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 Flanking bunkers have been replaced by more offset traps, while bunkers around the greens have been tucked closer to the putting surfaces.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

The National Professional Golf Tour will afford players the opportunity to play in a more convenient and affordable competitive environment. Players will not be required to travel all over their state or region to find a tournament. No more weekly travel costs, hotel & restaurant expenses or outrageous entry fees. Join the hundreds of professional golfers who will experience the courses, competition and benefits of the NPGT.

The National Professional Golf Tour will be comprised of professional golfers throughout North America and beyond who will compete for prestige, cash purses, paid entry into the PGA Q-School and valuable tournament experience that will help prepare them for the next step towards the ultimate goal of playing on the PGA or Nationwide Tours.

This is a chance for all aspiring professional golfers to experience a similar exhilaration and excitement as those playing at the next level. The NPGT brings developmental golf to a whole new level. The NPTG season opener is set for the first of April 2010.

Larry Lunsford (Executive Director)
Phone (949) 355-5786
llunsford@nationalprotour.com
www.nationalprotour.com
34145 Pacific Coast HWY # 631
Dana Point, CA 92629

Arnold Palmer isn’t your typical business jet traveler. A curiosity about airplanes–and a fear of flying on early airliners–led him to the pilot’s seat in 1956. He was just 27 then, but his aggressive play on the golf course and magnetic personality already were hinting at the greatness to come. Palmer won his first major two years later at the 1958 Masters in a dramatic televised finish that made him a household name and gave rise to a legion of fans known as “Arnie’s Army.”

A lifetime later, Palmer, now 80, has amassed about 18,000 hours at the controls of more aircraft types than even he can recall. He has owned 10 airplanes, progressing from his first, a 1961 Aero Commander 500, to his current ride, a Cessna Citation X twinjet he bought in 2002. He still flies the Citation X with longtime chief pilot Pete Luster about 150 to 200 hours a year, including for regular trips between his homes in Latrobe, Pa. (where he grew up the son of the golf pro and head groundskeeper at Latrobe Country Club), and Bay Hill Club and Lodge, the golf course he owns in Orlando, Fla.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (January 25, 2010) --- Today, Orlando Health delivered the first of 24 pallets of supplies to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The first shipment, consisting of 10 pallets of personal hygiene items, donated by Orlando Health team members, was delivered to Harvest Time International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is active in providing relief, both emergency and long-term, to hurricane, tornado, floods, etc. in Central Florida as well as nationally and internationally.

Last week, a group of Orlando Health team member volunteers sorted, palletized and stretch-wrapped the donated supplies in preparation for the deliveries. The donation and preparation projects gave team members a way to participate in the relief effort.

“The effects of this disaster are far-reaching, particularly here in Central Florida and Orlando Health, where many of our residents and team members are of Haitian origin with family who have been directly impacted by the earthquake,” said Michael Howell, MD, chief medical quality officer, Orlando Regional Medical Center. “The outpouring of compassion from within Orlando Health was so great, we established drop-off points to give all of our team members a way to participate in the relief effort.”

The remaining 14 pallets, consisting of 10 pallets of medical supplies and four pallets of water, will be delivered directly to a medical facility in Haiti by an international shipping company later this week. Combined, the 24 pallets represent 337 cases of supplies.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a $1.5 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of hospitals and care centers in the Orlando region. The organization, which includes the area’s only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics, is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. They are: Orlando Regional Medical Center; Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies; Dr. P. Phillips Hospital; South Seminole Hospital; South Lake Hospital (50 percent partnership); St. Cloud Regional Medical Center (20 percent partnership) and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando – the first affiliate of one of the nation’s premier cancer centers The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Orlando Health’s areas of clinical excellence are heart and vascular, cancer care, neurosciences, surgery, pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine, neonatology, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Orlando Health is Central Florida’s fifth largest employer with nearly 14,000 employees and more than 2,000 affiliated physicians, all of whom support our philosophy of providing high quality care and service when it matters most. We prove this everyday with over 100,000 inpatient admissions and more than 600,000 outpatient visits each year. In all, Orlando Health serves 1.6 million Central Florida residents and nearly 3,000 international patients annually. Additionally, Orlando Health provides approximately $198 million in support of community health needs. More information can be found at www.orlandohealth.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

Palmer, who won the Open in 1961-63, will join last year's champion Kenny Perry and Golf Channel broadcaster Kraig Kann who will emcee the event.

The luncheon will focus on the history of the Phoenix Open and the host Thunderbirds.

Palmer won the 1962 Open by 12 strokes over Jack Nicklaus and Billy Casper at the Phoenix Country Club. He took home a winner's check for $5,300. Palmer's last top-five finish at the Open was 1978.

Perry took home $1.08 million for winning the 2009 Open.

With a new sponsor, the Waste Management Phoenix Open will be played Feb. 22-28 at the TPC Scottsdale.

The first apps are now available for immediate free download or purchase. These apps cover education, entertainment, games, health, social networking and other categories.

Among the first apps is the Arnold Palmer Golf Card Game.

Four other Intel industry partners Acer, Asus, Dell and Samsung -- also announced store collaboration and plans.

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.

By serving as honorary chairman, Palmer will assist in the promotion of the championship by appearing in a ticket sales advertising campaign. He will appear at an exhibition during the week of the championship to welcome the crowds back to Oakmont.

Palmer, a Latrobe, Pa., native, competed in four U.S. Opens at Oakmont Country Club including his final Open appearance in 1994. Palmer's most memorable performance at Oakmont came in 1962, when he lost to Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff.

"It is an honor to serve as honorary chairman for the U.S. Women's Open and the USGA," said Palmer, who added with a chuckle, "It will be fun to participate in a championship that I could never win."

Deacon Palmer, Arnold's father, was the head professional and greens keeper at Latrobe Country Club and introduced him to the game a very young age. Arnold was awarded a golf scholarship from Wake Forest University but left to serve his country as part of the United States Coast Guard. After a three-year break from the game, Palmer returned to competitive golf and won the 1954 U.S. Amateur Championship.

Shortly thereafter, Palmer began playing golf professionally and has recorded an impressive 92 wins during his lengthy career, including one U.S. Open Championship, one U.S. Senior Open Championship and four victories at The Masters Tournament.

For additional information on the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, please visit www.2010uswomensopen.com. Championship tickets are now on sale and limited volunteer positions are still available.

About the 2010 U.S. Women's Open
The 2010 U.S. Women's Open will bring a field of 156 of the world's best professional and amateur women golfers to Oakmont Country Club. It will be the second time the Women's Open will be contested at Oakmont. Patty Sheehan won the 1992 championship in a playoff over Juli Inkster after finishing at 4- under-par for 72 holes of regulation play.

About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses.

The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

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Contact: Lindsay Weber – 2010 U.S. Women's Open – lweber@2010uswomensopen.com - (412) 828-2010
Tom Wallace – Oakmont Country Club – twallace@oakmont-countryclub.org – (412) 828-8000

Each regional ICAP office nominates charities they wish to support. Those charities can range from organizations with a national reach to local charities that help fulfill a specific need. These organizations typically change from year to year in order to further expand impact.

The selection process is based on how the charity uses donations to make a direct impact on the community and world at large. In 2007, ICAP made a donation to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center where the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies are located.

This year, as the golf world celebrates Arnold's 80th birthday, the hospital celebrates two decades of service. During the last 20 years, the Arnold Palmer Medical Center has delivered more than 186,000 babies, cared for more than 26,000 of those babies in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and treated more than 1.5 million patients. The Medical Center was named thePGA TOUR Charity of the Year in 2009.

Mr. Palmer will be representing his namesake Medical Center on the trading floors among other celebrities. Some of the prior NY attendees have included figures such as JonBon Jovi, Michael J Fox, Denzel Washington, Joe Torre, Yogi Berra, Katie Couric, Heather Graham, Jorge Posada, Steve Buscemi, John McEnroe, Harry Carson, David Blaine, Mary Louise Parker, Joe Montana, Anna Kornikova, Jeff Gordon, Stanley Tucci, Mat Dillon, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep and President Clinton to name a few.

More information on ICAP and Charity Day can be accessed at www.icap.com.

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

Palmer said, "This is the best renovation I've ever done, period. I want people to be able to experience playing this incredible course."

Bay Hill’s “World Premier Golf Package” enables anyone to stay and play the same course where Tiger Woods will defend his title March 22-28, 2010 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard.

The exciting architectural and aesthetic enhancements that have been made to this prestigious course present new challenges yet the same thrill as would be expected from an Arnold Palmer designed course. And for a limited time, golf enthusiasts can be a part of history by being among the very first to play the enhanced course with the new World Premier Golf Package from Bay Hill.

This exclusive package includes accommodation in a luxurious room at The Lodge at Bay Hill, daily breakfast and one round of golf per person (including cart/green fee and bag of practice balls). The package is for one-, two- or three- night stays with prices starting from $212.50 (plus tax) double occupancy per person, per night. Extra nights and/or rounds of golf can be added at preferred rates, and for non-golfers a spa treatment may be substituted for golf.

The Championship course is officially re-opened to Bay Hill Club Members only on September 6, and to Lodge guests on September 14. World Premier Package rates are valid September 14, 2009 through January 15, 2010 based on availability at time of booking. For reservations, call (888) 422-9445 or make your reservations online at www.bayhill.com.

West Palm Beach Golf Course, formerly known as the West Palm Beach Country Club, was originally established in 1921. It was moved to its present location in 1947, and it's Dick Wilson designed 18-hole, par-72, 6,759 yard championship course has been a staple for local golfers for generations.

"I'm glad to see this wonderful course restored for the golfers of West Palm Beach." said Palmer.

November 16 will start in Palmer style with complimentary "Arnold Palmer" beverages at 9 a.m. at the Champions Breakfast for the participants, pros, celebrities, dignitaries, sponsors and their guests, followed by the Golf Tournament. Activities for spectators include a putting contest with a $10,000 Grand Prize opportunity, the LPGA Front Row Experience, a Ronald McDonald House Charities Junior Clinic and hourly prize giveaways. The tournament will be followed by a reception and silent auction. There will be shuttle service available to handle the demand for parking.

Also scheduled to attend: Mark McCumber, Solheim Cup Captains Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins, and other PGA and LPGA players.

The new golf course opens for public play on the following day, Tuesday November 17th.