Home > Press Room > Press Release > May 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 07, 2009
2009 PEOPLE vs. THE PROS TO BE HELD AT HISTORIC PINEHURST RESORT
OCTOBER 23-27, 2009
Amateur Golfers to Compete Head-to-Head Against Major Champions
Fred Couples and
Nick Faldo in PGA TOUR Official Challenge Event
Manhattan Beach, Calif. – People vs. the Pros, a unique PGA TOUR Challenge Event
that features amateur golfers competing head-to-head against professionals from
the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, announced today that the sixth annual People vs.
the Pros event will be held October 23-27, 2009 at historic Pinehurst Resort in
the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. In addition People vs. the Pros will continue its
five-year run on ESPN and will be broadcast on ESPN2, December 27th, 2009 from 12
noon to 2pm eastern.
“We have enjoyed developing the People vs. the Pros series over the last five
years and are very proud that our event is one of only 11 Official Challenge Events
on the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule”, said Andy Batkin, CEO of the Manhattan Beach,
Calif.-based Innovative Media Solutions, creators of People vs. the Pros.
“Over the last five People vs. the Pros events we have provided the ultimate
in “wish fulfillment”, and have given our amateur golfers the opportunity
to play against PGA TOUR legends on great golf courses. Our players always ask when
we are going back to Pinehurst, so today we are thrilled to announce that, for the
third time, the People vs. the Pros event will take place at historic Pinehurst
Resort, October 23-27-2009,” Batkin concluded.
“Because of golf’s handicap system, these matches have been very competitive
over the years. We look forward to having this great event back at Pinehurst this
October and watching these amateurs be challenged by playing Pinehurst No.1, No.
2 and No. 4,” Said Pinehurst Director of Business Development Peter Stilwell.
The format for People vs. the Pros features more than 200 amateur players competing
over three days in a 54-hole stroke-play competition utilizing handicaps. The players
are divided into two divisions: 49-and-under and the over-50 division, with each
division producing a champion.
On the fourth day of the tournament, the amateur champions play an 18-hole match
against Fred Couples and Nick Faldo, in match play, with the benefit of their handicap.
The matches are taped for broadcast on ESPN2, December 27, 2009. The winners each
receive $50,000 designated to the charity of their choice.
“I have watched this event for many years and think it is great for the game
of golf. No other game can offer an amateur the ability to successfully compete
with a professional. The handicap system makes this event a truly unique stop on
the PGA TOUR. I look forward to a great match with an amateur who will be doing
their best to beat me at historic Pinehurst Resort in October”, said Fred
Couples.
“I see amateurs play in Pro-Ams at the events I broadcast for CBS and the
Golf Channel, but People vs. the Pros is very different. This PGA TOUR event allows
amateurs to play against a professional, not with them. Every pro has felt the pressure
of being in the spotlight, but I can only imagine what it will be like for my opponent.
I am sure it will be great fun finding out” said Nick Faldo.
The People vs. the Pros tournament offers a host of cocktail parties, dinners and
fun competitions that allow the participants to network and enjoy the surroundings
of Pinehurst Resort which includes an outing with the pros the day before the event
for sponsors.
The event is open to all amateur golfers over 18 years of age with an established
handicap; players can reserve a place in the tournament on the tournament website,
www.pvpgolf.com.
History
The first People vs. the Pros tournament was held in 2003 at Lake Las Vegas Resort
in Las Vegas, NV and televised on GOLF CHANNEL. John Daly defeated his amateur opponent,
but golf legend Lee Trevino was defeated 5 and 4 by his amateur opponent, validating
the concept.
The 2nd Annual event was held at historic Pinehurst in the Village of Pinehurst,
N.C. Daly defended his title and the colorful Gary McCord was the Champions Tour
player. The final matches were played on the legendary No. 2 course at Pinehurst,
site of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Opens, and aired twice in prime time on ESPN. Daly
and McCord were both defeated by their amateur opponents.
The 2005 event was held at Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, TX. Justin Leonard
was the PGA TOUR pro, while Ben Crenshaw represented the Champions Tour. The final
matches were held on the Tom Fazio-designed Foothills course and were telecast twice
in prime time on ESPN. Leonard won his match 4 and 3, while Crenshaw was taken all
the way to the 18th hole, prevailing 1-up.
The 4th Annual returned to Pinehurst on its No. 8 course and was televised on ESPN2
in prime time. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, the world’s third-ranked
player, and McCord, in his second appearance in the event, both won their matches.
The 5th Annual event was at Cabo Real Golf Club, in Los Cabos Mexico, and broadcast
on ESPN 2 December 23…..with subsequent broadcasts in various countries worldwide.
The participating PGA TOUR professionals were Chris DiMarco and 8 time major champion,
Tom Watson. Both DiMarco and Watson won their matches.
ABOUT PINEHURST RESORT
Located in the North Carolina heartland, world-renowned Pinehurst Resort is a 2,000-acre
historic property featuring spa, golf, tennis, family, events and leisure recreation.
Widely known as the cradle of American golf, it has hosted more single golf championships
than any other site in America, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder
Cup Matches, PGA TOUR Championship and many others. In 2008 it became the only resort
to top the coveted Travel +Leisure Golf Best Golf Resort list for an unprecedented
third time, as chosen by its readers.
ABOUT INNOVATIVE MEDIA SOLUTIONS, LLC
People vs. the Pros is a production of Manhattan Beach, CA-based Innovate Media
Solutions, LLC. IMS develops unique compelling and custom designed integrated media
programs for major corporations to reach specific and very targeted demographics.
IMS creates dynamic value-added events that effectively blend the use of TV, print,
radio, online, database development, event marketing and hospitality. The unique
synergy of IMS strategic resources empowers sponsors and advertisers to maximize
their investments by transcending common advertising clutter and delivering focused
product or service messages to the right audience at the right time.
CONTACTS:
Janeen Driscoll
PINEHURST RESORT
910.235.8710
Janeen.driscoll@pinehurst.com
Bridget Batkin Innovative Media Solutions
310-344-2242
bbatkin@peoplevsthepros.com