DETROIT, Mich. -- The Buick Scramble announced that 212 five-person teams throughout North America will journey to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the 2005 Buick Scramble National Championships, Oct. 13-16, headquartered at Grande Lakes Resort.

"The Buick Scramble National Championships is the premier event in amateur golf," said Larry Peck, golf marketing manager for Buick. "We look forward to providing our national championships participants with a memorable experience they will cherish for years to come."

Tiger Woods, the tournament's honorary chairman, is scheduled to take part in the awards ceremony at Grande Lakes' Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Sun., Oct. 16, following the conclusion of the 72-hole event. Woods is scheduled to present the national championships trophies and personally congratulate the Buick Scramble Gross and Net Division National Champions.

"I am looking forward to the exciting atmosphere of the Buick Scramble National Championships," said Woods. "This is the ultimate event for amateur golfers and I'm proud to be part of another great Buick tournament."

National Championships participants, featuring 206 teams representing 43 U.S. states and six teams from Canada, will compete for a $217,200 purse (cash for PGA Professionals, gift certificates for amateurs). A $20,000 first prize check will go to the winning PGA Professionals in both the gross and net divisions.

California, New York and Pennsylvania have the most teams competing in the national championships with 16 each. Only two teams -- one in the gross division and one in the net division -- will emerge as national champions after competing against the best amateur teams in the nation.

The official Web site of the Buick Scramble, www.buickscramble.com, will provide up-to-date information and results on the participating teams throughout tournament week.

Each team participating in the 72-hole Buick Scramble National Championships will consist of one PGA Professional and four amateurs. The tournament will be played on six Orlando area golf courses, including Orange County National's Panther Lake and Crooked Cat Courses; Eagle Creek Golf Club, Mystic Dunes Golf Course; Celebration Golf Club and the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes Orlando.

The tournament will begin on Thurs., Oct. 13, and conclude on Sun., Oct. 16. Following the third round on Sat., Oct. 15, a cut will be made to the low 24 teams in each division for the final round on Sunday. If necessary, a chip-off to determine the final teams in the gross and/or net divisions will take place at the Ritz-Carlton GC practice putting green at 8 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 15.

Gross division teams advancing to the final round will play at Celebration Golf Club, with the net division teams playing at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Teams not advancing to the final round will be eligible to compete in the "Buick Scramble Putting Championship," a nine-hole team putting competition with the opportunity to win a variety of prizes.

In addition to outstanding golf, national championships participants and their guests will have the opportunity to visit Universal Studios' many attractions. On Thurs., Oct. 13, all participants and eligible guests will be invited to the Buick Street Party at Universal Studios.

Golfers participating in the national championships began their journey earlier this summer by winning one of more than 1300 local championship tournaments offered nationwide, followed by taking the same honor at one of the 104 PGA Sectional Championships with the addition of their respective PGA Professional.

The PGA of America sanctions the Buick Scramble, now in its 22nd season and fourth under the Buick banner.

The Official Car of The PGA of America and the PGA Tour, Buick is title sponsor of three PGA Tour events and presenting sponsor of the PGA Club Professional Championship. Buick has an endorsement agreement with Tiger Woods, who signed a multi-year extension in 2004 to continue as a Buick spokesman through the end of the decade. For complete information on the 2005 Buick Scramble National Championships, please contact the Buick Scramble hotline at 800-582-1908 or visit www.buickscramble.com.