Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am

TAMPA, FL, May 16, 2007 - The 2007 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am announced on May 16, 2007 that a record amount of $800,000 will be distributed to Tampa Bay area charities during a press conference at Lee Roy Selmon's restaurant. An astonishing $7.6 million has been raised since the tournament started 20 years ago.

The five charities that will share the proceeds of the 2007 tournament are the following: Blooming Place for Kids, Derrick Brooks Charities, Life Path Hospice and Palliative Care, Tampa General Hospital Foundation, and The Children's Home.

 "The success of this tournament is not just measured by the field of players and celebrities that participate," said Chris Sullivan, vice-chairman and co-founder of OSI Restaurant Partners, Inc.

"Our goal is to put on a thriving tournament that will continue to accelerate donations to local charities that continuously give back to our community. I am pleased that we have raised a record high this year and that means success," Sullivan concluded.

 "We could not do this without the Tampa Bay community, Champions Tour Professionals, sponsors, and celebrities that continuously support this tournament," said Tom Shannon, tournament chairman. "This is the moment where all of the hard work is more than worth it." 

The 2008 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am will take place on April 14-20. This immediately follows The Masters and is traditionally an open week for the Champions Tour. Moving the event gives it the advantage of Daylight Savings Time, which will provide additional daylight playing time for the 76-team field of Champions Tour professionals, celebrities and amateurs.

 "We hope the time change of the tournament will not only give us better weather, but increase participants, sponsors, and fans which in return will bring more money to the Tampa Bay charities," said Amy Hawk, tournament director of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

For volunteer and ticket information please call the tournament office at 813-265-GOLF or visit www.outbackproam.com.

About the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am & Tournament Format

The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am is the first-ever winner of the Inaugural Champions Tour President's Award that is given to the event that best exemplifies the Champions Tour commitment to presenting its product, charity and involvement in the community.

In its first four years, the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Foundation, Inc. raised over $1,870,000 through corporate sponsorships and other charitable donations.  Since its inception 20 years ago, this tournament has contributed over $7.6 million to Tampa Bay area charities.
This year's charities are: Blooming Place for Kids, Derrick Brooks Charities, LifePath Hospice and Palliative Care, Tampa General Hospital Foundation and The Children's Home.

The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Charity Foundation Inc. is a 501 C 3 not-for-profit organization founded in October of 2003.

The tournament format includes a full 76-player Champions Tour field.   In addition, 76 amateurs and celebrities will have the opportunity to play under actual tournament conditions throughout the weekend.  The Champions Tour players will compete with each other in the normal scoring format.  On Friday & Saturday - One (1) amateur with one (1) professional will play in a team format (76 twosomes).  Team scoring will be one best ball of two.  The pairing will remain the same throughout the competition.  On Sunday, 16 pro-am teams will advance based on low score.  Of the 16 amateurs, five (5) are guaranteed to be celebrities.  Starting times will be made based on the professionals score in the competition. 

The defending champions are Tom Watson and Bill Murray.
The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am will be played at the TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, FL, April 14-20, 2008 and will be aired on The Golf Channel (Friday) and NBCSports (Saturday and Sunday).