Tournament officials announced that The ACE Group Classic will return for its 25th year in 2012 and return to its former host venue of the Jack Nicklaus-Jack Nicklaus II co-designed Talon course at TwinEagles. A multi-year agreement has been made between the ACE Group, the Champions Tour, The TwinEagles Club and the tournament management group at Octagon. The 25th anniversary tournament will take place February 13-19, 2012, at The TwinEagles Club.
The ACE Group Classic was hosted on the Talon course at TwinEagles from 2002-06—tying for the longest stint at one course—and champions included Hall of Fame member Hale Irwin and two-time ACE Group Classic champion Loren Roberts. The Talon course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II, was created for member play and championship tournament golf, and the course and its community are framed by the sweeping natural scenic beauty, water and exceptional wildlife that showcases southwest Florida at its finest.
"I was really excited to hear the Champions Tour is going back to TwinEagles," said Champions Tour star and 2009 champion Loren Roberts. "Obviously, I had some success there and that was where I won the last of three wins in a row to start the 2006 season. It’s a really good driving golf course and I like the feel of the whole place. I’m thrilled to death that we’re going back there."
"ACE is pleased to extend our partnership with the Champions Tour and Octagon to keep this great event in Naples," said Richard Tallo, senior vice president of communications and marketing for the ACE Group, North America. "We are proud of the positive impact this event has on the community through our charitable partners, and we are excited about hosting the tournament at The TwinEagles Club, a venue that both professionals and fans will enjoy."
The ACE Group has been the title sponsor of Champions Tour golf in Southwest Florida since 1999. Last year, Bernhard Langer won The ACE Group Classic at The Quarry in record-setting fashion with a 20-under-par score. He is expected to return to Naples to defend his title.
"The TwinEagles Club couldn’t be more pleased about our partnership with The ACE Group Classic and Octagon," said Anthony Solomon, executive vice president, The Ronto Group. "Anyone who has played TwinEagles knows that this is the place the pros want to play, and we look forward to being the tournament’s new home for years to come."
"We’re pleased that ACE Group has agreed to continue their sponsorship of the ACE Group Classic," said Mike Stevens, President of the Champions Tour. "We’ve had a long and successful history in the Naples market thanks to the tremendous support we receive from ACE Group and the community and we look forward to that continuing for another 3 years."
"We are very thankful for ACE and TwinEagles for their support in keeping this tournament in Naples," said Jeff Kleiber, executive director of the event.
"This event is one of the best attended and well-liked stops on the Champions Tour, and we are excited to start working on our 25th anniversary celebration."
For complete information on The ACE Group Classic, visit www.theacegroupclassic.com
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