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2009 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Raises $315,324 For Tampa Bay Charities

Charity Check Presentations Continue In Upcoming Weeks

TAMPA, FL, October 20, 2009 – Today the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am announced that the 2009 Champions Tour golf tournament raised $315,324 to benefit local Tampa Bay charities. An astounding $8.4 million has been raised since its inception 23 years ago.

The benefiting charities that will share in the proceeds from the 2009 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am are Child Abuse Council, Diabetic Charitable Services, Everyday Blessings, and Judeo Christian Health Clinic. In addition, a number of other charities throughout the area will be receiving proceeds from a variety of tournament-affiliated fundraising programs including the Bright House Networks Birdies for Charities program.

“Our objective is to put on a first class event that will continue to give a significant contribution to local charities that endlessly give back to our community,” said Chris Sullivan, Co-Chairman of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. “I am pleased that we have contributed over $3.4 million to charity in just six years since Outback Steakhouse has been the title sponsor.”

“The support of the Champions Tour professionals, sponsors, volunteers and fans have been incredible,” said Amy Hawk, tournament director of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. “Their involvement year after year is what allows this tournament to continue to give more money to the Tampa Bay community.”

Everyday Blessings kicked off the first check presentation. The other recipients’ check presentations will take place throughout the upcoming weeks.

The 2010 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am will take place on April 12-18 at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, FL. For volunteer and ticket information please call the tournament office at 813-265-GOLF or visit www.outbackproam.com.

About the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am & Tournament Format

The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am was the first-ever winner of the Inaugural Champions Tour President's Award (2006) that is given to the event that best exemplifies the Champions Tour commitment to presenting its product, charity and involvement in the community.

In its first six years, the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Foundation, Inc. has raised over $3.4 million through corporate sponsorships and other charitable donations. Since its inception 23 years ago, this tournament has contributed over $8.4 million to Tampa Bay area charities. The 2009 recipients were Child Abuse Council, Diabetic Charitable Services, Everyday Blessings, and Judeo Christian Health Clinic.

The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Charity Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization founded in October of 2003.

Nick Price won his first ever Champions Tour event at the 2009 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

The 2010 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am will be played at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, FL, April 12-18 will be broadcast on the Golf Channel (Friday, 4/16) and NBC Sports (Saturday, 4/17 and Sunday, 4/18).

About the Champions Tour

The Champions Tour collectively, has the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game with 15 World Golf Hall of Fame Members actively competing in its events and numerous other major championship winners among its members. Conceived in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour, it started with just four events and purses totaling $475,000.

The Champions Tour will feature a minimum of 26 official events offering $51.4 million in prize money in 2009 and its highest average purse ever of $1.98 million.

The Champions Tour is a division of the PGA TOUR, Inc., a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older and as such operates under the umbrella of the PGA TOUR, which includes the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

The Champions Tour’s primary purpose as an entity of the PGA TOUR is to provide significant competitive and earnings opportunities for players age 50 and older; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, Champions Tour events also generate significant sums of money for charity.

The commissioner of the PGA TOUR is Tim Finchem. Mike Stevens is president of the Champions Tour. TOUR headquarters is in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.