3rd Annual Bob Ben Pro Players Classic Tournament Benefiting Native American Indian Youth Announces Association with UNITY & ANSER

 
Scottsdale - The much anticipated golf event from the last two years is returning to an almost sold out roster of players with an even greater opportunity to reach Native American Indian youth.  The 2001 Bob Ben Pro Players Classic Celebrity Golf Tournament, November 3rd and 4th, is announcing their new primary beneficiary to be UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth), a national network organization run by and for Native Americans that focuses on enriching the lives of Indian youths in their formative years.    In addition to UNITY, The ANSER Foundation (Arizona Native Scholastic Enrichment Resources) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix have also been selected by the Board of PPC because of their ongoing dedication to the wellness, success and future of Native American youth. 
 
Scheduled to participate in this year’s tournament at Legacy Golf Resort, (32nd Street and Baseline Road) are 40+ Professional athletes and celebrity sports legends such as John Mackey, Hall of Fame - Super Bowl V (Baltimore Colts); Luis Gonzales (Arizona Diamondbacks); Matt Williams, (Arizona Diamondbacks); Mark Grace (Arizona Diamondbacks); Ryne Sanberg, the great and perennial All-Star (Chicago Cubs) and; Rich Aurilia (San Francisco Giants), among many others. 
 
Support has come from around the country, including 3-time sponsor, American Airlines, and previous title sponsors from Las Vegas: MGM Grand and Caesar’s Palace casinos.  New sponsors this year are: Outback Steakhouse, Kenny Construction of Chicago, and American Eagle of Dallas.  These organizations and many others aggressively support the Tournament efforts to address issues affecting American Indian youth. 
 
Co-founded by Dave Smoot of the Squires ABA Basketball team in the 60’s, and Lynn Larson, of the Super Bowl V Champion Baltimore Colts, the Pro Players Classic annual event promises to deliver even more fun and entertainment than the last two years.  “The Pro Players Classic came about for the sole purpose of helping Native American Indian youth”, says Smoot.  “We’re very fortunate to be a part of these three wonderful causes, and we’ll continue our endeavor to reach the young members of the tribes, so that we can help mentor their mentors, who represent their future tribal leaders.”
 
Mary Kim Titla is President of UNITY’s Board of Trustees and reporter for KPNX, Channel 12.  "It's refreshing to know so many professional athletes and business people want to give of their time to help raise funds so Native American youth can receive the training and support they need to become good citizens and leaders in their community”, says Titla.  “For 25 years, UNITY, Inc. has been committed to ensuring Native American youth have a forum to discuss issues in their communities and come up with ways to resolve problems.  We look forward to this new partnership with the Bob Ben Pro Players Classic, so that more American Indian youth will have the opportunity to participate in UNITY activities and receive scholarships." 
 
The ANSER Foundation is a partnership of Native peoples, private schools in Arizona, the business community, and the University of Arizona, American Indian Studies Program dedicated to educating talented Native American students at Arizona’s best private schools.  “As founder of The ANSER Foundation, says Vernon Masayesza, “we are very pleased to hear that Pro Players Classic is interested in helping our young, promising Native American Indian students attain the best education in Arizona.  We hope that there will be a continuing relationship with Pro Players Classic and ANSER in the years to come.”
 
Schedule of Events
 
Celebrity & Players VIP Party & Auction (Saturday, November 3rd, 6:00 – 10:00PM)
Celebrities, participants and players are invited to the Legacy Golf Club for a VIP Party and Auction the night prior to the tournament.  Guests will meet in the VIP tent for appetizers, special surprises and live entertainment by Brule’, who is hailed as the “Native American Yanni”. Brule’ has become one of the top selling Native American recording artists in the world with more than a million CD’s sold worldwide.  With recent appearances on Regis and Kathie Lee, CNN Worldbeat and others, Brule’ has come of age.  The excitement his live performances create is sweeping the nation.  He recently received the “Outstanding Musical Achievement Award” by the “First Americans In The Arts” in Beverly Hills, California.  Both a “Silent” and “Live” auction will highlight the evening.  The Pro Players Classic, unlike any other auction, has not only fabulous trips which include airline tickets, but unsurpassed sports related memorabilia featuring one-of-a-kind and rare collectables.  The party will be a great opportunity for photos with some of the most recognized “nice guy” sports celebrities in the country.  The Saturday night event is open to the public on a limited basis for $35.00 per person.
 
Shotgun Start (Sunday, November 4th, 7:00AM)
Celebrities and players will tee it up at 7:00AM for a day of golf, fun and comradery on the lush links of the Legacy Golf Resort.  Golfer registration begins at 6:00AM with practice balls and a continental breakfast will be provided.  A long drive, multiple closet-to-the-pin, and an unprecedented (5) hole-in-one competitions will be held on designated holes on the course during the event.  Food and beverages will also be provided on the course during play.  From noon to 2:30, the post-tournament food, beverages and tournament awards will be held at the Legacy Golf Resort. 
 
For the second year underprivileged American Indian, Hispanic and African American children will accompany the athletes around the golf course during the tournament.  The children are chosen from Native American Indian Tribes, the National Minority Golf Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and the East Valley.  They will have an opportunity to spend the day away from their normal environ­ment and be exposed to a world outside of their own, plus get a chance to be with some world-class stars from their favorite sports.
 
The Bob Ben Pro Players Classic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity and was formed with the goal of initiating and supporting multiple Native American Indian youth causes, including but not limited to providing educational scholarships to benefit disadvantaged and deserving Native American Indian youth throughout Arizona and the nation. 
 
For more information about the Bob Ben Pro Players Classic Celebrity Weekend, please call Dave Smoot at (480) 488-8816, or Lynn Larson at (602) 568-2471.