News & Notes from the MGCSeptember 2008
Mayakoba Golf Classic and Golf PARa Todos Debut on YouTube

You've known for a while now that www.MayakobaGolfClassic.com is the best site in cyberspace to visit for news and information about Mexico's Only PGA TOUR Event, the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Now, the tournament is online with videos for you to see and enjoy. Just go to YouTube.com and search "Mayakoba Golf Classic" or "Golf PARa Todos" to see the first fun videos.

This month features Golf PARa Todos and the fun, family atmosphere at the community program. Check out the video to see all the action at Golf PARa Todos. And who knows... maybe you'll see yourself!

All-Inclusive Travel Packages for the 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic; They're a Hole-in-One!

Do you love to travel? Are you a PGA TOUR fan? Have you dreamed of playing in a pro-am? Can't get enough of the charm and warmth of Mexico? Are you intrigued by the mysteries and histories of the Mayan culture?

But you hate the headaches of planning and coordinating an international trip?

Then our Travel Packages are your answer! In 2009, the Mayakoba Golf Classic will launch a new and exciting option for golf and travel enthusiasts. All-inclusive travel packages will be available for those interested in combining the elements of a tropical vacation with PGA TOUR action. This is your opportunity to purchase Mayakoba Golf Classic tournament entitlements like tickets, hospitality credentials or even a spot in the exclusive MGC Pro-Am!

Stay tuned for more information on the details and availability of our 2009 travel packages and take advantage of your chance to experience Mexico's Only PGA TOUR Event--the 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Past MGC Participants Successful in Marquee September Events

Now that the 2008 FedExCup season has come to a close, now is a great time to look back at the successful season and accomplishments by several Mayakoba Golf Classic participants.

Defending champion Brian Gay has had one of his best seasons on the PGA TOUR. Since his win here at Mayakoba, he has finished among the top 10 three times. At the Viking Classic earlier this month, Gay nearly won his second title of the year before losing in a playoff. With that performance, he jumped into the top 30 on the PGA TOUR's Official Money list with a shot at earning an invitation to the Masters which takes the top 30 players on that list at the end of the 2008 season.

Other MGC participants who performed well at the Viking Classic in September were Marc Turnesa who also tied for second place and Bill Haas and Steve Allan who tied for fourth place. In total, seven of the top-10 finishers at the Viking Classic participated in the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

With the season winding down, two marquee events on the PGA TOUR slate featured past MGC participants. Boo Weekley and J.B. Holmes each played a key role in the Ryder Cup as they helped the United States regain the trophy in the semi-annual event. Past MGC participant Olin Browne served as assistant captain for the victorious U.S. team.

Finally, Bubba Watson and Briny Baird each advanced to the final event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup at the TOUR Championship last week.

Stay tuned to www.MayakobaGolfClassic.com for updates on player commitments for the 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic as players begin to plan their schedules for the upcoming PGA TOUR season.

First-Time Winners at AJGA Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic

Jay Burlison of Salinas, Calif., carded a final-round 4-over-par 74 Friday to seal the win in the Boys Division of the Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic with a tournament total 7-over-par 217. Amelia Lewis of Jacksonville, Fla., finished with a three-day total of 8-over-par 221 to win the Girls Division.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic is Mexico's Only AJGA Event. The field consisted of 76 players, of which 27 were from Mexico. El Camaleon Golf Club, home to the PGA TOUR's Mayakoba Golf Classic, played to the same conditions as the PGA TOUR players experience in February.

Burlison, who led by one stroke after the second round, finished his round with two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey to earn his first AJGA victory. The win for Burlison comes in his first AJGA Open event.

"I started out slow, I was a little nervous out there," Burlison said. "But I was able to calm down after my birdie on No. 6 and got another one on No. 11 and those helped me fight off the nerves. I played it safe on the rest of the holes and it's exciting to get my first win."

Lewis' win is also her first in an AJGA tournament after finishing in the top 10 eight times in her career.

"[This win] is just a great way to end the summer and it feels amazing to finally win in the AJGA after being so close so many times," Lewis said. Carlos Ortiz of Zapopan, Mexico, took fourth place in the Boys Division with a three-day total 223 as the highest Mexican in the field. Finishing in third place in the Girls Division was Paola Valerio of Atizapan De Zaragoza, Mexico, with a 10-over-par 223, who was the highest Mexican finisher in the Girls Division.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Lorena Ochoa, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Julieta Granada and 2008 MGC Champion Brian Gay.

Golf PARa Todos Closes in on its One-Year Anniversary

Golf PARa Todos made yet another big splash when more than 450 people participated in the Mayakoba Golf Classic's community program on Sunday, Sept. 14. Next month's edition of Golf PARa Todos will mark the one-year anniversary of the program that seeks to grow the game of golf in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions.

Golf PARa Todos aims to create a fun-filled, diverse and educational program that teaches about the game of golf and its ideals. The program encourages active participation in the game as a participant and as a fan, and facilitates the integration of golf into the lives of all those within the community. Golf PARa Todos is a community program presented by the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

More than 450 participants from Playa del Carmen, Cancun and other cities arrived to El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba to enjoy an afternoon full of golf, raffles, contests and delicious food offered by the gourmet restaurant Yaxche Maya Cuisine.

Among this month's activities was the giveaway of coupons for a complimentary ticket to the Mayakoba Golf Classic in February 2009. Like always, golf lessons, classes and use of the practice facilities and equipment were offered to all in attendance.

Thank you to the Amigos of Golf PARa Todos for their participation to make it all a success. Golf PARa Todos also recognizes Yaxche for its great participation providing fantastic food for all in attendance. Also thank you to: OHL, El Camaleón, Alltournative, IN Riviera Maya magazine, Merkadoteknia.com, Pepsi, Paseo del Carmen and Royal Table.

Mark your calendar for the upcoming edition on Sunday, October 12 at 2 pm, when Golf PARa Todos celebrates its one-year anniversary! For more information, stay tuned to www.golfparatodos.org.

© 2008, Mayakoba Golf Classic
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