Friday, December 12, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Curt McCormick

Manager, Communications

240) 235-2209

20th Anniversary Merrill Lynch Shootout PGA TOUR Event

To Benefit CureSearch Tees Off

December 12, 2008 (Naples, FL) ? The 20th Anniversary Merrill Lynch Shootout, to benefit CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, has teed off at the prestigious Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, FL.

World Golf Hall of Famer and CureSearch Honorary Board of Trustee Greg Norman welcomed a field of 24 golfers from around the world in this unique, team-format PGA TOUR Event.

Defending champions Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia will attempt to become only the third team in Shootout history to successfully defend their title.

?Overall, I could not be more pleased with how the partnerships have fallen into place,? said tournament host Greg Norman. ?The competition should be spirited - Ryder Cup pairings from both the U.S. and European side, the partnership of my Presidents Cup counterpart Fred Couples and Stewart Cink along with several examples of long-time friends joining forces. This group is sure to entertain as we celebrate 20 years of the Merrill Lynch Shootout.?

Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, Paula Polito noted, ?We are honored to continue our partnership with Greg Norman in sponsoring the 2008 Merrill Lynch Shootout, and to be celebrating our 20th year of bringing the Shootout to golf fans everywhere. The event is a demonstration of excellence and achievement on the golf course, and we are privileged to combine forces with CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation to further their mission to reach the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure.?

CureSearch exclusively supports the life-saving childhood cancer research of the Children?s Oncology Group (COG), the world?s premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. This campaign will help raise awareness about childhood cancer, the #1 cause of death from disease in children in the United States.

?CureSearch is honored to again partner with Merrill Lynch and with Greg Norman,? says Stacy Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch. ?Similarly, we are grateful to all of these world-class golfers, who together send a clear message that together, we can reach the day when every child with cancer is guaranteed a cure.?

Television coverage of the 20th Anniversary Merrill Lynch Shootout begins today, from 3 ? 6 pm on Golf Channel, with a replay from 9 pm - midnight. NBC Sports picks up live coverage of the final two rounds, Saturday from 4 ? 6 pm and Sunday from 3 ? 6 pm.

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About CureSearch

CureSearch seeks to conquer childhood cancer, conquer it sooner, conquer it fully and for all time. Through public education, advocacy and fundraising, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), exclusively supports the work of the Children?s Oncology Group (COG), the world?s premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. This network of more than 5,000 healthcare professionals dedicates their lives to finding answers and sharing results. More than 12,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and more than 40,000 children and adolescents are currently in treatment. Only research cures cancer. For more information, visit www.CureSearch.org.