Grey Bruce Golf News

Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic Update

Donovan Bailey to play in this year's event

World and Olympic 100-metre sprint champ Donovan Bailey will be among the celebrities at this year's Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic. Also on the list for the July 6-12 event are:

Hockey Wayne Gretzky - all-time NHL points leader

Ed Jovanoski - Phoenix Coyotes defenceman

Mike Cammalleri - Calgary Flames centreman

Steve Stamkos - #1 NHL draft pick in 2008, currently plays for Tampa Bay Lightning.

Darren Pang - former NHL goalie and current TSN and NBC colour commentator

Brett Hull - Third all-time in NHL scoring and future Hall of Famer

Marty Turco - current NHL goalie for Dallas Stars

Cassie Campbell - gold medalist and former member of Canada's National women's hockey team

Gino Reda - hockey analyst

Speed Skating

Catriona Le May Doan - Former world and Olympic speed skating champion

Football

Damon Allen - former Toronto Argonauts quarterback

Entertainment

Janet Jones-Gretzky - former actress (Police Academy 5)

Javier Colon - singer-songwriter

Bob McCowan - Sports commentator, Fan 590 Radio Station

"The celebs are fun to see and it's also very exciting to watch some incredible golfers vie for their chance to play on the PGA tour," said tournament host Wayne Gretzky.

This year's tournament will be featured LIVE on the Golf Channel, and will also directly benefit 19 local charities in a new charity ticket program.

The new ticket program will allow 19 local charities from the Collingwood/Barrie area to sell tickets on behalf of the tournament, and keep 50% of the sales for their individual causes. Tickets are now available through the full list of charities below, as well as on www.gretzky.com/golf. "I'm very excited about this ticket program, it's definitely a win-win situation," said Glen Gretzky, Executive Director of the Wayne Gretzky Foundation.

"For every ticket sold by these charities, they'll receive 50% of its revenue toward their organization. It's a great way to help the community while getting more people out to watch some of the world's best golf talents compete."

The event will once again be played at the Georgian Bay Club and the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay in the Thornbury area.

As an official PGA Nationwide Tour event, celebrities and amateurs will be paired with 160 professionals in a Pro-Am format. Players will once again compete for one of the largest purses on this year's tour, $800,099. Tickets are available at www.gretzky.com/golf.

Charity Ticket Program Partners

Barrie Women's Hockey Association

Big Brothers Big Sisters (Collingwood; Owen Sound; Orillia; Orangeville; Hanover)

BVAA BVO

Children's Aid Society - Grey County

Collingwood Figure Skating Club

Collingwood Minor Hockey

Collingwood United Soccer Club

Elephant Thoughts

Georgian Bay Animal Rescue

Meaford Hospital Foundation

Rotary (Barrie)

Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation

The Blue Mountains Public Library

Thornbury Medical Centre

YMCA (Barrie)