In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Big Break Winner David Byrne Granted Sponsor
Exemption for Seaforth Country Classic



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday July 27, 2011



* Correction - Nick Taylor was entered into the Seaforth field via his top 10 showing in Winnipeg not via the Canadian Tour money list as previously stated.



Big Break Indian Wells winner David Byrne has been granted a sponsor exemption into the Seaforth Country Classic, August 15-21, in Seaforth, Ontario. Byrne, a native of Windsor, will be making his Canadian Tour debut and just his sixth start as a professional at Seaforth. This is the first Professional Tour event for Byrne who has played strictly mini tour events to date.


"It feels great knowing that my first ever sponsor exemption came via the Canadian Tour," said Byrne from his home in Orlando. "I want to thank the Seaforth organizers for this great opportunity and I am hopeful that I can take full advantage of it," added Byrne who is a familiar name to many golfers in Southwestern Ontario.

Prior to turning pro in January, the 23-year-old native of Windsor had an accomplished amateur career highlighted by his three wins at the GAO Ontario Match Play Championship. Byrne also won twice in college while attending the University of Detroit Mercy where he graduated with a double major in history of social studies.

Ironically, Byrne beat two-time Seaforth Country Classic winner Kent Eger on the final episode of the Big Break. With his victory Byrne took home $70,000 in cash, a sponsor exemption into the Zurich Classic of New Orleans as well as a $10,000 Adams Golf endorsement deal and a $10,000 shopping spree at Dicks Sporting Goods.

"It was a great experience participating on the Big Break and I am thankful for everything that came of it," said Byrne who is busy drumming up sponsorship interest in between practice sessions. "It's been a bit of a whirlwind since the show ended last week and I'm looking forward to focusing on my golf," added Byrne who has had a number of requests for his time since winning.



Byrne will be participating in many of the weeklong events at the Seaforth Country Classic. He will be in the Championship, Ladies & Junior Pro-Ams as well as a participant in the Junior "Wee Break" competition on Wednesday of tournament week at 1 P.M. Byrne will also be guest speaker at the Championship Pro-Am Dinner.



Other sponsors exemptions in the field include: Seaforth Club Champion Frank Verberne, University of Waterloo golf team member Garret Rank, Great Lakes Tour player Michael Gligic, and Sebastian Szirmak of Toronto. Jacob Scriven has also been granted an exemption. Matt Hill from the Forest area who recently turned pro after a stellar amateur career will also play on a sponsor's exemption. Nick Taylor had also been granted one but played his way into the field based on his top 10 showing in Winnipeg.



With just three weeks until the pros arrive in Seaforth, one of only two Ontario stops on the Canadian Tour, organizers are gearing up for a great week of golf and hospitality. Visit www.seaforthcountryclassic.com for details about the event and how to get tickets or enter a pro am.



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