GAYLORD, Mich. – There’s a new sponsor – ING – to go with an old champion: Fred Couples, who will return to defend his ING Par-3 Shootout title June 27-28 at the highly acclaimed Par-3 Threetops Course at Treetops Resort.
Joining Couples is reigning Masters Champion Phil Mickelson and two ING Par-3 Shootout rookies: Gary McCord and Andy North.
The event will air same-day tape-delayed on ESPN2 Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 from 10 p.m. to midnight ET. Roger Twibell and Charlie Rymer will provide commentary for the telecast in the booth, while Bill Kratzert will serve as the on-course reporter.
The purse for the 18-hole tournament is $540,000 and an additional $1 million bonus is available for every hole-in-one -- (won by Lee Trevino in 2001 when he aced the 138-yard 7th hole). Each hole is worth $20,000, with a $10,000 bonus for the player hitting his shot closest to the pin. If the hole is not won, the money carries over to the next hole. If the hole is won, the player doesn’t get the money unless he validates it on the next hole by either winning or tying the low score. No validation is necessary on playoff holes.
Tickets, priced at $50 for the two days, or $30 for each day, will go on sale April 1 and may be purchased online at www.treetops.com or by calling (989) 732-6711, ext. 2499.
“Fred and Phil always put on a great show, and when you add charismatic players like Gary McCord and Andy North, you can’t help but have an entertaining round of golf,” said Rick Smith, the owner and managing partner of Treetops Resort. “This is the foursome that every golfer would like to be a part of and we can’t wait to see what happens when you put them together.”
Couples captured last year’s Shootout in his now-trademark fashion – hanging around and hanging around some more, then sinking a long putt when it matters most. Coming into the 11th hole tied with Mickelson, Trevino and defending champion Fuzzy Zoeller, Couples drained a 36-foot birdie putt, then validated with an up-and-down par on the next hole to bank $220,000.
