Q School Offers Peek Into Field for 2010 Stonebrae ClassicInternational Competition Likely To Include NorCal Products In The Mix

HAYWARD, Calif., Dec 17, 2009 – The field for next spring’s Stonebrae Classic can expect an infusion of international golf pros, as well as some home-grown talent, given the players who are fully exempt for the Nationwide Tour in 2010.

And there are some notable names among those who have earned full exemptions for next year, including major champion Shaun Micheel (2003 PGA Championship) and PGA TOUR winners Tim Herron and Jason Gore.

Of course, the most recognizable name in the field is that of a pro making his tour debut: Jerry Rice. The NFL legend and new host of the Stonebrae Classic is an avid and accomplished golfer who has enjoyed success in celebrity events. Eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2010, Rice’s work ethic was unparalleled on the football field – and he has channeled his competitive desire into his golf game.

The Stonebrae Classic is scheduled for April 12-18, 2010 at TPC Stonebrae, located atop the rugged East Bay hillside overlooking San Francisco Bay. The field of 144 plays 72 holes of stroke play and all four rounds are to be televised live by Golf Channel.

The level of playing privileges for 2010 were determined at the recent PGA TOUR Qualifying School Finals, where those finishing in 26th through 72nd place have complete exempt status on the Nationwide Tour, while the remaining finishers have conditional exemptions.

Most of the pros with full privileges are expected at TPC Stonebrae. That group includes Northern California tour veterans Jeff Brehaut from Los Altos and Todd Fischer from Pleasanton, and rookie Nathan Smith from Santa Cruz.

The Nationwide Tour should again in 2010 feature eclectic fields that include: elder statesmen like 44-year-old Glen Day; experienced pros like Ken Duke, 30, who just two seasons ago won $2 million on the PGA Tour; young works-in-progress like Casey Wittenberg, who was 15th on the Nationwide Tour in 2008, but 166th on the PGA Tour in 2009; and mini-tour grinders like Scott Stallings and Keegan Bradley, a winner on the Hooters Tour.

The internationals include England’s Gary Christian, who won a nine-hole playoff on the Nationwide Tour last year, but did not play his way to the next level, as well as Australia’s Mark Hensby, Bronson La’Cassie and Won Joon Lee, who would like to follow their mate Michael Sim into the Stonebrae Classic winner’s circle.

Asia is well-represented by Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata, South Korea’s Sang-moon Bae and Dong Yi, a former standout at the University of California. A significant Canadian contingent is led by Julien Trudeau, of Montreal, a mini-tour product who missed making it to the PGA TOUR by one stroke at the Q School Finals.

Proceeds from the Stonebrae Classic benefit the Jerry Rice 127 Foundation as well as other charities throughout the East Bay, many of which currently are selling tickets through the Tickets Fore Charity program. The Stonebrae Classic also is part of the PGA TOUR’s Birdies for the Brave military outreach program.

For more information about the Stonebrae Classic, call (510) 728-7878, or visit www.stonebraeclassic.com


About TPC Stonebrae
Etched into the rugged hillside high above San Francisco’s East Bay lays a remarkable golf oasis boasting an array of comfortable amenities and the exceptional service and privileges that have become synonymous with the PGA TOUR’s acclaimed TPC Network of premier clubs. Named by Travel + Leisure Golf “One of the Best New Golf Courses for 2007,” TPC Stonebrae was designed by world renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay Kidd along Walpert Ridge, more than 1,500 feet above the bay. Plans are underway for the construction of an expansive Craftsman-style clubhouse that will serve as a focal point for dining, hospitality and relaxation. Current facilities include a casual grill, with both formal and casual dining planned for the new clubhouse. The PGA TOUR’s TPC Network of clubs is comprised of 28 premier private and resort golf properties, designed to host TOUR-sponsored tournaments. TPCs are known for outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. TPC Stonebrae, 222 Country Club Drive, Hayward, CA 94542. Call (510) 728-7878.

About the Nationwide Tour
Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf's biggest stage. As the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR, two out of three PGA TOUR members are Nationwide Tour alumni. As of June 29, 2009, Tour alumni had won 249 PGA TOUR titles, including 12 majors and three PLAYERS Championships. Twenty-five PGA TOUR cards and total prize money of $18.5 million will be at stake over the course of 29 events in 2009. Recognizing the Tour’s growing stature, Nationwide Insurance has renewed its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and has surpassed $1.3 billion in charitable giving. To learn more about the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit PGATOUR.COM.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.



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