CVS Health Charity Classic Golf Tournament Unveils 2016 Field

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, PGA TOUR Champions professionals and co-hosts of the CVS Health Charity Classic, today unveiled some of the pros playing in the 18^th annual event. Set for June 26-28 at Rhode Island Country Club, the popular charitable tournament once again boasts an impressive roster of top-tier PGA TOUR, LPGA and PGA TOUR Champions professionals.

Tournament headliners include top-ranking PGA TOUR professionals who are some of the most exciting players in the game: Branden Grace, Tony Finau, Keegan Bradley, Jon Curran and Bryson DeChambeau. 

Ranked 11^th in the world and one of the hottest golfers on TOUR, Grace is making his first appearance at the Charity Classic. In just nine starts so far this year, Grace has earned three top-10 and six top-25 finishes, including his first PGA TOUR title at last month's RBC Heritage.

Also new to the tournament this year are Finau and DeChambeau. Finau posted his first victory this year, taking home the trophy from the Puerto Rico Open. DeChambeau, who recently turned pro following the 2016 Masters, is only the 5^th golfer in history to win both the NCAA Division I Championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year.

Northeast natives, Bradley and Curran, who are former high school teammates, return to Rhode Island Country Club to defend their 2015 tournament title. Bradley has three PGA TOUR wins, including the 2011 PGA Championship. He is one of only three golfers to win their major championship debut. Curran has posted three top-25 finishes this year and is currently ranked 90^th in FedEx Cup standings. 

Representing the LPGA is standout golfer Morgan Pressel, who is currently ranked 34^th in the world. A perennial favorite, this marks Pressel's 8th appearance at the CVS Health Charity Classic. Finally, returning to the CVS Health Charity Classic field for the 18^th consecutive year is 40-year TOUR veteran and NBC Sports analyst Peter Jacobsen. Jacobsen, Faxon and Andrade are the only golfers to have played in the tournament since it began in 1999.

"We're excited to once again host the CVS Health Charity Classic which supports hundreds of great charities throughout the region," said Eileen Howard Boone, Tournament Chairwoman, CVS Health Charity Classic. "Through the years, the tournament has driven more than $19 million dollars to local nonprofits to help fund the critical work they do to help children and families.  We're proud that the Charity Classic continues to be a fan favorite and we encourage people of all ages to come enjoy the event which offers more than just great golf."

Tournament News
The tournament uniquely offers fans the chance to enjoy world-class golf and a variety of other fan-friendly activities while helping to support hundreds of charities across Southern New England . Tournament week begins with the Pepsi Pro-Am on Sunday, June 26 – with free admission, followed by the two-day tournament on Monday, June 27 -Tuesday, June 28 at the Rhode Island Country Club. Special tournament activities include:

• All Kids Can Three-Hole Challenge - Designed to offer kids of all abilities a chance to participate in the tournament and experience golf like the pros, the Kimberly Clark All Kids Can Three-Hole Challenge features a specially designed challenge on holes 16-18 the morning of Monday, June 27. Five foursomes, each comprised of kids representing a variety of the tournament's charity partners, will participate in the fun activity.
• Pepsi Max Shootout – For the sixth consecutive year the tournament will host the Pepsi Max Shootout, where the first-place team from each of the Pepsi Pro-Am shotguns competes in a playoff during Monday's professional tournament.
• Charitable Closest-to-the-Pin Contest - The pros will once again be competing for designated charities in the annual Charitable Closest-to-the-Pin contest. During regular tournament play on Monday and Tuesday the golfer closest to the pin on 17 will win $25,000 for the charity they represent.
• The Wine Pavilion by Dreaming Tree Wines - Located on the 15th green at Rhode Island Country Club, the Wine Pavilion by Dreaming Tree Wines offers first-class hospitality and amenities, including daily food and wine samplings. A great place to spend the day with friends, the pavilion offers spectacular views and a close-up look at the golf action. Spectators may upgrade their good any day ticket on-site for $25 to gain entrance to the Wine Pavilion by Dreaming Tree Wines or purchase tickets at the gate for $50.

Tickets
Single, good-any-day tickets ($25) for the 2016 CVS Health Charity Classic are now on sale at ticketmaster.com.  Children 17 and under are free with a ticketed adult.  For additional information on tickets, fans can call 866-CVS-9441 or visit cvshealthcharityclassic.com.

About the CVS Health Charity Classic
The CVS Health Charity Classic is Rhode Island's largest charitable event series and hosts some of the best PGA TOUR,LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions professionals in the world. Since its inception in 1999, the CVS Health Charity Classic has driven more than $19 million to charities around the region, providing vital funding for a variety of critical programs serving children, families and people in transition throughout Southern New England. For more information, visit cvshealthcharityclassic.com.

CONTACT:
Patti O'Donnell  - patti.o'donnell@peterjacobsensports.com
773/680-4701

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SOURCE CVS Health Charity Classic