INNISBROOK, FL, October 1, 2009 – The Legends Tour Open Championship, taking place at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club’s Island Course November 20-22, today announced that the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall, a not for profit, donor-funded performing arts center located in Clearwater, FL, will be the tournament’s charity of choice.  

Through the generosity of The Legends Tour, the Official Senior Tour of the LPGA, one hundred percent of ticket proceeds will benefit the Hoffman Institute which provides lifelong learning opportunities through accessibility, exploration, discovery and mastery of the arts. Event tickets are now available through Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Ticket Office in exchange for a recommended donation of $15 per day, per ticket; donations of all amounts will be accepted.  

The 36-hole tournament, the first major featured on The Legends Tour, will feature a $300,000 purse and host some of the greatest female golfers of all time. Player commitments are scheduled for release later in October. 

“We are thrilled to have such a wonderful charity partner in Ruth Eckerd Hall,” said Legends Tour CEO Jane Blalock. “Its commitment to the arts, children and the community reflect the values of our title sponsor Dr. Haruhisa Handa. On his behalf, as well as the Legends of the LPGA who will be competing in November, we thank Ruth Eckerd Hall for its commitment to our tournament and look forward to great fundraising success.” 

Tournament grounds passes are available online at www.rutheckerdhall.com, by calling 727.791.7400 or visiting the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office, open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 pm at 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater, FL. Advance tournament tickets are not required and donations may also be made at the gate during the event.  

“We are proud that The Legends Tour, in partnership with Innisbrook, has selected the Hoffman Institute as the charity of choice. This places a wonderful spotlight on another facet of what Ruth Eckerd Hall provides to our community,” said Robert A. Freedman, President and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall and Ruth Eckerd Hall Foundation. 

Matthew Hoffman, Immediate Past Chair of the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors added, “My family has always recognized the important role that the performing arts have for children's education and development. The money raised from doing this event will help us continue to provide exceptional programs for the children of our community.” 

Ruth Eckerd Hall, a not-for-profit, donor-funded performing arts center located in Clearwater, presents nearly 250 performances to more than 325,000 Tampa Bay residents and offers over 210,000 hours of hands-on performing arts experiences to nearly 100,000 students annually.  

“As a keen supporter of the arts, our partnership with the Hoffman Institute and Ruth Eckerd Hall gives me tremendous pride that we are furthering such an important part of these students’ lives,” said Innisbrook Owner Sheila C. Johnson, who is a former music teacher and classically trained violinist, “As a community we can come together to enjoy the exceptionally talented women of the Legends Tour, with the knowledge we are supporting such a worthy cause. This is a winning relationship on many levels.”     

SIDEBAR

What: Legends Tour Open Championship

When: November 20-22

Where: The Island Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Innisbrook, FL

Cost: A recommended donation of $15 per day, per ticket. Donations of all amounts accepted. Advanced tickets are not required for entrance into the tournament.

Ticket Information: www.rutheckerdhall.com, 727.791.7400 or at 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater, FL

Tournament/Sponsorship Information: www.legendstouropen.com or 617.206.9757

Venue Information: www.innisbrookgolfresort.com or 727.942.2000 

About The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall
The purpose of the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute is to provide lifelong learning opportunities which provide accessibility, exploration, discovery and mastery of the arts.  The institution encompasses three distinct arts education divisions; producing, presenting and instruction.  Each division goes far beyond the walls of the Hoffman Institute into schools, community centers, hospitals, specialty residencies and other arts centers throughout Pinellas County, the State of Florida and the east coast of the United States of America.  Designed by the prestigious Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Ruth Eckerd Hall is known for its 2,180-seat, acoustically perfect auditorium. Artists from America and around the world, ranging from classical, rock, opera, Broadway, jazz, pop and more are included in the stellar lineup of more than 200 performances a year.  Ruth Eckerd Hall is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 performing arts centers in the country. Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Ruth Eckerd Hall Foundation are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. For details, visit www.rutheckerdhall.com.
 

About The Legends Tour
The Legends Tour is the Official Legends Tour of the LPGA. The tour began in 2000 by LPGA professionals to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women’s golfers of all time. The Legends Tour has over 100 members, including nine LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have over 600 combined LPGA Tour victories, including 55 major championships. In its seven seasons, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $6 million in prize money and donated more than $7.25 million to charity. The Legends Tour has hosted events in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Japan and Australia. For additional information on The Legends Tour, log on to www.thelegendstour.com.
 

About Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club – a Salamander Hospitality resort
Situated on 900 wooded acres of rolling hills and 70 acres of lakes in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is located just 25 minutes from Tampa International Airport. Recently and completely renovated, Innisbrook features 72 holes of championship golf, 608 spacious guest suites and rooms, four restaurants and three bars, the Innisbrook Golf Institute, 11 tennis courts, the new full-service Indaba Spa with 12 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art Fitness Center, six heated swimming pool complexes, a nature preserve, and three conference halls with 65,000 square feet of meeting space. Innisbrook is a member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and Preferred Golf Club programs. For additional information call 727.942.2000 or visit www.innisbrookgolfresort.com.   

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