“We are very pleased that The Ocean Course will serve as host to the 2003 World Cup,” says PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, speaking on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours. “World Golf Championships have been contested at some of the world’s greatest courses and we are proud to add this distinguished location to the list.”

The World Cup joined the World Golf Championships series in 2000, and was won by the United States team of Tiger Woods and David Duval at Buenos Aires Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The United States team has been comprised of Woods and Duval for two for the past three years.

In 2001, the championship was held at the Taiheiyo Club’s Gotemba Course in Shizuka, Japan, and was won by the South African team of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. In 2002, the event was held at Vista Vallarta’s Nicklaus Course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and was won by the Japanese team of Shigeki Maruyama and Toshi Izama. In addition to the World Cup, the World Golf Championships consist of the Accenture Match Play Championship, the NEC Invitational and the American Express Championship. With more than $18 million in total prize money, they are considered the richest events in professional golf.

The field for the 2003 World Cup will consist of two-man teams representing 24 countries. Eighteen teams are comprised of top players from the Official World Golf Rankings, while another six teams become eligible via a world qualifying competition held every October.

Teams will play for a total purse of US$3 million, with the winning team splitting US$1 million. There will be two days of foursomes and two days of four-ball. ABC and ESPN will cover the event in the U.S. Television coverage is expected for Latin America, Asia, Canada and Europe.

With ten holes directly on the Atlantic Ocean, and the other eight winding through the surrounding marshes and dunes, Pete Dye’s Ocean Course offers a natural links-style environment reminiscent to the great courses of Scotland. It was host to the infamous “War by the Shore” Ryder Cup Matches of 1991, and the 1997 World Cup of Golf – a forerunner to the current event. It will be closed until September 17, 2002 for Dye to make course improvements, including replacing the greens with the newest Bermuda hybrid, adding new tee boxes and repositioning the 18th green closer to the Atlantic Ocean – which will add a new element to one of the most dramatic finishing holes in golf.

“We’re very excited to have the greatest players in the world return to Kiawah Island and The Ocean Course,” says Prem Devadas, managing director of Kiawah Island Resorts. “The World Cup coming to South Carolina represents the most prestigious international sporting event held in the state for more than a decade.”

Officials estimate that the event will inject approximately $10 million into the Charleston-area economy, excluding tax revenue.

In addition to The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island Golf Resort has one of the greatest collections of golf courses in America. The other courses are: Jack Nicklaus’ Turtle Point, Tom Fazio’s Osprey Point, Gary Player’s Cougar Point and Clyde Johnston’s Oak Point.

TICKET INFORMATION
(Paid attendance limited to 17,000 Season and Championship Club tickets per day)

Season tickets, good for the entire week of competition, may be purchased for $110 by calling toll-free at 1-877-942-4020, or by visiting online at http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/.

A wide variety of corporate hospitality packages are available, providing the perfect opportunity for entertaining valuable clients.

• The opulent $52,000 Embassy Row Ambassador Suite includes an on-site indoor/outdoor hospitality suite for up to 50 guests, and 12 Am-Am playing positions.
  
• The lavish $32,000 Embassy Row Envoy Suite can accommodate 30 guests and includes an on-site indoor/outdoor hospitality suite, and eight Am-Am playing positions
  
• The $16,000 Federation Club offers a ten-person reserved table in an exclusive club-like setting
  
• The $200 per person Championship Club provides access to the elegant course-side hospitality pavilion
  

Media Contact: Mike Vegis (843) 768-2749