Western Pennsylvania legend Arnold Palmer has agreed to serve again as honorary chairman for the second playing of his home state's only Nationwide Tour event, the Mylan Classic.
The 2011 Mylan Classic will be played Sept. 1-4 at Southpointe Golf Club in Washington County, Pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh, preceded by pro-am events on Aug. 29 and Aug. 31. All four rounds will be televised on Golf Channel in the U.S., with the event reaching 176 other countries and territories.
During his news conference Wednesday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in Orlando, Florida, Palmer mentioned his connection with the Mylan Classic.
"It is an honor to be asked once again to support the Nationwide Tour and the Mylan Classic in my home state of Pennsylvania," Palmer said. "I was happy to lend my name last year to help launch the tournament, and I enjoyed going out to Southpointe Golf Club to meet some of the players and watch Sam [Saunders, Palmer's grandson] play.
"I have a great deal of respect for the Nationwide Tour. It has had a big impact on golf and that impact just seems to grow every year. I also think Mylan has done a great job in bringing this wonderful Tour to the Pittsburgh area."
"Mr. Palmer's continued support as honorary chairman of the Mylan Classic is a true testament to the tournament's success. We are excited to host the second Mylan Classic at Southpointe Golf Club and proud to have Mr. Palmer's involvement, as well as the world-class sponsorships from such companies as Mylan, Highmark and Dick's Sporting Goods," said Rod Piatt, who is Mylan Classic co-chairman along with Jeff Kotula of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
Mylan Chairman and CEO Robert J. Coury added, "We are truly honored that Mr. Palmer again has agreed to participate in the Mylan Classic as its honorary chairman. He was the perfect choice for this distinguished role last year as he brought an added sense of class and notoriety to our inaugural event. It is also very fitting that this legendary athlete is the honorary chair for a tournament that is not only a celebration of golf but a generous source of community support in his home state."
"We can't thank Mr. Palmer enough for his commitment to the Mylan Classic and his many positive public comments about the Nationwide Tour in recent years," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "He is one of our biggest supporters. The players love to see him. There was an extra special feeling in the air last year on Friday when he was at Southpointe. We're all looking forward to his involvement again this year."
Palmer was born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. The 1974 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee spends his summer months in his beloved Latrobe and plays regularly at Latrobe Country Club, which he owns and operates.
Four-time University of Georgia All-American Kevin Kisner won last year's inaugural Mylan Classic and went on to finish 11th on the Nationwide Tour money list to earn his 2011 PGA TOUR card.
