Walter Hall And Ben Crenshaw Confirm Their Intention To Play 2002 At&T Canada Senior Open

Contact Victor Cui
RCGA
905-849-9700 x 227
cui@rcga.org

LASALLE, Ontario, Canada (May 23, 2002) - Walter Hall and Ben Crenshaw are the first to confirm their intention to play the 2002 AT&T Canada Senior Open. The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) announced today that the defending champion and the Senior Tour rookie will tee it up July 1-7 at Essex Golf & Country Club, near Windsor, Ontario in Canada's only Senior PGA Tour event.

"We are delighted to confirm that Walter Hall will be defending his AT&T Canada Senior Open title," said Michael Taylor, Tournament Director. "With tough competitors like Ben Crenshaw also in the hunt for the trophy, golf fans in southwestern Ontario are guaranteed an unforgettable golf experience."

Walter Hall's dramatic playoff win over Ed Dougherty in the 2001 AT&T Canada Senior Open was his first since joining the Senior PGA Tour in 1997. That win helped boost him over the $1 million mark for the season, landing in 11th spot on the 2001 money list.

Though he may be a rookie on the Senior PGA Tour, Ben Crenshaw is no newcomer to the winner's circle. The 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup team captain helped his team stage the biggest comeback in the event's history, winning 8 1Ž2 points in singles matches on the final day for the win. With 19 PGA Tour victories under his belt and over $7 million in career earnings, he joins the Senior Tour as a force to be reckoned with.

The 2002 AT&T Canada Senior Open will be played July 1-7 at Essex Golf & Country Club in LaSalle, Ontario, near Windsor. Tickets may be ordered on-line at www.rcga.org, by phone at 1-800-310-RCGA and at a number of local retailers including Tecumseh Golf Centre in Tecumseh, Ont., Freeds of Windsor, Windsor, Ont., Diane Shoes, Windsor, Ont., Broken Tee Golf, Chatham, Ont. and Carl's Golfland in Bloomfield Hills and Plymouth, Michigan.

For those interested in helping out at the 2002 AT&T Canada Senior Open, volunteers are needed in a wide range of areas including transportation, marshalling, scoring, hospitality and player services. Volunteers must commit to four shifts of four to six hours each during tournament week, and are required to purchase a uniform for a $35 fee. In return they receive a limited-edition shirt and hat, a volunteer badge valid for the entire week, plus two complimentary weekly passes for friends or family. This is a unique opportunity for golf fans to have fun and experience the Senior PGA Tour from behind the scenes. For more information on the volunteer program please visit www.rcga.org or contact the tournament office at 519-734-7083.

AT&T Canada has been the proud sponsor of Canada's Senior PGA Tour event since 1998. Though the company remains committed to presenting an exciting and successful 2002 event, it does not intend to renew its sponsorship contract, which expires at the end of the 2002 season. Negotiations with a number of potential sponsors are currently underway.

The Royal Canadian Golf Association, the governing body of men's amateur golf in Canada, has been conducting Canada's only Senior PGA Tour event since 1981. Past champions of this prestigious event include Jim Ahern and Tom Jenkins. For more information about the 2002 AT&T Canada Senior Open please visit www.rcga.org.