National Native American Golf Invitation Tees Off at Whirlwind

The First Annual National Native American Golf Invitational at the Whirlwind Golf Club tees off tomorrow. The Gila River Indian Community and the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority are sponsoring the August 26-29 event.

The tournament will offer professional and amateur Native American Golfers with a certified USGA handicap of two or less a chance to qualify for an exemption into the Nationwide PGA Tour event to be held at the Whirlwind Golf Club, October 4-10, 2004.

The Gila River Indian Community is the first tribe to host an exclusive national Native American golf invitational. The three-day tournament includes a two-day golf clinic for minority youth an awards dinner honoring all of the athletes and accommodations at the AAA Four Diamond Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa for tournament participants.

In addition to the chance to qualify for the Nationwide PGA Tour exemption, professional golfers participating in the tournament will compete for a total purse of $20,000. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gila River Boys & Girls Club.

For more information, call Kimberly Lewis or Gary Williams at the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority at (520) 796-5389.