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Chick-fil-A Charity Championship Hosted By Nancy Lopez To Be Four Round Event In 2004 Contact John Marshall STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. (April 24, 2003) - The Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez, a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 1992, will become a 72-hole tournament beginning next year. The 2004 event will be held the week of April 26 through May 2 with tournament rounds scheduled for April 29 through May 2. Long regarded as one of the Tour's most successful events and most popular among the players, it is hoped by tournament organizers that the extension to 72 holes will give the Chick-fil-A even more stature in the world of women's professional golf. "We have been very pleased over the years at how our tournament has been received by the players and the fans," said Tournament Director Torrey Gane. "This is yet another step we are taking to further enhance the Chick-fil-A as one of the greatest golf tournaments in the world." The tournament, which has been played at Eagle's Landing Country Club in Stockbridge since its inception, annually attracts one of the LPGA Tour's strongest fields. This year 47 out of the top 50 from the 2002 money list and 92 from the 100 are in the field. Three of those that are not here are pregnant and unable to compete. Over the years, the tournament has been won by many of the greatest names in golf including Dottie Pepper, Trish Johnson, Val Skinner, Laura Davies, Barb Mucha, Nancy Lopez (her last tournament win), Liselotte Neumann, Rachel Teske, Sophie Gustafson, Annika Sorenstam and defending champion Juli Inkster. "Chick-fil-A's title sponsorship of this wonderful event has been a very special experience for our company with the support we have received ," said Steve Robinson, Senior VP, CMO at Chick-fil-A. "As the tournament has grown in stature and popularity, so have the contributions to WinShape Homes(R) and other charities that have reached $1 million the last two years. We look at this increase to 72 holes as yet another significant jump in the stature of our event. We can't thank our sponsors enough," added Robinson. "Changing the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez from a 54-hole event to a 72-hole event in 2004 will give LPGA fans in the Atlanta area an even greater opportunity to see the LPGA Tour at its best," said LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw. "Chick-fil-A has been an exemplary title sponsor since 1995, and Nancy Lopez is a warm and welcoming host. This event has enjoyed immense success as a three-day tournament, and I am confident its popularity and quality will remain high in the future as a four-day event." Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A has been the tournament's title sponsor since 1995. With more than 1,090 locations, Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc., is the nation's third-largest chicken restaurant company based on sales. The tournament benefits WinShape Homes(R), a long-term foster care program created by Chick-fil-A founder and CEO Truett Cathy, and Nancy's favorite charity, AIM for the handicapped. |