Making just his second visit to the United States since being named captain of the 2010 European Ryder Cup team last year, Colin Montgomerie has accepted an exemption to compete in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, to be held March 22-28 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

An eight-time winner of the European Tour Order of Merit as leading money winner, a record, Montgomerie has competed just three times this year, all on the European Tour, with his best finish a tie for 60th at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The accomplished Scotsman has made 12 previous appearances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, and has made the cut eight times with a tie for eighth his high-water mark when he 7-under 281. He shot 1-under 143 but missed the cut in his last visit to Bay Hill in 2008.

Montgomerie said he is planning to arrive in the U.S. this week to work with his coach, Paul Marchand, who is based in Houston, before heading to Bay Hill. “The game hasn’t been great the last year, so, unfortunately, it’s most of it we’ll be working on,” said Montgomerie, who registered the last of his 31 European Tour wins at the 2007 Smurfit Kappa European Open. “I’ve got to hit more fairways. If I can’t hit the fairways then I can hit the greens and go from there, but I haven’t been hitting fairways with the regularity I’m used to, so that’s the issue. I mean, you can’t play Bay Hill if you can’t hit the fairways.”

The Championship Course at Bay Hill has been renovated since Montgomerie last competed, and he said he was eager to see what the tournament host had done. “I’m sure what’s been done was needed, and I would think that Arnold Palmer would want to have one of the best – if not the best – U.S. tournaments carrying his name.”

With the Ryder Cup approaching in October, Montgomerie admitted that it’s not just his golf game that will occupy his attention when he arrives in Orlando. “It’s nice to come to the States and to play and to witness the form of the American team, but also my own. There’s a number of British and European players who are going to be competing at Bay Hill, so it will be nice to catch up with them and see how they’re getting on, so it’s all good.”

One of the most prestigious stops on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world, and it boasts an impressive array of champions, including recent winners like six-time champion Tiger Woods, Chad Campbell, Ernie Els, Paul Goydos, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry and Vijay Singh.

For tickets to the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, visit the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com
216-436-3409

“Bay Hill is always one of those places you look forward to getting back to,” says Davis Love III, “but I think there’s even a little bit more of a buzz about it this year.”

There is, indeed, more of a buzz about the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, and it could mean one of the most exciting editions yet in the tournament hosted for the 32nd year by arguably the game’s most iconic and popular figure.

“I think it could be a very interesting week,” says Ernie Els, who won at Bay Hill in 1998. “I heard from my sources in Orlando that they have changed the golf course again, so I wanted to go check it out, basically. I’m curious to see what they have changed. And I heard a lot of good things about it.”

“You know, I just love that golf course,” says 2005 champion Kenny Perry. “It’s always set up well for me, and it’s really a great driver’s golf course. And now I hear that Arnold has made it even better. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what’s been changed.”

What changes have been made Palmer insists are for the better.

Tees and greens have been changed, with the putting surfaces recontoured and the edges flattened. They have been resurfaced in a new strain of Bermuda grass, too: Emerald Dwarf. Bunkers have been repositioned throughout and also have been made more visible, with their sculpted faces pulled to the tops of mounds. Flanking bunkers have been replaced by more offset traps, while bunkers around the greens have been drawn in closer to the putting surfaces. Finally, many of the greens feature runoff areas where once rough or bunkers were in play, providing new short-game challenges.

While those tweaks might signal a change in philosophy, Palmer will tell you it merely strengthens the intrinsic value of the course that already was in place.

“We haven’t changed the bottom line on what the golf course is, what the shot values are, but a lot of holes we’ve actually strengthened in that regard,” Palmer says. “We’ve created some tougher pin positions, too. We looked at ways to make improvements and make it more challenging. It’s just all-around a better golf course and one that should provide a strong, fair test.”

Palmer is especially eager to see how the new chipping areas impact strategy and scoring. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about and wanting to do at Bay Hill for some time,” he said. “Rather than just throwing a bunker here or there, we’ve got some new things going on that are really going to make the guys think.”

The course also has been lengthened slightly, to 7,381 yards, and the additional length was part of the reason that Palmer decided to restore tournament par to 72 after a three-year trial playing the Championship Course at par-70. The par-5 fourth and 16th holes were converted to par-4s strictly for the tournament, but Palmer decided that he’d rather see the contestants go for scoring, perhaps in the manner that he used to do in his prime. “We’ve decided it’s more fun to see the guys go out and try to make birdies and eagles than to see them maybe settling for pars or putting up other scores.”

That decision was widely applauded by many players.

“I know it’s just a number on the scorecard, but from the standpoint of scoring and making a move, it’s going to be fun to try and make birdies and eagles coming down the stretch, and 16 is going to be such a pivotal hole in that,” Love said.

Added 2007 winner Vijay Singh: Vijay: “I think it does make it more fun at a par-72. It’s all in your head, but that’s what it is. Four and 16 are good par-5s. They were good par-4s, but they’re better as par-5s. It’s a good change.”

“Bay Hill is the kind of golf course where if you hit it well, you’re going to get rewarded, and if you don’t, you’ll struggle, and that’s really all you want when you go play,” says Paul Goydos, who captured the 1996 edition for his first PGA TOUR title. “I’m sure that whatever Arnold has done hasn’t taken away from the nature of the golf course. It’s still going to be about hitting it well. You’re still not going to be able to hide if you’re not on your game. It should be interesting to see what’s been done.”

Palmer said past champions probably still have a leg up on the competition, even after the Bay Hill facelift. “I would suspect that guys who have done well here in the past would continue to do well,” he said. “I think the experience factor will still have an impact on things.”

One of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world, and it boasts an impressive array of champions, including recent winners like Els, Goydos, Perry, Singh, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Chad Campbell.

For tickets to the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com
216-436-3409

One of the first places Steve Stricker visited after he qualified for the PGA TOUR in 1994 was the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, to sit down with Arnold Palmer.

The winner earlier this year at the Northern Trust Open, his eighth TOUR title, Stricker is looking forward to getting reacquainted with the King later this month. The No. 2 player in the world has committed to compete in this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, his first appearance at Bay Hill since 2005.

The 32nd edition of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, one of the premiere events in golf, is scheduled for March 22-28.

Stricker, who has won four of his last 15 starts, likes the Championship Course at Bay Hill, but it hasn’t always reciprocated. He finished fourth in the 1995 edition at 11-under-par 277, his second appearance in the tournament, and he tied for sixth in 1998 at eight-under 280, but he’s mostly struggled there. In his 11 starts at Bay Hill, the native of Wisconsin also has missed the cut five times, including his last four tries in which he shot no better than 73.

Stricker learned in January that Palmer had made extensive changes to Bay Hill last fall and that par had been reverted back to 72, and he admitted then that he was intrigued. Now he has decided to return to the invitational that anchors the TOUR’s four-tournament Florida Swing.

“I like Bay Hill, but for some reason I haven’t always felt comfortable there with my game,” Stricker, 43, said. “I heard there’s been a lot of changes in the last year. Who knows? That could make a difference.”

One of the most prestigious stops on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world, and it boasts an impressive array of winners including six-time champion Tiger Woods, Chad Campbell, Ernie Els, Paul Goydos, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, and Vijay Singh.

For tickets to the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Arnold Palmer reached age 80 in September, but as much as he enjoyed the celebrations marking the occasion, golf’s legendary King admits that the rebirth of his prized layout, the Championship Course at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, was a much more enjoyable experience last autumn.

Palmer oversaw a major renovation of Bay Hill, the renowned course in Orlando, Florida, that he has owned for four decades and which has hosted a PGA TOUR event since 1979, and he is eager to see the game’s best players take on his remodeled creation when the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard returns for its 32nd edition March 22-28.

“We’re all very excited for this year’s tournament and to have the players come here and play the golf course and see what we’ve done,” Palmer said with noted enthusiasm as he talked about the upgrades to a course already considered one of the great ball-striking tests in golf. We’ve had numerous players come in here already and play the golf course, and the reaction we’ve gotten is very good. We think it’s going to be an exciting week of golf.”

While Palmer assures that the ball-striking examination has not been altered appreciably at Bay Hill, the course is in every way strengthened, starting with new tees and greens. Bunkers have been repositioned throughout and the length of the layout has been stretched modestly to clock in at 7,381 yards. The most noticeable change to the layout is that the bunkers, while repositioned, also have been made more visible, with their sculpted faces pulled to the tops of mounds. Flanking bunkers have been replaced by more offset traps, while bunkers around the greens have been tucked closer to the putting surfaces. Finally, many of the greens feature runoff areas where once rough or bunkers were in play, providing new short-game challenges.

While those tweaks might signal a change in philosophy, Palmer will tell you it merely strengthens the intrinsic value of the course that already was in place.

“We haven’t changed the bottom line on what the golf course is, what the shot values are, but a lot of holes we’ve actually strengthened in that regard,” Palmer says. “We’ve created some tougher pin positions, too. We looked at ways to make improvements and make it more challenging. It’s just all-around a better golf course and one that should provide a strong, fair test.”

One more adjustment that Palmer made was restoring tournament par to 72 after a three-year trial playing the Championship Course at par-70. The par-five fourth and 16th holes were converted to par-fours strictly for the tournament, but Palmer decided that he’d rather see the contestants go for scoring, perhaps in the manner that he used to do in his prime. “We’ve decided it’s more fun to see the guys go out and try to make birdies and eagles than to see them maybe settling for pars or putting up other scores.”

One of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world, and it boasts an impressive array of winners, including six-time champion Tiger Woods and other recent winners such as Chad Campbell, Ernie Els, Paul Goydos, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, and Vijay Singh.

Palmer says that he has enjoyed watching the early portion of the golf season unfold and seeing a mixture of young and established players excel on the West Coast. He believes the game remains on a solid foundation. “I think the TOUR is holding its own; it’s doing well,” he says. “I’ve talked to (PGA TOUR commissioner) Tim Finchem, and it’s encouraging what’s happening out there. The consistency of the TOUR is good, and the players are showing continued good play. I think we’re going to see more young people do well.”

While golf is still a passion for Palmer, he finds that other causes occupy more of his time is occupied, causes that take on ever greater importance as the years pass and are near and dear to him. “I’m very involved in the Arnold Palmer Medical Center here, and we’re very happy with what’s happening there. I’m also quite involved in cancer research, and we’re doing a lot of work along those lines. That is something very, very important to me,” Palmer says. “We’re also working with Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson, various medical centers … and all of that is keeping me busy, and I like that. I like doing all of that.

“Golf, well, it’s not the big thing on my list anymore,” the King adds. “It’s in my rearview mirror for the most part as far as me playing a great deal. But I’ll always have golf in me. I can’t bring it out like I used to, but it’s always in there, and it’s always a part of the things that I do and enjoy.”

For tickets to the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Enter the WESH.com Contest

Ernie Els hasn’t competed in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard since 2007, but he has penciled in a return this year and should be teeing it up next month at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, looking to build on a solid start to his 2010 season.

“I kind of didn’t play very well there at Bay Hill for a while. I don’t know if it was the golf course or maybe my own play, but just thought I’d take a break from there,” said Els, a three-time major championship winner who reached age 40 in October. “I heard from my sources in Orlando that they have changed the golf course again, so I wanted to go check it out, basically. I’m curious to see what they have changed. And I heard a lot of good things about it. Bay Hill is a good spot, and traditionally it has some of the best greens we’ve putted on. Making a good course even better should be great for the tournament, and I am looking forward to seeing what was done and taking it on.”

Els last competed in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard in 2007 to run his string of appearances to 15 in a row. He finished tied for 18th, one of three top 20 finishes he’s had at Bay Hill. Of course, among those was his 1998 victory by four strokes over Bob Estes and Jeff Maggert and that victory catapulted him to No. 1 in the world after that year’s Masters Tournament. He held the top spot for nine weeks.

Like his compatriot before him, Gary Player, Els has always been a global ambassador for the game, traveling to all corners to compete. But the former U.S. Open and British Open champion is concentrating more on the PGA TOUR this year. He shrugged when it was suggested that he might be the foremost global player of his era.

“I never thought about it that way. I just did it,” said Els, who has 44 international titles to go with his 15 PGA Tour victories. “That's where I was going. I come from South Africa. I don't think I would have done it any differently. That's just the way we were, we are. Gary Player was that way because he started in South Africa. And he started spreading his wings, I just kind of followed suit, just wherever it came from.”

Els said he also is looking forward to spending a bit of time with the tournament host. “And Arnold, you know, is Arnold. He’s the best, just a beautiful man,” Els said. “You want to honor Arnold as the great champion that he is, and so it’s hard to miss it any year. We also like to play good golf courses, and that all comes together at Bay Hill. It’s always a pretty special week for the guys.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Vijay Singh doesn’t believe in aging gracefully. More to the point, the way he continues to work at his golf game and to keep himself fit, it appears that he doesn’t believe in aging at all. Or, at least, he isn’t about to submit to the idea of aging or slowing down, not even as he nears his 50th birthday.

Singh, who turns 47 on February 22, has reason to keep doing what works. Though he didn’t win last year when he battled a right knee injury that required two surgical procedures, the native of Fiji has collected 34 PGA Tour titles in his career, including the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard. He also owns three major titles: the 2000 Masters and two PGA Championships, in 1998 and 2004, the latter at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, site of this year’s PGA.

Singh’s victory drought dates back to the 2008 DeutscheBank Championship, a triumph that propelled him to the FedExCup title in the second year of the season-long competition, but a return to the Bay Hill Club & Lodge might be just the place to regain that winning form. “I’ll be there for sure,” he said of the 32nd edition of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, scheduled for March 22-28 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

“I have some pretty high expectations. I feel like I have a lot more winning to do, so not winning doesn’t make me very happy, even if I’m playing OK,” Singh said.

Few tournaments have been kinder to the hard-working Singh than the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard. Singh’s first start as a member of the PGA TOUR came at the 1993 edition at Bay Hill, when he posted the first of his three runner-up finishes. Including his 2007 victory, Singh has finished in the top 25 12 times at Bay Hill, and he has never missed the cut in his 17 appearances, which have come consecutively. He is a collective 97 under par, and until last year, when he wasn’t quite 100 percent, Singh had finished under par in every start.

No wonder he is a perennial favorite in the $6 million tournament.

“It’s a ball-striker’s golf course, and I like that,” Singh, a former No. 1 player in the world, said about Bay Hill’s Championship Course, which underwent a significant renovation last year. “You really have to drive it well and hit your irons good. I’ve felt comfortable there from the start. My record, I guess, has been pretty good through the years.

“I think everyone knows how I feel about Arnold, and how much I enjoy playing in his tournament,” Singh added. “I always feel like I owe it to Arnie to go back every year after he gave me a spot, so it’s always on my calendar. You know, as you get a little older you want to pick and choose a little more on your schedule. But Bay Hill has always been one of my favorite events.”

He hopes to keep returning to Bay Hill as long as he can, even with 50 and the Champions Tour approaching. “Age doesn’t matter; it’s absolutely just a number for me right now,” he said. “(But) the body takes a lot of toll. They say the older you get, the harder you have to work at it, and that’s been my motto. We’ll see how long I can keep going.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Davis Love III has been a fan of Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club for many years. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an active player on the PGA Tour who has more of an affinity for the famed and challenging layout in central Florida.

“I’m definitely looking forward to going back there, and I’m eager to see what has been done to the golf course. I’ve heard good things about the changes that have been made there,” says Love, a Life Member on the PGA Tour who enjoys a second career as a golf course designer. After last year’s tournament, won by Tiger Woods with a dramatic birdie on the 72nd hole, Palmer oversaw a renovation of his prized layout that included a complete upgrade of the putting surfaces. The alterations allowed Palmer to restore the Championship Course to par-72 after three years in which the standard was par-70.

Love, 45, boasts a stellar performance history at Bay Hill dating back to 1988 when he was the medalist at the U.S. Open sectional qualifier held there. Three times he has finished runner-up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the first coming in 1989 when he lost to Tom Kite in a playoff. His other seconds came in 1993, behind Ben Crenshaw, and 2000 when he shot a career-best 14- under-par 274, but finished four behind Woods. His seven top-10 finishes also includes a third-place showing in 1999. He has broken par at Bay Hill 36 times with a career low of 63 in the third round of the 2000 tournament.

“I’ve played a lot of golf on those kinds of greens, hard, fast, Bermuda greens, and I am comfortable on them and feel like I can score a little,” says Love, who has likened the Championship Course to a major championship venue in its difficulty and shot values. “It will be interesting to see how the changes to the greens affect things, where bunkers are now, the whole setting. It’s always been a great ball-striker’s course. I would expect Arnold has made it that much better.”

Love has said before that he is overdue to win the coveted prize that goes to the winner. Given his respect and affection for the tournament host, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational would be a welcome achievement for a man who has won 20 PGA Tour titles.

“It’s definitely something you’d like to do, winning those events attached to special people like Arnold or Jack (Nicklaus) or Byron (Nelson),” Love said. “Every time I go to Bay Hill, just to hang around Arnold for a few minutes is pretty special. That in itself is worth it. But, yes, I’d love to win Arnold’s tournament. That’s a good one to have on your record at the end of the day.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

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Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

ORLANDO‚ Fla. (January 19‚ 2010) — The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is Orlando’s signature sporting event being held March 22-28 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Now in its 32nd year‚ the tournament is pleased to announce value airline JetBlue Airways‚ as a sponsor.

“By aligning our brand and our culture with these great partners and Arnold Palmer‚ in particular‚ we hope to inspire fun and friendly competition while giving back to the communities we serve‚'" said Dave Barger‚ CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Mr. Palmer’s personal commitment to the well being of so many through his charities is inspiring‚ and something we look forward to being a part of for years to come.”

“It’s great to have such a generous sponsorship for the Birdies for Babies program in only its second year‚ said Jeffrey Muddell‚ Arnold Palmer Medical Center vice president. “We are looking forward to raising a lot of money this year‚ especially now with the support of JetBlue.”

JetBlue will also donate complimentary flights to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center‚ which will allow the hospitals to help patients and their families with their travel needs when appropriate.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better company to align the tournament with‚” said Scott Wellington‚ Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard tournament director. “We’re very happy to see that others share the tournament’s views on the value of supporting the Arnold Palmer Medical Center and the Central Florida community.

Additionally‚ JetBlue is now the tournament sponsor for the Champions for Arnold’s Kids event being held March 21 and 22‚ 2010 and will also appear in the expo area during the tournament week. In addition to Birdies for Babies delivered by JetBlue‚ the airline will develop new volunteer programs to work directly with and support the hospitals served by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center.

For more information visit ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com.

About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will hold its 32nd annual tournament March 22-28‚ 2010. The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is one of Central Florida’s signature events‚ a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR‚ attracting some of the greatest talent in golf. The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game’s all-time greats — Arnold Palmer. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center‚ including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

About JetBlue
Airways New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value‚ service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares‚ JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue‚" a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights‚ with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 60 cities with 600 daily flights. With JetBlue‚ all seats are assigned‚ all travel is ticketless‚ all fares are one-way‚ and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583)‚ TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.

About Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies‚ supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation‚ is a 285-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of women and babies. The hospital includes comprehensive fetal diagnostics and labor and delivery services‚ a regional center for neonatal intensive care‚ maternal intensive care and women’s services. Annually‚ more than 14̵000 babies are expected to be born at Winnie Palmer Hospital‚ making it the busiest labor and delivery unit in the state of Florida. To learn more‚ visit www.winniepalmerhospital.com.

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Media Contact:
Lindsey Levy‚ Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
407-841-2299 ext. 1264
llevy@pushhere.com

JetBlue Corporate Communications
718-709-2323
corporatecommunicaitons@jetblue.com

The new-look Golf Channel studio features high-tech elements and contemporary stylings, with four, separate "environments" from which various studio shows originate. In addition to the main Golf Central desk, an analyst desk and demonstration areas, the studio also features an interview/conversation area bedecked with replica trophies from some of the most noted tournaments and special events in professional golf. The API replica produced by Tiffany’s will live permanently on the set, joining others from THE PLAYERS Championship, The Presidents Cup and the FedExCup.

ESPN.com's Jason Sobel covered the entire August 26, 2009 visit by accompanying Mr. Palmer and posting periodic live blog entries throughout the day. Read "Spending the day with Arnold Palmer" on the ESPN website or listen to the Podcast.

Later in the afternoon on the ESPN campus, someone asked Mr. Palmer if he could chip a golf ball into a cup of Arnold Palmer.

Palmer delivered.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL — The PGA TOUR announced today that the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, the primary charity of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, has been named the 2009 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.

“Congratulations to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center for being named the PGA TOUR Charity of the Year,” said Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR commissioner. “The Medical Center provides essential medical care for thousands each year and is a worthy recipient of this award. The name Arnold Palmer has always been synonymous with the right things about golf and life, and the fact that a world-class medical facility has his name on it is a fitting tribute.”

In 2006, care for newborns and women moved across the street to a new state-of-the-art Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. The space freed up in the original building allowed for the expansion of specialized pediatric services in the renamed Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Together, these interconnected hospitals make up the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, the largest facility dedicated to the needs of babies, children and women in the nation.

“The Arnold Palmer Medical Center’s dedication and commitment to the care and treatment of children is inspirational, making it a worthy recipient of this distinguished honor,” said Chris McWilton, President, U.S. Markets, MasterCard Worldwide. “The compassion and expertise of the Center’s staff is backed up by world-class medical technology that together provides crucial medical care for thousands of young patients.”

As recipient of the 2009 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year, the Arnold Palmer Medical Center will receive $30,000 towards a future Kids’ Kidney Center, the first dedicated pediatric facility in Central Florida for children who need dialysis due to kidney disease.

“The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is proud to honor the Arnold Palmer Medical Center as the PGA TOUR Charity of the Year,” said tournament director Scott Wellington. “Arnold Palmer and his family have had a very close relationship with the Medical Center and staff since its opening more than 20 years ago. Today, the Palmers remain dedicated to helping those in need, as well as the continued growth and advancement of the medical center’s facilities.”

About the PGA TOUR

The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.

In 2009, the three Tours compete in 102 events for more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.

In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

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Contact:
PGA TOUR, Joel Schuchmann, (904) 280-4707, joelschuchmann@pgatourhq.com

The legendary golfer, who was among the first in the world to transform his sport success into a business empire, addressed this group of EDC supporters from a room in the Lodge that he built, overlooking the Bay Hill Golf Course that he recently renovated into what he suggests is among "the best anywhere." Among many topics, Mr. Palmer spoke about his personal satisfaction at seeing the region’s recent growth as a center for the medical research and life science industries.

Arnold Palmer's connection to Central Florida dates back to the 1960s. First coming to Orlando for a tournament in 1962, he saw potential in the region that led him to buy out other investors in the then fledgling Bay Hill Club in 1969. The PGA TOUR event played at Bay Hill annually that bears his name, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, has grown from humble beginnings to an event which today accounts for 165 full time jobs; more than $5 million in annual earnings, which translates in to $18.5 total spending; and attracts more than 100,000 attendees each year. Plus, proceeds benefit Orlando Health’s Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Mr. Palmer's commitment to the EDC goes even further. He personally invests in our organization through the membership of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard. One of his goals for addressing this group, which was reinforced by EDC Board Chair Meg Crofton, was to encourage more local businesses to support the work of the Economic Development Commission.

"We're going to go with four par 4s again, with the thinking that the galleries and the people enjoy seeing players make birdies. said Palmer. "We're going to give them an opportunity to make birdies."

The media day at Bay Hill started with breakfast followed by golf, lunch, Q&A and the property was open for tours, including the design office where Palmer's Bay Hill changes were meticulously planned.

Palmer treated 10 foursomes to play the newly-renovated course by setting up groups of three media members paired with a staff member from Bay Hill, Arnold Palmer Design Company, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard and the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy.

Palmer's staff included:
Bay Hill: Roy Saunders, Blake Terry, Brian Kennedy
Arnold Palmer Design Company: Eric Wiltse, Thad Layton, David Couch and Brandon Johnson
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard: Scott Wellington
Arnold Palmer Golf Academy: John O'Leary, Tom Garner

Quite a number of golf publications and local print media were in attendance including The Golf Channel and local Channel 6 Orlando and were able to engage directly on the course with Palmer's design company architects andBay Hill grounds crew Matt Beaver and John Anderson to discuss the renovation specifics in detail.

In 2008, Bay Hill was ranked No. 18 out of 54 for course difficulty on the PGA Tour. Changing holes 4 and 16 from par 4 holes to par 5 holes is not going to make the course play any easier.The shifted and reshaped fairway bunkers on these holes add a new dimension while increasing birdie opportunities.

Also benefiting from the increase in birdies will be the "Birdies for Babies" program which benefits one of the tournament's official charities, the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies at the Arnold Palmer Medical Center in Orlando.

Then there is Hole No. 17 which is already known as one of golf's most difficult par 3s. Palmer made it slightly more intimidating by reshaping and extending the beach bunker, increasing the number of pin locations along the perimeter of the green and reshaping bunkers that are closer to the green surface.

Bay Hill has recently been listed as one of the top 50 resorts in Golf World's second annual "Readers' Choice Awards." Golf World readers based their evaluation of the nation's golf facilities on 13 different performance criteria, such as quality of the course, course conditions, reputation/prestige and service. More than 46,000 individual facility ratings were received and the top 50 courses in each category, as voted on by their readers. The pre-renovation ranking will be published in the September 28 issue of Golf World.

Palmer expects excitement with the new birdie making potential when Tiger Woods returns to defend his title at the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

"There's a risk-reward situation there, I like that." said Palmer. "I'm really pleased with the outcome."

Bay Hill Course Tour (Before/After)

ORLANDO, Fla. — If Bay Hill Club & Lodge was a thrilling novel, then Tiger Woods' 15-footer to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational last March was a fitting end to Volume 1. And just days after closing the book, Arnold Palmer put pen back to paper, leading a renovation of one of golf's most revered venues.

"The opinion is that we make courses harder and harder," Palmer said of renovating Bay Hill. "Our purpose has changed a little bit. We decided to rethink that."

PGA Tour players will be glad to hear that Nos. 4 and 16 were made into true par 5s, and that some of the rough around the greens has been replaced by run-off areas, but does that mean Bay Hill is easier? Arnold Palmer Design Company architect Thad Layton thinks it depends on who's playing the course.

"For the amateur player, it will be easier because the forward tees are shorter and the new runoffs will allow them to putt the ball from off the green," Layton said. "But I think the pros will have a more difficult time deciding what shot to hit from the closely mown collection areas around the greens."

The collection areas appear on holes 1-6 and 10-16.

Another significant change that players will have to negotiate is a flattening of the putting surfaces, which gives the PGA Tour flexibility in setting hole locations for the tournament.

The PGA Tour has what it calls the 2 percent rule, meaning it won't cut holes in places where there is more than a 2 percent slope to the green. By flattening the putting surfaces, hole locations can go where no hole location has gone before.

While it's debatable that flatter greens make a golf course tougher, this characteristic fulfills one of Palmer's initial requests for the renovation to "get the greens closer to the water hazards." Palmer wanted pins tucked closer to the edges, bringing the jagged-rock waterlines - a Bay Hill signature - more into play.

Greens were also reseeded with Emerald Bermudagrass, a new seed from Houston that has never been used on a Palmer-designed golf course. The hope is that the surface is less grainy than the previous Tif-Eagle grass, but Palmer admitted it will take about a year before they really find out how much grain they have.

Before players even get to the greens, however, they'll have to avoid reshaped and repositioned bunkers that are much more visible on tee shots and approach shots than before. Perhaps the best example of this theory at work is No. 4, which was converted into a true par 5 without lengthening the hole (it had been played as a par 4 during the Invitational).

The fairway bunkers at No. 4 were moved out into the 270-300-yard range, and a new bunker was added left of the fairway 100 yards from the green to guard the lay-up area. The green was elevated and made smaller, while roll-off areas were created front right and back left.

The other hole that was made into a true par 5 without being lengthened is No. 16, which also played as a daunting par 4 for the pros.

While a better viewing corridor from the tee down to the landing area has been created, fairway bunkers have been adjusted and brought closer to the fairway. An accurate tee shot will give players a chance to go for the green in two, but getting your ball in position is easier said than done.

Up at the green bunkers were reshaped and the beach-style bunker left of the green was replaced by a collection area. With the green smoothed out, more pin locations can be cut near the treacherous water hazard, which Palmer expects will make for interesting risk-reward scenarios coming down the stretch on Sunday.

"It'll be an exciting hole to watch," Palmer said of No. 16. He grinned and added that, "I'll certainly be there lurking."

At No. 18 a new tee was created to give players a better angle for their tee shot, though Palmer believes the longer hitters will still hit 3-wood. As for the 25-foot putt Tiger made at No. 18 on Sunday to win in 2008? Palmer said the green is flatter so it doesn't break as much as it used to.

Whether you're an amateur or a professional, Bay Hill is an enjoyable golf experience that lets you hit a variety of shots. And with Arnold Palmer as the author, you know Version 2 will be even better than the original.