MKJo
11-10-2009, 22:52
Erik Compton has received the fourth and final sponsor exemption for the 2009 Children’s Miracle Network Classic Nov. 12-15 at Walt Disney World Resort. Compton joins two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, former PGA Championship winner Rich Beem and former Big Break X: Michigan winner Haymes Snedeker as sponsor exemptions.
Sponsor's exemptions are extended to players who otherwise wouldn't qualify for the field of 128 players that will tee off in the PGA TOUR Fall Series finale on Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses.
This year’s tournament marks the second consecutive year Compton has received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. A former No.1-ranked junior and a two-time All-American at Georgia who has overcome two heart transplants to compete for a spot on the PGA TOUR, Compton finished 60th (tie) at Disney in 2008, including a second-round 68.
“We’re pleased to welcome back Erik for this year’s Classic,” said tournament chairman Kevin Weickel. “Undoubtedly, his story of purpose and resolve has inspired many throughout the golf world, and this year his resolve is proven once again as he will be walking the tournament – showing again strength and perseverance to accomplish your dream.”
A year ago, Compton was granted a release from the TOUR’s stipulation that players walk during tournament rounds, as he was less than six months beyond his second heart transplant. At age nine, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that hinders its ability to pump blood. Three years later, in 1992, he received his first new heart at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Five years later, Compton lit up Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses, winning the prestigious AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic in 1997. He was a member of the 2001 Walker Cup team, then turned professional later that year. Most of his events have been on the Nationwide Tour, but he also has PGA TOUR events on his resume as far back as 2002.
Compton’s most recent eyebrow-raising effort was in late October during the first stage of “Q School” – PGA TOUR qualifying – on the Wanamaker course at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. He capped a 22-under-par 266 with a final-round 66 to win his site by seven shots. There are 13 sites in the opening stage of Q school, in which nearly 1,000 players compete for about 25 PGA Tour cards.
Before moving on to the second stage of Q school, though, Compton joins a field of players shooting for shares of a $4.7 million purse in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. The defending champion is TOUR veteran Davis Love III, who last year joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Vijah Singh, Jack Nicklaus, Payne Stewart and Raymond Floyd as winners of the prestigious Disney tournament. The Classic title was Love’s 20th career win, providing him a lifetime exemption on tour.
Tickets for individual rounds ($10) and badges for Classic week ($20) are available at www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkClassic.com (http://www.childrensmiraclenetworkclassic.com/) or through www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Net proceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, including the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, and Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.
The Golf Channel will air the Children’s Miracle Network Classic live, Nov 12.-15.
Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Each year the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. Thousands of special events and grassroots fund raisers are conducted year-round through a coalition of premier children’s hospitals, media partners and corporate volunteers working together to ensure healthy kids in their communities. To donate or to learn more, go to www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org (http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/).
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom); two water adventure parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon); 34 resort hotels (24 owned and operated by Walt Disney World, including seven Disney Vacation Club resort properties and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground); 81 holes of golf on five courses; two full-service spas; Disney’s Wedding Pavilion; Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex encompassing the Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side. Walt Disney World Resort is also included in vacation packages ofDisney Cruise Line. Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971. Open daily, year-round.
Sponsor's exemptions are extended to players who otherwise wouldn't qualify for the field of 128 players that will tee off in the PGA TOUR Fall Series finale on Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses.
This year’s tournament marks the second consecutive year Compton has received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. A former No.1-ranked junior and a two-time All-American at Georgia who has overcome two heart transplants to compete for a spot on the PGA TOUR, Compton finished 60th (tie) at Disney in 2008, including a second-round 68.
“We’re pleased to welcome back Erik for this year’s Classic,” said tournament chairman Kevin Weickel. “Undoubtedly, his story of purpose and resolve has inspired many throughout the golf world, and this year his resolve is proven once again as he will be walking the tournament – showing again strength and perseverance to accomplish your dream.”
A year ago, Compton was granted a release from the TOUR’s stipulation that players walk during tournament rounds, as he was less than six months beyond his second heart transplant. At age nine, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that hinders its ability to pump blood. Three years later, in 1992, he received his first new heart at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Five years later, Compton lit up Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses, winning the prestigious AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic in 1997. He was a member of the 2001 Walker Cup team, then turned professional later that year. Most of his events have been on the Nationwide Tour, but he also has PGA TOUR events on his resume as far back as 2002.
Compton’s most recent eyebrow-raising effort was in late October during the first stage of “Q School” – PGA TOUR qualifying – on the Wanamaker course at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. He capped a 22-under-par 266 with a final-round 66 to win his site by seven shots. There are 13 sites in the opening stage of Q school, in which nearly 1,000 players compete for about 25 PGA Tour cards.
Before moving on to the second stage of Q school, though, Compton joins a field of players shooting for shares of a $4.7 million purse in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. The defending champion is TOUR veteran Davis Love III, who last year joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Vijah Singh, Jack Nicklaus, Payne Stewart and Raymond Floyd as winners of the prestigious Disney tournament. The Classic title was Love’s 20th career win, providing him a lifetime exemption on tour.
Tickets for individual rounds ($10) and badges for Classic week ($20) are available at www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkClassic.com (http://www.childrensmiraclenetworkclassic.com/) or through www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Net proceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, including the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, and Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.
The Golf Channel will air the Children’s Miracle Network Classic live, Nov 12.-15.
Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Each year the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. Thousands of special events and grassroots fund raisers are conducted year-round through a coalition of premier children’s hospitals, media partners and corporate volunteers working together to ensure healthy kids in their communities. To donate or to learn more, go to www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org (http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/).
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom); two water adventure parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon); 34 resort hotels (24 owned and operated by Walt Disney World, including seven Disney Vacation Club resort properties and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground); 81 holes of golf on five courses; two full-service spas; Disney’s Wedding Pavilion; Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex encompassing the Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side. Walt Disney World Resort is also included in vacation packages ofDisney Cruise Line. Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971. Open daily, year-round.