SANTA FE, N.M. -- The Rotary Club of Santa Fe hosts the 2006 Cities of Gold Golf Classic, which will be held at Towa Golf Resort September 14th through September 17th. This year 150 golf professionals will compete for a purse of approximately $120,000, a dramatic increase over last year’s $42,000.

The Tight Lies Tour, the feeder system to the Nationwide Tour and ultimately the PGA, plays nearly 25 tournaments, three of which will be played in New Mexico. The Cities of Gold Classic is the final stop on the New Mexico Tour. The highest placed finisher of the three New Mexico events will receive the New Mexico Challenge Cup, designed by Nambe, and a $10,000 winner’s check presented by the New Mexico Department of Tourism. Nambe has also designed and produced the Cities Of Gold Golf Classic trophy, a one-of-a-kind crystal trophy valued at over $6,000, which will be presented on Sunday, September 17th to winner of the tournament.

The Department of Tourism has committed to elevating the State’s great assets, which include the outstanding golf courses throughout the State. Tour stops this year will be at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in May, the Santa Theresa Country Club in late August, and Towa Golf Resort in mid September.

The Tight Lies Tour players consist of over 300 outstanding professionals, including many former NCAA Champions. Seven members of the Tight Lies Tour won PGA playing cards at this year’s PGA Qualifying School.

In addition to the 72 hole professional tournament, which will be open to the public for free, The Rotary Club of Santa Fe will host two days of Pro-Am play on September 12th and 13th. Corporate Sponsors will have teams consisting of three amateurs who will be paired with a professional.