NATIONWIDE TOUR NEWS
The Nationwide Tour returns to the southern Georgia town of Valdosta this week for the fourth edition of the South Georgia Classic at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club.

PGA TOUR NEWS
Verizon Heritage results.
Nine of the top 14 finishers are Wichita alums, including winner Jim Furyk
1 Jim Furyk
T3 Bo Van Pelt
T5 Kris Blanks
T5 Ricky Barnes
T8 Heath Slocum
T12 Boo Weekley
T12 Briny Baird
T14 Stephen Ames

CHAMPIONS TOUR NEWS
Bernhard Langer and former Wichita Open Champion, Tom Lehman made for a pretty good team a year ago at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. Both will be playing again this week in Savannah, GA.
FED-EX POINTS LIST
Six of the top 10 are Wichita alumni including past champion, Ben Crane at #10.
2 Jim Furyk
4 Steve Stricker
5 Camilo Vilegas
8 Matt Kuchar
9 Bill Haas
10 Ben Crane

The condition of the course is superb. The fairways are turning green, and the putting surfaces are fabulous, they will be sanded next week and then look out.

The highlight of our weeks events “The Cessna Pro-Am” is sold out. We had a 95% renewal rate so the pressure is on to make this years event as much fun as 09. We always try and change things a little. The most noticable change for the participants this year,weather permiting, carts will be allowed on the course.

We are 113 days away from the Wichita Open and wanted to update on our event.

We are completely sold out on 17 with the addition of three corporate skyboxes plus a 40 ft skybox for the general public. I just received an email from an Ben Bates, an ex-champion and wanted to share this with you: “I look forward to seeing all of my friends again and enjoying the best spot in all of golf, the 17th hole at the Wichita Open”.

We are also pleased to announce that the 2010 Cessna Pro-am is sold out. The Pro-am will take place on Wednesday, August 4. The Pairings event will again be at Crestview Country Club on Tuesday evening, August 3.

Tournament play begins on August 5 at Crestview Country Club.

Thank you to Cessna and all the participants in this years Pro-Am. I am thrilled to announce that 4 months to the day of the event, we are officially sold out. People must have enjoyed last year. We have a 95% renewal rate from those who participated in 2009. FYI, that is 208 amateur players.

It was hard to think about the Wichita Open during the terrible weather we have endured these past few months. Now the sunshine is out; lets get ready.
Let me share some of the good news that is coming out of our office.
The Wednesday Cessna Pro-Am is sold out.
The 17th will be bigger and better. More hospitality tents plus, thanks to our friends at Cox Business, an all new 40ft concession tent for the general public.
We are proud to announce that this year, we will be entering a new partnership with Hyundai Automobiles, the official car of the Wichita Open.
I have to save some news for my next blog. I promise it will now be updated on a regular basis.

Time to get back to updating what is happening with the Wichita Open. Thanks to so many people, our 2009 event was, by far, the best in our history. Now the challenge is to make 2010 even better.
In the coming weeks I will update all that is happening. The tournament will continue to be the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. Contracts are in place for the next three years.

So much is going on and yet not much I can tell you. Expecting the final word about Coventry and PHS in the next few days.

For many different reasons, we will not get to park at the Warren this year. No matter where we park, look for a Hyundai to pick you up. More to follow.

We have people on a waiting list for 17 and are still working on adding a 40ft concession tent there for the public.

We are getting lots of interest in our ChariTee ticket program. Call if you would like infomation. Our own Nichole Bentley is in charge of the ticket program.

Still have not heard if Kansas City will return for 2010.

We have 27 spots left for our Cessna Pro-Am. Spread the word. This event was selected by the PGA tour in its best practices list.

George Farnestock was a wonderful community leader who will be so missed by the Wichita Open. Our prayers are with his family.