HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. -- The award-winning championship golf courses at Mission Inn Resort & Club, just outside Orlando, will host the Florida Junior Governor's Cup Open, December 20-22, 2008. The 54-hole, stroke-play tournament - ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index - is open to boys and girls ages 8-18. A mini camp before the tournament is being offered by Gary Gilchrist, called the "MVP of coaches" by Golfweek magazine.

Situated 30 miles northwest of Orlando, Mission Inn is a 1,000-acre, family friendly, destination resort nestled in the rolling hills of Lake County, a region known for its temperate year-round climate, breathtaking scenery and quaint antique shops.

The resort's two 18-hole courses include Las Colinas, designed by former PGA Tour Player Gary Koch, and El Campeón - named one of Zagat's Top American Golf Courses for 2007-2008 - designed by George O'Neil of Chicago in 1917. Mission Inn is well known in the world of golf; past junior tournament participants who have become professionals include Davis Love III, Lee Janzen, Chris DiMarco, Michelle McGann and Mark Calcavecchia.

"The El Campeón course at Mission Inn offers tee-to-green elevations of 85 feet," states John Viera, tournament director. "The Governor's Cup not only lets juniors play on award-winning courses, but it also exposes them to the competitive atmosphere of the professional golf world."

~ Mini Camp Offered by Gary Gilchrist ~
Mission Inn is also home to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, which trains junior champions from around the globe. A mini camp, offered prior to the tournament, will include a systematic evaluation of the student's long and short game, course management, mental skills and fitness level, resulting in a custom-designed program. The four-night Gilchrist mini camp is $2,000 and includes accommodations, meals, a Friday practice round and registration fee for the Governor's Cup.

Eligibility for Florida Junior Governor's Cup Open is open to participants 8-18 years old who are not attending a college or university. U.S. Golf Association rules apply except as amended by the rules committee. Golf carts and caddies are not allowed. Registration is $235 and includes two practice rounds, three days of tournament play, welcome gifts and daily breakfast, and must be received by December 11.

For more information or to register for the Florida Junior Golf Championship, call (352) 324-2024, extension 7275 or e-mail golf@missioninnresort.com. To make reservations for the pre-tournament mini camp, contact the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy toll-free at 866-639-9099 or visit www.GGGA.com.

To learn more about the Mission Inn Resort & Club, see a travel agent, call toll-free 800-874-9053 or visit www.missioninnresort.com.

~ About Mission Inn Resort & Club ~
Mission Inn Resort & Club features 190 graciously appointed guestrooms, suites and villas; three restaurants, two lounges and a poolside bar. In addition to golf, recreational amenities include eight tennis courts, trap and skeet shooting range jogging and bicycling trails, volleyball courts, an outdoor pool and hydro-spa, fitness center, spa, and a nautical center, where guests can fish, powerboat and go eco-touring. The resort's 6,200-square-foot Spa Marbella is scheduled to open in late-November 2008.

Mission Inn is home to the 6th Sense Tennis Academy, founded by Women's Tennis Association Tour former world Number One player Justine Henin and the acclaimed "Etcheberry Experience, Strength and Conditioning for Serious Sports" program, offered by legendary fitness trainer Pat Etcheberry.

The two championship 18-hole golf courses at Mission Inn have recently received a four-star rating from Golf Digest - both will be included in the publication's 2008-2009 edition of "Best Places to Play," which rates nearly 60,000 courses in North America and the Caribbean.

CONTACT:
Gary Gerbino/Ashley Bever
LOU HAMMOND & ASSOCIATES
561-655-3836
garyg@lhammond.com
ashleyb@lhammond.com
Visit www.louhammond.com