Tucson, Ariz. (February 6, 2019) – The Tucson Conquistadores and title sponsor Cologuard announced today that Hall-of-Fame pitcher John Smoltz will receive a sponsor exemption to play in the 2019 Cologuard Classic, to be played February 27-March 3, 2019 at Omni Tucson National’s Catalina Course. The 51-year-old, 1996 NL Cy Young Award winner will make his PGA TOUR Champions debut in Tucson and then will play in two other events on TOUR during the 2019 season, including the Mitsubishi Electric Classic (April 19-21) in Atlanta, Ga. and the American Family Insurance Championship (June 21-23) in Madison, Wis.
“We are excited to have John Smoltz play in the 2019 Cologuard Classic,” said Judy McDermott, Executive Director, Cologuard Classic. “He’s an outstanding golfer, a true gentleman and a baseball icon. I know golf and baseball fans alike will enjoy seeing John play in this year’s tournament.”
On the golf course, Smoltz most recently won the 2019 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, where he defeated another former pitcher, Mark Mulder, in the 72-hole event in Orlando, Florida. He qualified for the 2018 U.S. Senior Open and carded rounds of 85-77 at The Broadmoor Golf Club, and his resume also includes two top-10s at the American Century Championship (10th/2018, T9/2017).
In 22 MLB seasons, Smoltz was an eight-time All-Star and won the 1995 World Series with the Atlanta Braves. He is the Braves' all-time leader in strikeouts (3,011) and games pitched (708), and he tallied a 15– 4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 41 career postseason games. Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to record 200 wins and 150 saves, and he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, his first year of eligibility.
Smoltz joined MLB Network in 2010 and is a game and studio analyst. He appears across MLB Network's studio programming, including MLB Tonight and the live game series MLB Network Showcase. Smoltz also serves as lead game analyst for FOX.
In addition to Smoltz, many of the top names on the PGA TOUR Champions have committed to play in the Cologuard Classic, including: Miguel Angel Jiménez, Jerry Kelly, Bernhard Langer, Scott McCarron, José María Olazábal and Darren Clarke.
The 2019 Cologuard Classic will be played February 27 – March 3 at Omni Tucson National Resort and features a 78-player field competing for a $1.7 million purse with $255,000 and 255 Charles Schwab Cup points for the winner. The no-cut format includes three days of competition (Friday-Sunday) with players participating in pro-am events on Wednesday and Thursday. Tournament proceeds benefit youth athletic programs in Southern Arizona and colorectal cancer research and advocacy. For more information or tournament tickets, visit www.cologuardclassic.com.
2019 marks the second year of the Cologuard Classic, named after Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences’ noninvasive at-home colon cancer screening test for average-risk individuals 50 years or older, and the fifth year the Conquistadores have partnered with the PGA TOUR Champions. To coincide with the kickoff of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, tournament week will feature numerous events to raise awareness for the disease.
ABOUT COLOGUARD
Cologuard is intended for the qualitative detection of colorectal neoplasia associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin in human stool. A positive result may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AA) and should be followed by diagnostic colonoscopy. Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 years or older, who are at typical average-risk for CRC. Cologuard is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high risk individuals.
Cologuard is not for high risk individuals, including those with a history of colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma, a family history of colorectal cancer, IBD or certain hereditary syndromes. Positive Cologuard results should be referred to diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative Cologuard test result does not guarantee absence of cancer or advanced adenoma. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient. Cologuard performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established. Rx only.
ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS PGA TOUR
Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 32 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. In 2019, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes 27 tournaments across the United States, Japan, England and Canada, with purses totaling nearly $58 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 190 countries and territories, reaching more than 350 million potential households. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.
ABOUT THE TUCSON CONQUISTADORES
The Tucson Conquistadores are the host organization of the PGA TOUR Champions’ Cologuard Classic. Since their inception in 1962, the Conquistadores have contributed more than $35 million to youth athletic programs in Southern Arizona. The Conquistadores have an active membership of up to 60 business and community professionals and a total membership of 215 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. In addition to their professional golf activities, the group has established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fund-raising efforts include: The First Tee of Tucson; Tucson and Pima County Junior Golf Programs; the Field of Dreams/Challenger Little League sports complex; Boys and Girls Clubs in Tucson, Sierra Vista and Nogales; Pima County Special Olympics; Educational Enrichment Foundation; Tucson Urban League; and the YMCA.
Tournament Media Contact: Rob Myers, rob@rmprgroup.com, 602-317-6131
