MCKINNEY, Texas (March 8, 2006) -- This year, the Big Stakes Match Play Golf Championship, which boasts golf's richest purse at $9 million, is giving 16 two-person teams an opportunity to play for less than a third of what it'll cost the rest of the competition. The catch? They've got to pony up $30,000 and win two matches at the first-ever Big Stakes Qualifier, beginning March 27 at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in suburban Dallas.
To the victors go the spoils as qualifiers bypass the $100,000 per team entry fee and take on the rest of the Championship field May 20-28 at Paiute Golf Resort in Las Vegas.
"The Big Stakes Qualifier creates a new avenue for talented players to shine," said Big Stakes co-founder and former Atlanta Falcons standout quarterback Steve Bartkowski. "For many competitors it will provide more opportunities for backing from local golf clubs that opt to invest in their best." Better yet, noted Bartkowski, "Whoever comes out of the qualifier has the same chance as any other team to leave Las Vegas with a check for $2 million."
The "opportunity of a lifetime"
During the Big Stakes Match Play Golf Championship at Las Vegas' Paiute Golf Course, 128 two-man teams play a four-ball match-play format. Winning teams advance, while losing teams enter a consolation bracket. Eventually, the last two teams will compete for the $2 million first place check.
Last year's inaugural event was won by mini-tour players David Ping from Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra, CA, and Garth Mulroy from Heritage Golf Course in Raleigh, NC. The team was sponsored by former NFL player Ross Verba and current Atlanta Falcons tackle Barry Stokes. "Winning Big Stakes changed my life," said Ping. "To play in Big Stakes is the opportunity of a lifetime." Big Stakes is co-owned by Bartkowski and Atlanta-based businessman Jim Thomas, Big Stakes Match Play, LLC general counsel.
All players must be 21 years of age prior to the first day of the event and must not have full exempt status on the PGA, European, Champions or Nationwide tour for the 2006 season to be eligible to participate in Big Stakes. Championship matches will be televised for live broadcast and/or packaged for future distribution.
About Big Stakes
The 2006 Big Stakes Match Play Championship is set for May 20-28, 2006, at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. All contestants must be 21 years of age prior to the first day of the event. The entry fee is $100,000 ($50,000 per player), with 40 teams taking away a part of the $9,000,000 purse, the richest ever in golf. The winning team takes home a $2,000,000 prize. All players who are 21 or older who do not have full exempt status on the PGA, European, Champions or Nationwide tours for the 2006 season are eligible to participate in Big Stakes.
Co-owned by Steve Bartkowski and Big Stakes Match Play, LLC General Counsel Jim Thomas, this premier event is a four-ball match play competition. The tournament, including a consolation division, will take place over seven rounds in seven days, preceded by two optional practice days. Matches will be televised for live broadcast and/or packaged for future distribution.
For more information on Big Stakes, the Qualifier or the Championship, please visit the web site at http://www.bigstakesgolf.com/ or call 866-476-6797.
For more information Stonebridge Ranch, visit http://www.stonebridgeranch.com/ and http://www.dyecoursegolf.com/ .
Media Contact:
Danny Sternfield
Edelman
312-616-1681
daniel.sternfield@edelman.com
Website: http://www.bigstakesgolf.com/
Website: http://www.dyecoursegolf.com/
Website: http://www.stonebridgeranch.com/
