Adams Golf Pro Tour Set for April 29 – May 2 at The Bluffs Golf Resort
(Baton Rouge, La.) Local golfers and fans are invited to join the fight against cancer and enjoy some great sports entertainment. The 2015 Merrill Lynch Open, presented by the Law Offices of Steven J. Moore, will tee off with a professional tournament April 29 and continue through May 2 at The Bluffs Golf Resort in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Proceeds from this annual event benefit Mary Bird Perkins –Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center by supporting its mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer through expert treatment, compassionate care, early detection, research and education.
“Community volunteers wanting to make a difference in the lives of local cancer patients started this tournament twenty-five years ago, “ said Todd Stevens, CEO and president, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Thousands of patients and their families have been helped by the more than $2.1 million raised to date. We are thankful for all those who have come together to make this awesome event possible once again this year.”
The Merrill Lynch Open is affiliated with the Adams Golf Pro Tour and remains the only professional tournament in the Capital Region. It is the highest guaranteed purse on the Adams Pro Tour schedule at $125,000 with a first place prize of $20,000. “Among the many players who successfully graduated from the Adams Pro Tour to the PGA Tour are Dawie Van Der Walt and Brice Garnett who earned their first ever professional win in Baton Rouge in 2008 and 2010, respectively,” said Adams Pro Tour President, Gary DeSerrano. “We look forward to bringing the pros back to town in late April. Come out and watch some of the future stars on the PGA Tour. Admission is free.”
Other activities held in conjunction with the tournament include the Hillar C. Moore, Jr. Memorial Pro-Am tournament and the Junior Clinic.
The Hillar C. Moore, Jr. Memorial Pro-Am tournament takes place one day before the professional tournament Tuesday, April 28 at The Bluffs Golf Resort. An Adams pro golfer is placed with each sponsored three-man team to play in a “shamble” format. It is an extremely popular event with food and cold libations as well as prizes for holes-in-one. A few sponsorships with pro-am teams are still available. Call Randy Haddad at 225-215-1208 for details.
On Monday, April 27 from 4-5 p.m. Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, in association with Adams Pro Golf Tour professionals, will sponsor a free Junior Clinic for ages 6-16 at the Bluffs Golf Resort driving range. No reservations are necessary.
For additional information on the Merrill Lynch Open, contact Randy Haddad at 225-215-1208 or by email at rhaddad@marybird.com.
Mary Bird Perkins—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is the most comprehensive cancer center in Louisiana offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced care close to home.