NEWS RELEASE

Puerto Vallarta
gears up for golf

WorldGolf.com Staff Report PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO (Nov. 7, 2002) ­ -- Golf continues to flourish in Puerto Vallarta with three major tournaments at Vista Vallarta Club de Golf this year, and an increasing number of players visiting the region.

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Course at Vista Vallarta was selected by the PGA Federation as the site of the 2002 World Golf Championships-EMC World Cup, set for December 12-15.

The 1st Copa de Golf Vallarta, open to 120 golfers worldwide, took place October 31-November 2 at Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta's new courses also inspired the first-ever Tianguis Golf Mexico tradeshow, held there October 10-13. Buyers, suppliers and international golf media attended the event, which was produced by the Mexico Tourism Authorities.

More than 200 million viewers in over 140 nations will have the opportunity see Puerto Vallarta host one of the most important events in Mexican history, the 2002 World Golf Championships-EMC World Cup. The tournament will air on ABC and the USA Network, December 10-15.

The Olympic-style competition features 48 of the world's best golfers (24-team pairs) who are native-born citizens from 18 different countries, as rated by the Official World Golf Ranking released on September 23, 2002. The two-man team competition includes two days of four-ball and two days of foursomes. The winning team takes home the John J. Hopkins Trophy and US$1 million. The 18 seeded nations were announced on October 4, as detailed below.

The World Cup has been a forerunner in the development of golf on a global basis. It has traveled to 14 countries since its inception in 1953, promoting the theme " international goodwill through golf."

Its list of past champions includes, among others, Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Peter Thomson, Roberto De Vicenzo, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie.

Tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range, Vista Vallarta offers unsurpassed vistas and diverse play between the Nicklaus and Weiskopf Signature Design Courses. Since its opening in April 2001, Vista Vallarta has been heralded as Mexico's newest first-class golf destination by travel writers and visitors throughout the world.

Puerto Vallarta's hotels are offering golf packages for the EMC World Cup, as well as throughout 2003, including the Marriott CasaMagna Resort, Velas Vallarta, Westin Regina, Quinta Real, Fiesta Americana, Krystal Vallarta, Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Towers and Melia Puerto Vallarta. For event tickets and packages, call 866-809-3127.

Puerto Vallarta was selected by CONDE NAST TRAVELER readers as the eighth best destination in the world in their annual "Reader's Choice Awards" in the November 2001 issue, as well as number one international destination because of the "remarkable amiability of the local folk." Puerto Vallarta was the only destination in Mexico that made the list.

Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is the consummate vacation destination with its world-class golf courses, plentiful marine life, lush Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival, vibrant art culture and friendly locals.

For more information about Puerto Vallarta, call your travel agent or toll-free at 888-384-6822, or direct at 011 (52) 322 224 1175; fax: 011 (52) 322 224 0915. Log on at www.visitpuertovallarta.com.

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