Sweetgrass Opens for 2012 Season, Readies for Island Resort Championship

Sweetgrass Golf Club at the Island Resort & Casino in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has officially opened for its 2012 season, and is actively preparing for the Island Resort Championship in late June.

Golfers can play the championship course until mid-June, with overnight stay-and-play rates starting at $95 per night midweek. The popular Perfect Foursome golf package combines golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club, and nearby TimberStone and Greywalls courses, starting at $265 per person for three rounds and two nights' stay, midweek.

Following its successful outcome last year, the 2012 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass ticket program has officially launched this week as well, benefiting over 50 nonprofit local organizations by giving them the ability to sell golf tournament tickets and keep 100% of the profit.

Three-day passes are now on sale for $10 for the June 29-July 1 Symetra Tour - Road to the LPGA event, via participating regional organizations, which range from local Boy Scout troops to Habitat for Humanity chapters. A complete list of charities currently selling tickets can be found at http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/lpga-2012. Children 18 and under can enter the championship gates for free.

"We're excited to continue the positive momentum and strong community support for our 2012 tournament," said Tom McChesney, Island Resort & Casino General Manager. "Those community leaders and ticket sales participants became our most avid fans for the inaugural championship, and we can't wait to see them in the gallery to support these rising professional stars this year."

The Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, presented by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, will welcome 144 professional women golfers to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to vie for a $110,000 purse. This is the second of a three-year commitment by the Tour to bring professional golf to the region.

Participating organizations currently selling 2012 tickets include the Escanaba, Wells and Menominee Lions Clubs; Delta County Youth Association; Marquette United Way; Habitat for Humanity of Menominee River and Boy Scout Troop 466, among others in both Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. A complete list of participating organizations can be found at http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/lpga-2012.

The Island Resort & Casino will also donate an additional $100 to each qualifying non-profit organization for each player that scores an eagle (two under par) during the three-day tournament. The organization that sells the most tickets could receive matching funds of at least $1,000 or more in 2012.

Over 80 organizations raised $1,000 on average by participating in the Island Resort & Casino's innovative ticket sales program last year. Many have re-signed as the community sales force for the professional golf tournament in 2012.

Tickets will also be available at the entrance gate during the week of the Championship, a 54-hole stroke play tournament, but the IRC committee encourages spectators to seek community ticket salespersons, first. Those who cannot find a volunteer may visit the Island Showroom ticket office or call 877-ISL-GREEN to purchase tickets via phone. Purchase of a three-day pass also includes a complimentary one-day pass to the YMCA of Delta County.

Golfers can play the championship course until mid-June, with overnight stay-and-play rates starting at $95 per night midweek. The popular Perfect Foursome golf package combines golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club, and nearby TimberStone and Greywalls courses, starting at $265 per person for three rounds and two nights' stay, midweek.

For more information on the Island Resort Championship or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please see http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or call 800-ISL-GREEN.