STOCKTON, Calif. -- The A.G. Spanos Celebrity Pro-Am and the A.G. Spanos California Open, the largest non-PGA Tour in California, is set for June 19-23 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton. This flagship event, now in its fifth year and featuring a $250,000 purse, will once again bring celebrities and golfers together to benefit local charities, according to Barry Ruhl, executive director of the A.G. Spanos Tour.
“The A.G. Spanos Celebrity Pro-Am is our annual kick-off for the four-day tournament,” Ruhl said. “The Spanos Tour has raised more than $750,000 for charity the last four years and often contributes more than $200,000 each year to more than 65 groups in the Stockton area. It’s a great way for us to raise funds for these important causes while also offering an enjoyable community event.”
The A.G. Spanos Celebrity Pro-Am attracts both Hollywood celebrities and current and former professional athletes to Stockton. Last year’s participants included celebrities such as Jamie Farr from the hit TV series “M*A*S*H,” Cheech Marin, San Diego Chargers’ Kasim Osgood, and former San Francisco Giants pitcher Don Carrithers. The Pro-Am partners these celebrities with current players on the A.G. Spanos Tour as well as representatives from local businesses that have donated money to share a golf cart with a noted personality. All of the proceeds are given to the United Way of San Joaquin County, which then divides the money among several charities.
The A.G. Spanos Pro-Am’s monetary donations continue to grow each year: The event raised $120,000 in its inaugural year; in 2006 organizers expect to raise almost $300,000 with the generous help of the community.
Schedule of Events
Monday, June 19 7:15 a.m. A.G. Spanos Celebrity Pro-Am
6:30 pm Celebrity Pro-Am Awards Dinner
Tuesday, June 20 6:30 a.m. First round of the tournament
Wednesday, June 21 6:30 a.m. Second round of the tournament
Thursday, June 22 7:00 a.m. Third round of the tournament
Friday, June 23 7:00 a.m. Final round of the tournament
2:20 p.m. Awards presentation
About A.G. Spanos Tour
The A.G. Spanos Tour is a developmental professional golf tour for players who aspire to compete on the PGA Tour. After just two seasons the Spanos Tour has been recognized nationally as one of the top four developmental tours in the country. In addition to providing all-inclusive tournaments at top venues throughout the state, the Tour offers professional golfers the best return for their investments by allowing 100 percent of entry fees to go toward tournament purses (the only developmental tour in the country to do so). Players participating in the 2006 Spanos Tour will compete in a $2.3 million, 16-event series on some of the finest courses throughout the state.
CONTACT:
Katie Casey
Formula
(310) 578-7050
casey@formulapr.com
