Making the Connection Legends of Golf Tees Off This Summer
One of golf’s greatest rivalries, and friendships, will be celebrated this summer in Prince Edward Island as part of the brand new Canadian professional golf event, Making the Connection® Legends of Golf. The first edition of the event, which will take place June 19-20, will feature Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson going head-to-head at Dundarave Golf Course at The Rodd Brudenell River Resort in front of a live gallery.
As one of Canada’s premier golf destinations, Prince Edward Island will play official host to the new event, which is a partnership between IMG Canada, Tourism PEI and Making the Connection. Making the Connection is a program dedicated to the ongoing education of Canadians about the dangers of high cholesterol, and to encouraging Canadians to take action to control high cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
"Making the Connection Legends of Golf is a perfect opportunity to celebrate everything that makes golf great," said Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "The history shared between these two players makes this event very special. We're very excited about welcoming Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to Prince Edward Island this summer for the first of many events of this calibre." He added, "This is the initial event of a new partnership between IMG Canada and Tourism PEI that will assist us in promoting the Island’s outstanding golf product. The event will generate significant media exposure for Prince Edward Island that will benefit our tourism industry."
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) is the designated charity for the Making the Connection Legends of Golf, and newest member of the Making the Connection partnership. The partnership also includes the Canadian Lipid Nurse Network, the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes Québec and Pfizer Canada Inc.
“Heart disease and stroke are very real health concerns for Canadians,” says Sally Brown, HSFC Chief Executive Officer. “Almost 75,000 Canadian men and women die every year from heart disease or stroke. We are thrilled to be part of this innovative program. Making healthy lifestyle choices, like being more physically active, can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.”
At a recent meeting, the Making the Connection partners agreed that, “Making the Connection Legends of Golf provides a unique opportunity to help promote heart-healthy living. Physical exercise, following a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight all play an important role in managing cholesterol levels. Unlike some risk factors for heart disease, like age or family history, high cholesterol can be managed, yet almost half of adult Canadians still have high cholesterol. It’s time Canadians take action to control their cholesterol.”
Tickets for Making the Connection Legends of Golf will go on sale Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. EST through Ticketweb. Tickets are priced at $90 (plus tax) for the two-day event that includes a pro-am on June 19 and the feature match between Nicklaus and Watson on June 20. For details on the event, visit www.legendsofgolfpei.com
Making the Connection Legends of Golf will also be broadcast nationally as well distributed internationally. PGA Tour colour commentator David Feherty and PEI’s own, Lorie Kane, two legends in their own right, will provide insights from the golf course for those watching the event at home.
THE LEGENDARY RIVALRY
Jack Nicklaus is considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all time. With 83 combined PGA Tour and Champions Tour wins, including a record 18 professional majors, plus more than 30 victories around the world, Nicklaus’ records seem almost untouchable. Tom Watson won the British Open a total of five times; the Masters twice, and the U.S. Open once. He led the PGA Tour in wins six years, in money five years, and in scoring three years. Watson was PGA Tour Player of the Year six times and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988.
Their duel at the 1977 British Open - where Nicklaus shot 66-66 over the final two rounds, while Watson shot 66-65 to win by one - is considered one of the greatest head-to-head battles the sport has ever seen. Watson robbed Nicklaus of another major at the 1982 U.S. Open with his famous chip-in on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach.
"I'm looking forward to playing with Tom, who has been a great friend and competitor over our many years together," said Jack Nicklaus. "I am also looking forward to coming to Prince Edward Island, one of Canada's most beautiful destinations. My family has enjoyed coming to Canada for decades. While I have retired from competitive golf, it will be fun to get together again with Tom. We certainly have some great memories, especially our time together at last year's Open Championship."
"Over the years I have been fortunate to have had some wonderful duels with the best golfer the game has ever seen,” said Watson. “I welcome the opportunity to engage my friendly rival one more time at this new event."
Although still fierce competitors, Nicklaus and Watson long ago developed a very special relationship. The image from last year’s British Open of the two walking arm-in-arm down the 18th fairway of the Old Course at St. Andrews in Nicklaus’ final major championship perfectly illustrates the respect and friendship between the two World Golf Hall of Famers. Making the Connection Legends of Golf will be as much about the special relationships between the game’s legendary players as it will be about watching them compete in one of Canada’s most spectacular golf settings.
Making the Connection Legends of Golf is also proudly supported by Rodd Brudenell River Resort, Westjet Airlines, Rogers Communications, Labatt, Confederation Bridge, The Globe and Mail and the Maritime Broadcasting System.
FACT SHEET
Dates:
June 19-20, 2006
Legends:
Jack Nicklaus (winner of a record 18 professional major championships); Tom Watson (inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988)
Broadcast Hosts:
PGA Tour Colour Commentator David Feherty; Canadian LPGA Tour Player Lorie Kane
Event Title Sponsor:
Making the Connection
Venue:
Dundarave Golf Course at The Rodd Brudenell River Resort, Cardigan, Prince Edward Island; Opened – July, 1999; Architects – Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry; Awards – Ranked by Score Magazine as in “Top 6 Golf Courses in Canada”
Schedule:
Monday, June 19 – Pro-Am
1:00 p.m. – Pro-Am with Sponsor groups (18 holes)
Tuesday, June 20 – Making the Connection Legends of Golf
10:00 a.m. – Making the Connection Legends of Golf – Game Tee-Off (18 holes)
2:30 p.m. – Completion of play/closing ceremonies
2:45 p.m. – Player media interviews
Format:
Medal Play
Benefiting Charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Ticket Prices:
$90 (plus taxes) – provides access to the event both days
History:
This is the inaugural event for this brand new Canadian event concept. Making the Connection Legends of Golf will be an annual event and will be played at a different golf course within the province of Prince Edward Island each year. Each year will highlight different ‘Legends’ of the game.
TV Broadcast:
Broadcasting partner and airdates to be determined.
Event Website:
www.legendsofgolfpei.com