GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – March 15, 2005 – Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa will host the 2005 ShopRite Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Classic May 30th through June 5th, on its historic Bay Course. This marks the 20th year of this prestigious event, and the eighth consecutive year with Seaview as the host site. Seaview also hosted the tournament in its first two years, 1986 and 1987.

Adding to the excitement of this year's tournament is a purse increase from $1.3 million to $1.4 million. The increase makes it the richest 54-hole event on the LPGA Tour. It is also the only full-field LPGA Tour event held in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Since the first tournament in 1986, known then as the Atlantic City Classic, the ShopRite LPGA Classic has grown into one of the most popular events on the LPGA tour, attracting the greatest women golfers from around the world. The Classic also draws more than 50,000 spectators annually and garners both national and international media coverage.

Among the Classic's past champions are Hall of Famers Juli Inkster, Betsy King, Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam. Inkster, King and Sorenstam have won the tournament a combined seven times. The defending champion is Christie Kerr.

This year's first place finisher will not be the tournament's only winner. Over its 19-year history, the ShopRite Classic has raised more than $10.5 million for more than 50 local, state and national charities.

The tournament is played on Seaview's historic Bay Course, designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1914. It was restored to its original design in 1997 and 1998 with the rerouting of several holes, the elevation of the eighth fairway and growth of tall grasses on the mounds surrounding many of the greens and bunkers. Small greens, deep roughs, and narrow fairways add to the character and quality of the golf course.

Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa has played host to U.S. Presidents, and a long list of other celebrities and dignitaries. It has received numerous awards and distinctions for golf and hospitality supremacy.

Top honors include: "Top 20 Golf Resorts in the World," Vacation Ownership, An International Magazine," "World's Best Golf Resorts," T&L Golf Magazine; 4-Star Rating, Golf Digest's "Places To Play "- both Bay and Pines; GOLF Magazine's "Silver Medal Award as one of the nation's top 75 golf resorts;" Washington Golf Monthly 's "Top 100 Must Play Course;" Golf For Women Magazine's "Top 50 Best Courses for Women;" "APEX Award" recipient from the National Association of Golf Tournament Directors; Golf Operation's Magazine eight time winner of "Best 100 Golf Shops in America;" Meetings and Conventions Magazine "Gold Key Award;" Successful Meetings Magazine's "Pinnacle Award;" Golf Week Magazine 's Top 10 Resort and Daily Fee Course "America's Best;" Golden Links Award; and Atlantic City Magazine's Shorecast, "Best of the Shore."

Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa is located minutes from Atlantic City's casinos, beaches and boardwalk and within easy driving time of Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York. The resort is also fully staffed and equipped for weddings, banquets, special events, meetings, seminars and other corporate functions. The resort is also home to one of the nation's premier golf instructional schools, the Faldo Golf Institute, as well an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, and Marriott Vacation Club International's Fairway Villas.

For more information about the Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa, call 609.652.1800, or visit www.seaviewmarriott.com.

For more information about the ShopRite LPGA Classic, visit www.shopritelpga.org.

Contact:
Rodger Gottlieb
rgottlieb@parkerandpartners.com
Parker and Partners Marketing Resources
609.484.0750