Buick Open

FIRST EVENT EVER TO BE HONORED BY THE ORGANIZATION

DETRIOT (Jan. 23, 2008) - The storied history and prestige of the Buick Open will be honored at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF) 53rd Annual Induction Ceremony Present by Big Boy Restaurant on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. The Buick Open is the first event o receive this distinguished honor.

"The rich and proud history of the Buick Open is one of the great sporting institutions in the state of Michigan," said Tony Michaels, CEO Big Boy Restaurants and MSHOF chairman. "The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame strives to honor not only the outstanding performance of individual athletes, but also to celebrate events that have become iconic milestones on the calendar of sports fans around the great state of Michigan such as the Buick Open."

Buick is the original corporate sponsor of the PGA TOUR. The inaugural Buick Open took place in 1958 at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc. Billy Casper captured the $9.000 first prize and a new Buick for his efforts. The Buick Open, currently one of the more popular events on the PGA TOUR among professionals, now has a purse of five million dollars.

"We are excited to be the first event honored by the Michgan Sports Hall of Fame," said Larry Peck, Buick Golf Marketing Manager. "This is a very special day for everyone at Buick and Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club. We look forward to continuing the tradition of outstanding tournament golf in Michigan."

Some of the greats to play in the Buick Open are Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Tommy Bolt, Miller Barber, Don January, Julius Boros, Tom Weiskoff, Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw, Brad Faxon, Fred Couples, Justin Leonard and Vijay Singh.

The Buick Open has a strong tradition of charitable giving in Southeast Michigan. The tournament has raised $8.8 million for area charities. The 2008 Buick Open will take place during the week of June 23-29. A special 50th anniversary celebration will take place leading up to, and during, the tournament.

Tickets to the event at Max M. Fisher Music Center are $250 for a VIP package which includes prime seating, a special 5 p.m. reception with inductees and MSHOF members, a 6 p.m. strolling supper and the 7:30 p.m. induction ceremony in Orchestra Hall, and a $150 ticket* (*$75 for ages eight to 12) which includes the strolling supper and the induction ceremony. For the first-time, $35 "upper deck" balcony-level tickets are also available to the induction ceremony including a limited-edition commemorative Class of 2007 poster. All tickets can be purchased at www.detoitsymphony.com by calling 313-576-1111, or in-person at the detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall box office at 3711 Woodward Avenue.

The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame is a 501@3 non-profit organization.

Source: The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Contacts:

Jim Starck, Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 248-473-0656

Kurt Kosmowski, The Kosmowski Group 248-346-4360

Al Abrams, Buick Open 646-210-7016