2018 Zurich Classic Pro-Am will showcase team format as well

Professional teams entered in the main event will also play together in the Pro-Am, another first on the PGA TOUR

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Amateurs who tee it up for the 2018 Zurich Classic Wednesday Pro-Am will play with two PGA TOUR pros for the price of one, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.

To showcase the unique team format, the Wednesday Pro-Am will feature 52 teams of TOUR players who will join the customary group of three amateurs. The pros will each tee off, then play foursomes (alternate shot) for each hole, while the amateurs will play their own balls for the entire round.

“We are excited to expand our team format into the Wednesday Pro-Am,” said Worthy. “This will give our amateur players the unique opportunity to partner with two professionals, while giving the pros an opportunity to practice the foursomes format before the competition begins the next day,” he said. “Our amateurs will be inside the ropes to hear the pros discuss the strategy they will use in the tournament.”

The 2017 Zurich Classic launched a team format unique on the PGA TOUR, the first regular-season team event since 1981. The new 72-hole stroke play format featured Foursomes (alternate shot) and Four-Ball (best ball), the first regular season event to use the foursomes format.

This year’s event was won by the team of Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith on the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff, the longest playoff in Zurich Classic history.

The team concept was greeted with near-universal praise among the PGA TOUR players, who were able to partner with International team competition partners, friends, college teammates and even brothers, in the case of eventual U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, who paired with his brother Chase to finish T-5th in the tournament. The 2017 Zurich Classic field was among the strongest for all regular season tournaments and drew record-setting crowds during the four days of regular competition.

About Fore!Kids Foundation:

Since 1958, the Fore!Kids Foundation has raised money to fund children’s service organizations through golf events like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Golf Ball Gala and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise more than $34 million to date for children’s charities in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge. More information at www.forekidsfoundation.com.

About the Zurich Classic of New Orleans:

Televised in more than 224 countries and territories, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans generates a significant economic impact on the city of New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Independent research has shown that the tournament generates spending of more than $40 million within the local economy and garners $33 million in positive national and international media exposure for both the city and state throughout the year beyond the four days of competition.

The 2018 tournament will be played April 23-29,2018 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. Purse for 2017 totaled $7.1 million, with each member of the winning team earning $1,022,400.

Single-day grounds tickets are only $35. Weekly passes are $85 and choices of suite and specialty venue options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.