Michigan Among 5 States Testing National Women's Scramble
by Jeff Harrington

Representatives from Oldsmobile and the PGA of America were assisted by television journalist Deborah Norville, anchor of the syndicated newsmagazine "Inside Edition," at a history-making event last month at Flint Golf Club.

The event served as the official kickoff of the Women's Oldsmobile Scramble, the first national amateur tournament exclusively for women. The tournament is being tested this year in Michigan and four other states, following the same format as the National Oldsmobile Scramble, which has grown to attract more than 100,000 golfers annually over the past 16 years.

In addition to providing a national spotlight for women's golf, the tournament is also serving as a fund-raiser for research in the fight against breast cancer. Oldsmobile is donating a portion of the entry fees from local and sectional qualifiers to Concept: Cure, while also matching the prize money offered in the championship event.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to create the Women's Oldsmobile Scramble and extend out grass roots sponsorship of golf," said Karen Francis, general manager for Oldsmobile. "This is an ideal fit for us because women represent the fastest growing category in golf and this program affords us the opportunity to continue our support of Concept: Cure."

The June 24 event at Flint Golf Club was one of eight local qualifiers scheduled across Michigan this summer. The top gross and net teams from each qualifier will be joined by PGA club pros for the Michigan Sectional, September 9 at Hawk Hollow in Bath. Sectional champions will advance to the national tournament, to be held october 6-10 at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

More information is available from local PGA prose, at the Women's Oldsmobile Scramble hotline: 800-582-1908, or at www.womenscramble.com