Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open

May 2 – 5

 

(Baton Rouge, La.)

The 2012 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open presented by Our Lady of the Lake is just around the corner! Proceeds from this annual event, marking its 22nd year, benefit Mary Bird Perkins 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. The professional tournament will begin on Wednesday, May 2 and continue through Saturday, May 5 at Santa Maria Golf Course.
“Community volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of local cancer patients started this tournament more than two decades ago. We are thankful for all those who have come together to make this awesome event possible once again this year,” said Todd Stevens, CEO and president, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
The Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open is affiliated with the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series and remains the only professional tournament in the Baton Rouge area. “Not only is it a featured event for players, but we have witnessed several quality pros win over the years,” said Adams Golf Pro Tour Series Director, Tyler Wolford. In the last decade, seven out of 10 past champions either currently hold or have held their PGA or Nationwide Tour card. Two of the last four champions earned their first ever professional win in Baton Rouge – Dawie Van Der Walt in 2008, and Brice Garnett in 2010. “This year we anticipate a field size of 120 players competing for an estimated purse of $100,000 with a first place prize of $15,000,” said Wolford. “We can’t wait to be back and look forward to another great event.”
The Pro-Am tournament takes place one day before the professional tournament on Tuesday, May 1 at Santa Maria Golf Course. An Adams pro golfer is placed with each sponsored three-man team to play in a “shamble” format. It is an extremely popular event as plenty of delicious food and cold drinks are in abundance as well as great prizes for holes-in-one, closest to the pin and longest drive.  A few sponsorships with pro-am teams are still available. Call Randy Haddad at 225-215-1208 for details.
Friday, May 4 from 4 – 5 p.m. Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company will sponsor a free Junior Clinic at the Santa Maria Golf Course driving range for children 6 – 16 in association with BREC’s The First Tee and Adams Pro Golf Tour Series Professionals. No reservations are necessary.

 

For additional information about all other aspects of the Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open, contact Randy Haddad at 225-215-1208 or by email at rhaddad@marybird.com.

Visit us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/marybirdperkins

 

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 40 years with locations in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales. It has comprehensive cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons – the gold standard for community-based cancer care.