The Honda Classic

The Honda Classic has formed a new group of local community and business leaders who will work with the tournament on an ongoing basis to increase the event's base of community support.

The Ambassador's Club is a newly created "By Invitation Only" distinguished club with membership offered to an elite group of Business and Community leaders who share in the passion of golf and interest in supporting local charitable efforts. The objective of the Ambassador's Club is to create true "Ambassadors" for the tournament on a year-round basis, who will assist in the sales and marketing of the Honda Classic whose primary beneficiary is the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation. Membership is determined by the Executive Committee and the Board of the Honda Classic.

The Club will hold its first meeting January 18 with 27 local leaders already listed as members.

The list of invited and accepted members includes: Peter Bernhardt - Principle, McDonald & Hopkins law firm; Mike Bracci - President, Northern Trust Bank of Florida; Neil Gaeta - President, Gaeta Development; Joel Paige - Managing Director, PGA National Resort & Spa; Bob Coman - Director of Golf, PGA National Golf Club; Tom Frankel - President, Frankel Development Company; Maria Marino - LPGA Professional; Hunter Wilson - President, Asset Management Advisors, a SunTrust company; Lee Chimerakis - President, Chimerakis Group, Oppenheimer & Co. North Palm Beach; Phil Arvidson - Past President Pepsi Cola Palm Beach and SVP Moroso Motorsports Park; Halsey Smith - Managing Director, Wilmington Trust Bank; Joe Beditz - CEO, National Golf Foundation; Llwyd Ecclestone - CEO, Ecclestone Signature Homes; Steve Gebhardt- Managing Director, Fifth Third Bank; Bill Callahan - former SEC attorney; Rich Johnston - Partner, Public Concepts; Bob Kelly, CEO - Nicklaus Golf Equipment; Pat Rooney, Jr. - CEO, Palm Beach Kennel Club; Lanny Kromer - Representative, Andrew Carrington Apparel; Bob Butterworth; Larry Chandler; Tommy Belen - Executive Director, Palm Beach County Golf Association; Carl Mistretta - Past President, Palm Beach County Golf Association; Skip Goldenberg - Attorney; John Lipari - Managing Director, Smith Barney; Charlie Trepcos, COO, Thies & Co.; Brian Peaper - Director of Golf, Lost Tree Club; Dan Snider, COO, Alotian Club

The Ambassador's Club is the brainchild of first-year Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly, who is working hard to further establish The Honda Classic in the local community.

"It is important that we form a committee made up of community business leaders who want to embrace the Honda Classic and the PGA Tour," Kennerly said. "These members would truly be "ambassadors" for the tournament and promote and help sell the tournament into the community."

The Ambassador's Club concept has been successful for some of the PGA Tour's elite events such as the FBR Open in Phoenix (Thunderbirds), Salesmanship Club (Dallas), and the Conquistadors (Tuscon).

The Thunderbirds were formed in 1937 with 55 members and now consist of more than 300 members devoted to community projects in the Phoenix area. The Salesmanship Club in Dallas has grown to 600 members and runs several programs and centers for Families and youth in Texas. The Conquistadors have helped manage the Tuscon Open since 1966.

"These tournaments rely heavily on their respective organizations in promoting their tournaments with every member of the club generating substantial revenue in order to maintain their membership in the club," Kennerly said. "A sense of pride and ownership of the tournament is inbred with every member, and these organizations have proved to be extremely valuable in raising the profile of the tournament and ultimately the annual charitable contributions.

"Our terms will start small and increase. We have an annual membership fee of $500 and each member will be asked to raise a minimum of $2500 for the tournament through ticket sales, hospitality packages, pro-am spots and advertising. We expect to add members upon member and Board recommendations."