WESTFORD, Mass. -- The public spoke, and Puma listened! After a successful round of good times on the course and in the clubhouse in 2008, Puma Golf announces the return of the Puma Open for the 2009 season, including an expanded list of locations. From six cities across the country in 2008 to 15 cities in 2009 (including an inaugural stop in Canada), Puma will help golf novices and seasoned players alike look better, feel better and play better - in short, to experience golf "the Puma way." Plans are also in the works to expand the Puma Open's reach on an international level.

Teeing off from May through October, the Puma Open is a national series of interactive golf events that shake up the traditionally stodgy sport with nontraditional holes, Vegas-style card games, cocktails, prizes and a serious dose of good, old-fashioned fun. The Puma Open truly embodies the inclusive spirit of PUMA Golf. Its unique, lighthearted take on the game appeals to both male and female golfers at every skill level — from those who've yet to set foot on a golf course all the way up to the pros who've been winning tournaments for years.

Locations for 2009 include:

May:
Scottsdale, May 15 (new!)
Grayhawk Golf Club
8620 East Thompson Peak Parkway

Las Vegas, May 29 (new!)
Rhodes Ranch Golf Club
20 Rhodes Ranch Parkway

August:
New Jersey (new!)
Boston
Chicago

June:
New York City
Los Angeles

July:
Toronto, Canada (new!)
Detroit (new!)

September:
Northern California (new!)
Charlotte (new!)
San Diego (new!)

October:
Atlanta (new!)
Miami
Texas

* Additional dates and locations to be announced.

In the Puma Open, teams of four compete in a game of nine-hole scramble that tests not only their golf know-how, but also their wit and skill. Open to both men and women over 21, participants must sign up and play in teams of four. The nine-hole scramble includes a mix of "traditional" golf holes and unique twists such as the "Lucky 7," which challenges participants to play the entire hole with their seven iron, and the "On The Clock" hole, where the team who plays the hole in the shortest time receives a prize and a more favorable score. After a round of golf played the Puma way, participants will continue their adventure and go "all in" through a series of Vegas-style card games. Participants win a wide variety of prizes for competitions completed throughout the day, while enjoying food and drinks provided by Puma and event sponsors. A registration fee for each player is required and space is limited.

Don't have the proper attire? Puma is happy to help, offering Puma Open attendees exclusive discounts on Puma Golf footwear, apparel, and accessories at each course, at area Puma Stores, and online at store.puma.com leading up to the event. Puma Golf gear - known for being colorful and fashion-forward, yet technically advanced - will also be sold on-site at each event.

Puma entered the golf category in 2006, immediately catching the eyes of golfers with the brand's vibrant, stylish, fun and always classic take on the world of golf. A perfect mix of performance and lifestyle, PUMA Golf offers footwear, apparel and accessories for men and women. Since 2006, Puma Golf has exploded and continuously expands its product selection to include fashion pieces driven by sport and performance, and always looking to look better, feel better, play better. Today, Puma golf athletes include top male and female players such as Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, Sweden's Johan Edfors and Lotta Wahlin, Japan's Hideto Tanihara and Miho Koga, and American players Jeff Overton and Erica Blasberg.

The Puma Open: it's not your father's golf tournament. Or your mother's, either. To register, or for more information, visit www.thepumaopen.com.

Media Contact:
Heather Bouzan - PR Coordinator, PUMA North America
Office: 978.698.1227 / Cell: 978.304.7494
heather.bouzan@puma.com

PUMA is one of the world's leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Soccer, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com