so many of the game's best players, and this group once again promises to bring a great deal of excitement to Tiburón."
 In September, Shootout participants won three straight PGA TOUR events. Browne started the impressive streak with a victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Calcavecchia captured the Bell Canadian Open and Gore followed with a win at the 84 Lumber Classic. In total, eight players in the Shootout field have won on either the PGA TOUR or Champions Tour this season.
Of the 24 professionals vying for their share of the record $2.6 million purse, Gore, Herron and Jacobson are Franklin Templeton Shootout rookies. The 2005 field consists of 12, two-man teams based on the following criteria: defending champions, top-three committing players from the 2005 PGA TOUR money list, top-10 committing players from the career money list and special exemptions.
This year's event will again feature an alternate-shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. USA Network will televise Friday's coverage and CBS will handle broadcasting duties over the weekend. The Franklin Templeton Shootout was founded in 1989 as a result of Laura and Greg Norman's desire to raise money and awareness for children's charities and create a unique experience for PGA TOUR players.
This year Tiburón will have true "Shootout" excitement, as these extremely talented teams do what they do best. Here are the selected pairings for the 2005 Franklin Templeton Shootout:
Two time defending champions, Jeff Sluman and Hank Kuehne
| • Greg Norman - Steve Elkington |
• John Daly - Tim Herron |
| • Fred Couples - Adam Scott |
• Fred Funk - Jason Gore |
| • Peter Jacobsen - Scott McCarron |
• Stewart Cink - Jay Haas |
| • Mark O'Meara - Nick Price |
• Fredrick Jacobsen - Jesper Parnevik |
| • Kenny Perry - Scott Hoch |
• Mark Calcavecchia - Loren Roberts |
| • Paul Azinger - Olin Browne |
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 PRO-AM CADDIES NEEDED:
Caddies are needed for the Franklin Templeton Shootout's Pro-Am on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th. Be a part of the PGA TOUR excitement as you assist Franklin Templeton Shootout amateurs navigate their way through Tiburón Golf Club's lush fairways and treacherous bunkers. Now is the time to take advantage of this great opportunity. If interested contact Chad Nigro at the Tiburón Golf Shop on 239.593.2203.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Be ready this year and buy your tickets early. Tickets are on sale now and orders can be placed three ways: by calling 888-66-SHARK, visiting Alf's Golf Shop in Naples or going to www.SHARK.com.
 A Weekly Pass, which includes five individual daily tickets for Wednesday-Sunday action, is available for $60. You can purchase a daily grounds ticket in advance for $15 Wednesday or Thursday and $20 each for Friday through Sunday. A limited number of reserved seats on Tiburón's 18th green are available for $50 per day. Reserved seats are available by calling 888-66-SHARK or visiting Shark.com. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.
Also, for $100, patrons can enjoy A Taste of WCI. This incredible offer includes one Weekly Grounds Ticket and allows you to play 10 of the finest courses in South Florida for cart fee only. It also makes you eligible for valuable discounts on Greg Norman Collection merchandise, reduced rates at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, world-class instruction at the Rick Smith Golf Academy and frequent player rewards.
Make your decision early and be one of the happy thousands to join us this November 9th to the 13th at the Franklin Templeton Shootout.
SHOOTOUT VOLUNTEERS:
By now, all Franklin Templeton Shootout Volunteers should have received an informational mailing which contained specific details regarding individual schedules, work assignments, Uniform Distribution & Training dates and other important updates. If you are a volunteer but have not received this information, please be sure to contact Larson Segerdahl at 239.254.9770. We look forward to working with you on this year's Shootout and will see you soon!
If you are not currently a volunteer but are interested in volunteering for the event, please call Larson Segerdahl at 239.254.9770 to add your name to the wait list. |
