Charity the big winner for Stephen Ames-Paul Casey exhibition in New Brunswick

Nike Golf athletes star at Fox Creek Challenge

DIEPPE, New Brunswick  (July 28, 2009)—Golf fans in Atlantic Canada got a summer treat Tuesday, watching up close as Nike Golf athletes Stephen Ames and Paul Casey exchanged shots and good-natured needling during the Fox Creek Challenge.

Officially, Casey fired a two-under par 70 to win the 18-hole stroke event at Fox Creek Golf Club while Ames was 72, but the biggest winners were beneficiaries of the Stephen Ames Foundation and local junior golf. The amount raised has yet to be announced.

The event, launched by the LeBlanc family that owns Fox Creek, marked the first time that Casey—currently the third-ranked player in the world—had played golf in Canada, and the first time that Ames had played in New Brunswick.

“It was an awesome day on a wonderful golf course and lots of fun to interact with the fans. It was a win for everyone: the fans win, the golf course wins and my foundation wins. It's important to give back. I feel very gratified.” said Ames of Calgary, a winner of three PGA Tour events, including the 2006 Players Championship.

“It was a fabulous day. I'm glad I saved myself for the Maritimes for my first time playing in Canada. It's wonderful to have fun on such a terrific course with great people, and raise money for charity,” said Casey, a winner of three professional events in 2009, including the PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open. The native of England has also won two European tour events this year: the BMW PGA Championship and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

“On behalf of Fox Creek, it was an absolute pleasure to host Stephen Ames and Paul Casey, two of the world's top players, but also two tremendous people who put on a great show for the fans and gave up their time to raise money for Stephen's foundation and junior golfers who live in the area,” said Denis LeBlanc, General Manager and co-owner of Fox Creek.

“We are thrilled to have worked so successfully with the LeBlanc family to make this new event such a success, but frankly it was easy with two personable players like Stephen Ames and Paul Casey, the outstanding staff at Fox Creek, a spectacular golf course and the avid golf fans in Atlantic Canada,” said Vitalis Gomes, Director of Marketing for Nike Golf Canada.

Inaugurated in 2005, the Fox Creek Golf Club stands out not only for of its architectural and natural beauty, but also for its renowned world class hospitality, its highly competitive cost/quality ratio, and attractive residences and commercial community. Conceived by renowned Canadian architect Graham Cooke, this 18-hole course is fast becoming a must for golf enthusiasts from around the world. For more information, visit www.foxcreekgolfclub.ca.

Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game.

In 2009, Nike Golf has seven wins on the PGA Tour, including Paul Casey (Shell Houston Open), Stewart Cink (Open Championship), Lucas Glover (U.S. Open), Bo Van Pelt (US Bank Championship), and Tiger Woods (AT&T National, Memorial Tournament and the Arnold Palmer Invitational). Casey also won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour.

For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.ca. Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter.

For information on Nike Golf Canada, please contact:

Vitalis Gomes
Nike Golf Canada
905.771.2058
vitalis.gomes@nike.com

Tim O'Connor
O'Connor Golf Communications
519.341.4778
tim@oconnorgolf.ca