The ACE Group Classic - Champions Tour Golf - Naples, Florida - Home

The 2011 ACE Group Classic Returning to the Quarry

2010-07-20T16:14:00Z

Naples, Fla. – Tournament officials for the ACE Group Classic have announced the Champions Tour event will return to its 2010 venue at The Golf Lodge at The Quarry, February 14 – 20, 2011. Octagon, the Tournament’s management group, has also announced that Sales Director Kevin Rooney will be promoted to Tournament Director.

“The ACE Group is pleased to extend our partnership with Octagon and the Champions Tour through 2011,” said Richard Tallo, the ACE Group Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing for North America. “We are proud to support the Southwest Florida community again while contributing proceeds to local charities.”

The event is well-known for annually attracting the strongest field of competitions from the Official Money List, as well as legends from the World Golf Hall of Fame. In addition to Fred Couples and Tommy Armour III, names like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Ray Floyd, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite and Tom Watson have competed in this prestigious event.

“We are thrilled to continue our great partnership with the ACE Group and the Champions Tour,” said Kevin Rooney, newly-promoted Tournament Director. “We are also very thankful to The Golf Lodge at The Quarry for their continued support of the Tournament after a very successful 2010 event. I am looking forward to my new role with the Tournament and continuing to enhance and grow the premiere sporting event in Southwest Florida.”

The Tournament will return to the Golf Lodge at The Quarry, a pristine golf and recreational development located in North Naples, 20 minutes from downtown. The centerpiece of the area is the 320 acre Stone Lake, which was created from an old limestone quarry. A championship golf course, created by Hurdzan/Fry, winds a links style course around the perimeter of the lake. The course opened in January 2007.

“We are excited to be the host venue in 2011 and continue our partnership with the Champions Tour and the ACE Group Classic,” said Ryan Marshall, division president of the Pulte Group. “Players and spectators alike were impressed with The Quarry. We are confident 2011 will be the best year yet for this great golf tournament.”

Kevin Rooney, the sales director of the ACE Group Classic since December 2006, will become the Tournament Director of the 2011 event, bringing a wealth of business, marketing and sales experience. Rooney’s extensive background in sports includes over fourteen years of experience in golf, hockey, motor sports and event management. Former Tournament Director, Jason Camp, will continue his involvement with the Tournament serving in an Executive Director capacity.

The 2010 ACE Group Classic, held at The Quarry in Naples, February 8-14, featured Fred Couples capturing his first title on the Champions Tour after defeating Tommy Armour III by one stroke. The victory was Couples’ first official event victory since the 2003 Shell Houston Open on the PGA TOUR.

Octagon Partners with Powerchute Sports

2010-06-07T15:55:00Z

NAPLES, Fla. – Octagon, Inc. today announced a partnership with Powerchute Sports, the makers of the Powerchute golf training aid that increases golf clubhead speed. Through this partnership, Octagon will provide digital and social media consulting services to Powerchute and assist with sales and marketing efforts, throughout the United States and internationally.

“We are excited to support Powerchute Sports as they introduce their leading-edge product – the Powerchute – worldwide,” said Chris Higgs, Managing Director of Octagon’s Golf and Outdoor events division. “This product will train golfers of all skill levels, and we look forward to its future success.”

Powerchute is a patented golf swing training aid engineered to increase clubhead speed and driving distance through resistance training. Originally conceived for World Long Drive competitors, the Powerchute promotes and teaches ‘proper sequencing’ – the transitional sequence of movements from the backswing to the forward swing. Through proper sequencing, the clubhead is delivered more efficiently, improving clubhead speed and driving distance.

“There are numerous swing trainers on the market, but the Powerchute is the most effective swing trainer I have ever seen for increasing clubhead speed,” said Jim Sowerwine, creator of the award winning Inside Approach ‘Slice Correction Trainer,’ who redesigned and reengineered the Powerchute. “The Powerchute will help any golfer increase their clubhead speed.”

Powerchute sales and marketing activation by Octagon will include a grassroots endorsement program with golf professionals across the globe, partnerships with The First Tee chapters and other charitable organizations.

For more information on the Powerchute, visit www.powerchutesports.com.

Video: Couples & Armour III talk about the Final Round

2010-02-23T15:26:00Z

Armour III Posts Final Round 61

2010-02-14T21:44:00Z

Tommy Armour III posted a final round 61 and gave Fred Couples a strong challenge for the title. Armour set a new tournament and course record. "I played well... didn't miss too many shots... played solid," said Armour. "Any course sets up well if you're driving it well, hitting good irons and put goods. It's the truth, you adapt to the course."

Naples Daily News Amateur Qualifier

2010-02-08T23:10:00Z

Four flight winners from the Monday Amateur Qualifier received official pro-am spots with defending champion Loren Roberts on Wed, Feb. 10.

Flight Winners
•    1st Flight: Mike Walsh – 67
•    2nd Flight: Dr. Peter Sesen – 68
•    3rd Flight: Don Decareau – 72
•    4th Flight: Henry Hobaica – 74

Second Place - $100 Fleming’s Gift Certificate
•    1st Flight: Pierre LaBarge
•    2nd Flight: Bob Morse
•    3rd Flight: Greg Hunter
•    4th Flight: Bob McDonald

Closest to the Pin #2 - $100 Golf Galaxy Gift Certificate
•    Dave Neil

Closest to the Pin #15 - $100 Sam Snead’s Tavern Gift Certificate
•    Pierre LaBarge

Long Drive #18 - $100 Lumpy’s Gift Certificate
•    Jim Murphy

Fifth Third Bank Customers Given Free Access to Final Round

2010-01-29T15:14:00Z

“For the last six years, Fifth Third Bank has proudly supported The ACE Group Classic,” said David Call, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (South Florida). “We recognize the economic lift this event gives our local economy. We appreciate our valued customers, and we hope they will join us on Fifth Third Bank Sunday for a great day of golf.”

“We are very thankful for Fifth Third Bank and their continued support of The ACE Group Classic,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “Their sponsorship of Fifth Third Bank Sunday will allow their customers the opportunity to experience the final day of the tournament for free by showing their cards at the admissions gate. Considering the dramatic finishes we’ve had the past the past six years, we expect it to be an exciting day for everyone involved.”

Last year, Loren Roberts made birdies on three of the final four holes on Sunday, including the 18th, to win by one stroke. In 2004 and 2008, the tournament ended in a sudden death playoff. In 2005 and 2007, the champions made birdies on the final holes to secure their wins, and in 2006 Roberts won his other Naples title by one stroke after a final round battle versus two-time champion Hale Irwin.

The ACE Group Classic will once again feature one of the top fields on the Champions Tour. There are currently 35 past PGA TOUR and Champions Tour major champions committed, totaling 94 major championships.

Loren Roberts Talks About The Quarry from Media Day

2010-01-08T15:06:00Z

ACE Group Classic Partners With Susan G. Komen SW Florida Affiliate

2009-12-04T17:10:00Z

“The Komen Southwest Florida Affiliate is thrilled to be working with The ACE Group Classic,” said Miriam Ross, Executive Director Komen SW FL Affiliate. “We are truly appreciative of their commitment to our vision of a world without breast cancer. The Affiliate is proud to say that seventy-five percent of the funds the Affiliate receives from this promotion will stay here in Southwest Florida and remainder will be applied to the Komen national ground breaking research program.

The ACE Group Classic has developed a special ticket offer to help raise funds for Susan G. Komen Southwest Florida. The package, valued at over $100, is being sold for $65 by phone and online. The offer contains:

•    Two daily tickets for The ACE Group Classic
•    $25 gift certificate for Pinchers Crab Shack
•    Limited edition Susan G Komen SW FL/ACE Group Classic hat
•    Three-ball sleeve of Susan G Komen SW FL/ACE Group Classic Titleist Balls
•    Susan G. Komen for the Cure pin

“Breast cancer has personally affected my family and many others. We are happy as a tournament to join the fight,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp.

Komen On the Go was launched in 2004 and has expanded based on its widespread success. Komen On the Go aims to engage all generations in the fight against breast cancer by providing them with a better education about breast health and breast cancer. This nationwide initiative is a fun, hands-on learning experience that will engage people in our community.

Fans can purchase the special Susan G. Komen for the Cure SW FL ticket package at www.acegroupclassic.com or by calling (239) 593-3900.