US Futures Tour goes south of the Border down Mexico way

NEWS RELEASE
The LPGA's developmental tour, the Duramed Futures Tour, and Carri Sports Marketing S.A. de C.V., announced today the inaugural Mexico Classic, to be held March 22-28, at El Tigre Golf and Country Club in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. The 54-hole tournament marks the first international full-field event in the Futures Tour's 30-year history.
"We are very pleased for the first time to be able to showcase our very talented players outside the United States," said Zayra F. Calderon, CEO of the Duramed Futures Tour. "As the Tour continues to flourish, Mexico is a great platform to extend our reach and provide the citizens of Mexico the chance to see the LPGA stars of tomorrow and some of their own professionals compete for the largest purse on Tour."
"I'm very excited to see that golf is growing a lot in Mexico with more tournaments," said Lorena Ochoa, Duramed Futures Tour's 2002 Player of the Year, who earned her LPGA membership through the developmental tour. "To have a Duramed Futures Tour tournament in our country is very special. I want to say congratulations and help welcome the players to Mexico."
The $150,000 tournament will feature a field of 144-players, including special invitees from Mexico. El Tigre golf course is a par-72 course, designed by Robert Von Hagge and Rick Berril. The course, which opened in March 2002, has previously hosted the Copa de las Americas, and the Canadian Tour.
The Mexico Classic marks a five-year agreement between the Duramed Futures Tour and Carri Sports Marketing. Carri Sports Marketing manages more than 33 amateur and professional sporting events across Mexico. Carri Sports Marketing also assisted with the Nationwide Tour's 2009 Mexico Open.
"We are very pleased to be part of bringing the Duramed Futures Tour to Mexico for the first time," said Hugo Rivero Laing, President of Carri Sports Marketing. "With this joint effort between the Tour, El Tigre Golf and Country Club, our sponsors, and the government of Nayarit, Mexico, we look to stimulate women's golf in Mexico and present an enormous opportunity for Mexican players to compete alongside the Tour's great players."
The top Mexican-born finisher in the event, whether a Duramed FuturesTour member or a special invitee, will receive a special exemption to compete in the LPGA's tournament held at Tres Marias Golf Club in Morelia, Mexico in 2010.
The full 2010 Duramed Futures Tour schedule will be announced in December.