Celebrating Five Years in Boca Raton and the PGA Champions Tournament’s Eleventh Year

FIFTH ANNUAL ALLIANZ CHAMPIONSHIP TO TEE OFF WITH SEVERAL NEW “EVENTS WITHIN THE EVENT”, INCLUDING FIRST ANNUAL WOMEN’S EXECUTIVE PRO-AM, FAIRWAY 5K/FAMILY DAY, AND “BIRDIES FOR CHARITY” FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY FOR SOUTH FLORIDA NONPROFITS

Popular Allianz Championship Golf & Wine Experience Returns
Following First Round Of Championship Play

Due to the increased and record crowds that came out last year to watch the legends of golf competing for the $1.7 million tournament purse during last year’s Allianz Championship -- one of the PGA Champions Tour’s tournaments in the early-season Florida swing – ProLinks Sports management has added new “events within the event” to its upcoming 2011 week-long tournament program that are planned to broaden and attract an even larger regional audience of avid golfers, tournament-goers, newcomers to the golf experience, and nonprofit supporters. Scheduled for February 7-13, 2011 with the Golf Channel televising live all three rounds of the Allianz Championship from The Old Course at Broken Sound Club, Champions Tour pros such as Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Fred Couples, Paul Azinger and tour rookies Kenny Perry, Mark Calcavecchia, and Steve Lowery will now be vying for a tournament purse of $1.7 as proceeds from tournament events will benefit Boca Raton Regional Hospital.


Kicking off tournament week will be the first Annual Allianz Championship Women’s Executive Pro-Am presented by Lilly Pulitzer on Tuesday, February 8th at the Old Course. The first Annual Allianz Championship Fairway 5K/Family Day will hit the green on Saturday, February 12th at 7:15 a.m. offering runners and walkers a first time ever experience of running on a golf course. In addition, the tournament’s introduction of the Allianz Championship “Birdies for Charity” fundraising program to this year’s golf experience line-up, which will run throughout the three championship play days, offers regional and national nonprofits limitless opportunity to generate much needed funds with 100% of dollars raised by participating nonprofits going directly to the nonprofits. The popular Allianz Championship Golf & Wine Experience that was introduced last year will return Friday, February 11th at 5:30 p.m. following the first round of championship tournament play at The Old Course at Broken Sound Clubhouse.


“Due to the high interest and success of our first annual Golf & Wine Experience last year that featured varietals from the private wine collections of PGA’s top pros, we have expanded the golf experience this year with more spectator, Pro Am, social and business networking, and charitable offerings,” noted Allianz Championship Tournament Director Ryan Dillon. “Since we saw a soaring increase of families come out last year when we introduced free admission to the tournament and received a number of requests for a women’s golf experience, we are pleased to deliver these new opportunities in 2011.”

ALLIANZ CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S PRO AM PRESENTED BY LILLY PULITZER OFFERS UNIQUE LADIES GOLF & NETWORKING EXPERIENCE:
Tuesday, February 8, 2011; 10:30 a.m. Golf Clinic, Noon Lunch/1 p.m. Shotgun Tournament; The Old Course At Broken Sound

With the opportunity limited to nine foursomes of executive women, those who participate will enjoy a golf and business networking experience like no other. This first time event will give women of all skill sets a chance to play nine holes with a PGA Champions Tour player during the week of the Allianz Championship. The fun-filled day will include a private clinic hosted by a PGA Champions player at 10:30 a.m., lunch at Noon followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. and a generous gift package from Lilly Pulitzer (http://www.lillypulitzer.com/). Registration is $750 per player, and includes Pro-Am gift package of two invitations to VIP Draw Party where awards will be presented for the back nine play, two VIP Partners Club Tickets, the private clinic by PGA Tour professional and round of golf. To reserve foursomes or individual tickets, contact Kady Stoll at 561-241-GOLF (4653).

ALLIANZ CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF AND WINE EXPERIENCE RETURNS
Friday, February 11th, 5:30 p.m., The Old Course at Broken Sound Clubhouse

As part of the fifth annual Allianz Championship, wine connoisseurs and golf enthusiasts will get the chance to hobnob on the green with legends of golf while popping the cork on the green to sample reds and whites from the private wine collections of golf pros’ own vineyards all while benefiting the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. In addition to indulging in the varietals from vineyards owned by golf pros Arnold Palmer, David Frost, Ernie Els, Gary Player, Fred Couples, and more, attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres by chefs at the Old Course at Broken Sound Clubhouse. There will also be interactive golf experiences, prize drawings, including the opportunity to win VIP tickets to the championship tournament. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased by calling the tournament office at 561-241-GOLF.

NEW ANNUAL ALLIANZ CHAMPIONSHIP FAIRWAY 5K OFFERS “FIRST EVER” ON-GOLF-COURSE RUNNERS EXPERIENCE ON TOURNAMENT’S FIRST FAMILY DAY THAT IS EXPECTED TO DRAW MULTI-GENERATIONS
Saturday, February 12th, 7:15 a.m. , The Old Course at Broken Sound Clubhouse

Offering something for everyone, including face painting, a bounce house, putting contests, Don Law, and more, the 2011 Allianz Championship Family Day to be held on the Saturday of the championship tournament promises all generations a fun-filled experience that opens with a “Florida first ever” on-the-course 5K run/walk. For more information and 5K registration, call the tournament office at 561-241-4653 or visit http://www.allianzchampionship.com/.

PGA TOUR “BIRDIES FORE CHARITY” MAKES WIDE SWING TO BENEFIT SOUTH FLORIDA NONPROFITS: 100% of Monies Raised By Participating Nonprofits Stays With The Participating Nonprofits


The Allianz Championship “Birdies for Charity” program is a fundraising vehicle through which participating nonprofit organizations solicit pledges from supporters based on the number of birdies made by PGA Champions Tour players during the three-day championship play Friday – Sunday, February 11-13, 2011, at the Allianz Championship. Participating organizations keep 100% of the pledges collected on their behalf. Participants can either make a one-time flat donation (minimum $10), or make a pledge of $0.02 or more for each birdie made by Champions Tour players during the 2011 Allianz Championship.


A list of “Birdies for Charity” participating organizations can be found at the tournament’s website www.allianzchampionship.com. Participants can choose one of organizations listed or choose to make the donation to benefit another charity of their choice. As an added incentive to donors, each person who makes a pledge to Birdies for Charity will be given the opportunity to guess the total number of birdies made by Champions Tour players during the 2011 Allianz Championship. One correct guess will win Two (2) tickets to the 2011 Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Donors also qualify to win random drawings conducted by the Allianz Championship. Contest is open to participants who are 18 years of age or older; one guess allowed per Birdies for Charity pledge; no more than 10 total entries per participant. NOTE: WHAT IS A BIRDIE? In golf, a “birdie” is a score of one stroke better than “par” for every hole on the course. “Par” is the normal expected score of a golf professional on any given hole. For example, if a player scores a 4 on a par 5 then he gets a birdie.


About Allianz Championship-In addition to bringing the legendary champions of golf to Boca Raton for a celebrated week-long PGA Champions Tour event, the Allianz Championship will be driving all net proceeds to Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Florida will play host to the event February 7-13, 2011. The Allianz Championship with a purse of $1.7 million, is the Champions Tour’s first tournament of the early-season Florida swing with the Golf Channel televising live all three rounds of the championship from The Old Course at Broken Sound Club. Visit http://www.allianzchampionship.com/ for updates, to purchase VIP tickets, and learn more about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

About Allianz Life-Founded in 1896, Allianz Life provides an array of annuities and life insurance products in the U.S. through a nationwide network of independent distribution. The company is part of Allianz SE, a global financial services group that is the 20th largest company in the world based on revenues (Fortune Global 500, August 2009), employing nearly 155,000 people worldwide.

About Broken Sound Club-Broken Sound is considered one of the premier golf course communities in Palm Beach County, FL. It features resort-style, country club living in 28 private villages and has 23 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness/spa center, aquatic area, dining facilities and two of the finest golf courses in South Florida. The original Broken Sound Club, now affectionately known as the "Old Course", was founded in 1978 and designed by Joe Lee. It will host the Allianz Championship. Gene Bates completed a redesign of the Old Course in January 2004. The Old Course features an abundance of trees unique to South Florida and rolling fairways that give it a feel similar to courses in the Pinehurst, NC area. It includes the largest stand of natural Florida maples trees in the county. The Club Course, another Lee design, was opened in 1985 and also recently renovated by Bates. Broken Sound is located on the north side of Yamato Road on Old Course Way between Congress Avenue and Military Trail.

About Boca Raton Regional Hospital-Serving the community since 1967, Boca Raton Community Hospital has 400 beds and more than 700 primary and specialty physicians with privileges. Areas of expertise include cancer, cardiovascular disease & surgery and women’s health. Proceeds from this year’s Allianz Championship will support the Ron & Kathy Assaf Center for Excellence in Nursing at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. With our country facing a nursing shortage of unheard of proportions, this initiative becomes an extremely important tool in our mission to attract and retain the highest caliber nursing staff in the country and to help our nurses discover a myriad of personal and professional opportunities, including scholarships that support their professional growth. For almost half a century, philanthropy has been an integral component of Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s success. Today, community support is more important than ever. For more information about the Foundation and its fundraising initiatives that support the mission of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, please call 561-955-4142.

Special Dedication Ceremony and Official Unveiling of Permanent Plaque Hails Plaza Real at Mizner Park in Downtown Boca as One of Ten Great Public Spaces in America 2010 by The American Planning Association

City of Boca Raton and South Florida government officials, business, tourism and community leaders gathered today for a special dedication ceremony and official unveiling of a permanent plaque and commemorative poster to celebrate the recent designation of Plaza Real at Mizner Park in Downtown Boca (www.downtownboca.org) by the American Planning Association (APA) as one of Ten Great Public Spaces In America 2010.  The commemorative poster, generously printed by National Communications, was designed for display and promotion by area businesses, attractions and cultural entities, and tourism partners to showcase Plaza Real and its APA designation-winning iconic park, lifestyle and cultural attributes. A commemorative cake with Plaza Real poster image was created by the Boca Raton Resort & Club and served to guests as a brass ensemble from the Boca Raton Symphonia performed in celebration.

The early morning program was presented by City of Boca Raton Planning, Zoning, Development Director Julia Trevarthen, AICP, the who served as master of ceremonies, with remarks by Marie L. York, AICP, a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and an APA Corporate Officer who represented the APA President and Board of Directors, Board of Commissioners of the Association’s professional institute, and the American Institute of Certified Planners at the ceremony; City of Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel, and CRA Chair and City of Boca Raton Council member Constance Scott who unveiled the Plaza Real commemorative poster. Joining them in the unveiling of the plaque were City of Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie and Council Member Mike Mullaugh, Palm Beach County Commissioner Steve Abrams, and representatives from the public/private partnership stewards for Mizner Park such as General Growth Properties and Crocker & Company.

In her opening remarks Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel noted that Mizner Park will celebrate its 20th birthday in 2011 sharing that “the Plaza Real and Mizner Park story is a remarkable one of the public and private sectors partnering to create and nurture a vital centerpiece of Downtown Boca Raton.  Together with GGP, we celebrate not only this coveted APA designation, but also the many people who have worked for more than two decades to make this such a special place.”

Launched in 2007, the APA’s national program Great Places in America celebrates places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, noteworthy social, cultural or historical character, community involvement, resilience, and a vision for the future.  APA Great Places are enjoyable, safe and desirable -- places that attract users every day. America's truly great streets, neighborhoods and public spaces are defined by many characteristics, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement.

“Plaza Real is exceptional for many reasons, including big thinking, planning and following-through on those big plans; site design and aesthetics; public-private collaboration; and community engagement,” said York.  “Plaza Real didn’t ‘just happen’ on its own. It came about as a result of public and private partnership and strong commitment to turn a shuttered shopping mall into an attractive commercial, residential and business district with a distinctive and unique public commons area.”

The planning for Mizner Park and Plaza Real dates to a 1988 comprehensive redevelopment plan that envisioned creating a place that would give residents a reason to go Downtown. Prepared by the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency, the plan brought about a $56.6 million renovation of the former Boca Raton Mall, which had closed in the late 1980s.  As noted by York, Mizner Park is considered by planners to be one of the first and most successful examples in the country of a former mall site being redeveloped for mixed-uses.

“This occurred because of the public-private partnership involving the City of Boca Raton, the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency, the development firm of Crocker & Company, and the area’s cultural organizations,” she added. “Together, these stakeholders demonstrated creative thinking and visioning, perseverance, and cooperation. Nothing was held back in terms of Plaza Real’s design and quality of materials. The resulting aesthetics of Plaza Real and Mizner Park are alone worthy of praise.”

Plaza Real is defined by five fountains, two wrought-iron detailed gazebos, public art, benches and palm trees that line the outer edges. The Plaza’s layout and building placement were intentionally designed to create a “Venturi effect” that enhances natural breezes flowing through the area. Building façades are Mediterranean in architectural style and partnered with Mizner Park’s similarly stunning architecture and design, described by University of Washington architecture professor Anne Vernez Moudon as “a post-modern reincarnation of 19th-century Paris and Barcelona”.  At the north end of the plaza is the Countess De Hoernle Amphitheater, and the Boca Raton Museum of Art and an additional building site for cultural development is currently used as green space. At the southwest end of the plaza features Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center that includes a black box theater and exhibition space.

“Welcoming and comfortable, the Plaza attracts users all hours of the day and night to mingle, relax, people-watch or play, and the space is easily accessed by car, bike or foot with four adjacent garages, numerous bike racks, and wide sidewalks and footpaths,” York added.

Chair of the Boca Raton Redevelopment Authority, Council Member Constance J. Scott concurred noting that “Mizner Park and Plaza Real are part of what make downtown Boca Raton a wonderful place to live, work and play. The APA recognition exemplifies that with creativity, persistence, and effective partnerships obsolete shopping malls can be transformed into vibrant places for everyone to enjoy.” 

Since the APA’s Great Places in America program’s inception in 2007, APA has designated 110 Great Places located in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Besides recognizing Plaza Real as a 2010 Great Public Space, this year APA also designated Riverside Avondale in Jacksonville as a 2010 Great Neighborhood. Two other Great Places designations in Florida were Ocean Drive in Miami Beach as a 2007 Great Street and 7th Avenue in Ybor City as a 2008 Great Street.

In addition to Plaza Real in Boca Raton, the 2010 Great Public Spaces included Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden, Birmingham, AL; Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA; Fountain Square, Bowling Green, KY; The Emerald Necklace, Boston, MA; Campus Martius Park, Detroit, MI; Bryant Park, New York City, NY; Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA; Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX; and Percival Landing Boardwalk and Park, Olympia, WA. Information about these and other Great Places in America can be found on APA’s website at www.planning.org/greatplaces. 

About the American Planning Association

The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning – physical, economic and social – so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people’s lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit www.planning.org.

South Florida Wyland Living Green Fair Drew and Inspired Thousands

There were many Aha! moments for the thousands of fairgoers that came out to second annual South Florida Wyland Living Green Fair last weekend at Mizner Park in Downtown Boca Raton that featured globally renowned marine life artist and leading international advocate for marine resource conservation advocate Wyland painting a new 50-foot mural each day with children, eco-conscious Disney teen stars that set out to “Rock Out This Planet” and a host of engaging and entertaining interactive activities, organic cooking demos by South Florida chefs and food tastings; product showcases, displays of eco-friendly hybrid cars; and more to show that now more than ever, it is easy, smart and stylish to live greener.


The free regional interactive community experience brought together art, community involvement, and awareness about the environment to share how individuals and families can do better for the Earth and live a higher quality of lifestyle. Passionate about the fair’s mission, Wyland (www.wyland.com) -- who was hailed a “Marine Michelangelo” by USA Today --lent his name and commitment to the fair as the City of Boca Raton lent the green space and hosted the regional event. Created to lead the way in educating families, communities and businesses on how to easily incorporate eco-friendly living with simple steps in everyday activities, fairgoers of all ages engaged.

Popular stops included the Kids Eco-zone presented by Gumbo Limbo Nature Center; the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center complete with a 40-person theater, a running river, video microscopes, a watershed exhibit with actual rainfall; Wyland’s Water’s Extreme Journey Maze; photos with the Green Man; live entertainment; movies; concert performances by Disney Channel and Radio Disney teen stars and an impressive a line-up of eco-friendly exhibitors of products and services.

“While having fun, fairgoers learned how to purchase better environmentally safe products, create less waste, see and try the newest innovative products and services, and get involved in eco-friendly programs,” noted Wyland Living Green Fair Founder David Etzler. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Wyland Foundation (www.wylandfoundation.org) in support of its important global awareness and educational projects and initiatives.

“It was truly gratifying that Wyland, with his creative forces and worldwide following, as title sponsor of this year’s fair and pleased to team up with the City of Boca Raton and Downtown Boca and such cultural and entertainment partners as the Boca Raton Museum of Art , Sound Tree Entertainment to deliver be a fun, family-friendly, engaging event for the public to enjoy,” added David Etzler. WLGF Eco-friendly sponsors include PNC Bank, the official WLGF Banking Sponsor; JM Family Enterprises, the official WLGF Education Outreach Sponsor; Boca Raton Resort & Club, the official WLGF Hotel; Kohler; Office Depot; Whole Foods; Toyota: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC; JM Lexus; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida; GGP; Royal Palm Place; Bella Doors and Windows; Panache; Artesian Chefs; Earthera; Michaels; Wool; Artistic Cabinetry; Kaye Communications, Inc., and Boca Raton Symphonia.

City of Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel added that, “We are delighted that such an important respected eco-friendly event such as the Wyland Living Green Fair has chose Downtown Boca as its official new home in recognition of our City’s great strides in this area and what we do to heighten green consciousness on a daily basis.”

For continuous updates and helpful “green living” tips and news as well as year ‘round Wyland Living Green Fair programs and activities, visit www.livinggreenfair.com, follow twitter/green_fair, friend on Facebook, email info@livinggreenfair.com or call 561-241-7309.

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About Wyland: Marine Life Artist Wyland (www.wyland.com) has earned the distinction as one of America’s most unique creative influences, and a leading advocate for marine resource conservation. An accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer, and SCUBA diver, he has traveled the farthest reaches of the globe for more than 25 years, capturing the raw power and beauty of the undersea universe. The artist’s efforts, moreover, have been recognized by the United Nations, Sierra Club, the Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he is listed among its Diving Hall of Fame, and private and public institutions throughout the world. Listed in Who’s Who in American Art, the Guinness Book of World Records, and many other national and international publications, the multi-faceted artist has even hosted several series for television, including, “Wyland’s Ocean World” on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet Network. In spring 2010, the United Nations unveiled a commemorative stamp issue of Wyland artwork to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO’S Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Today, Wyland is considered one of the most influential artists of the 21st Century, with artwork in museums, corporate collections, and private homes in more than one hundred countries. For more information, call Steve Creech at stevec@wylanddesign.com or 949-973-7070.

About the Wyland Foundation: Founded by renowned environmental artist Wyland, the nonprofit Wyland Foundation has helped children and families around the nation to rediscover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through public art programs, classroom science education, and live events. The foundation gives children the tools they need to become more creative, positive, and solution-oriented. It has supported numerous conservation programs since its inception as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1993, including marine artist Wyland’s monumental Whaling Wall mural project — an epic series of one hundred life size marine life murals that spans twelve countries on four continents, and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year. The Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is actively engaged in teaching millions of students about our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. For more information, visit http://www.wylandfoundation.org/.

A Great Opening Day For The Wyland Living Green Fair Weekend; More Today (Sunday)

It was a fun and inspiring day yesterday for thousands of fairgoers of all ages who came out to paint a 50-foot mural with globablly renowned marine life artist and marine life conservation advocate; see Disney teen stars Anna Margaret, Jasmine Sagginario, and Ryan Newman ”Rock Out This Planet; venture through the Wyland Water’s Extreme Journey Maze, explore the Wyland Mobile Learning Center interactive museum on wheels, and even paint a hybrid Lexus. Those who missed out yesterday still have the chance to come out today, Sunday, November 7th to experience it all. Wyland starts a fresh 50-foot canvas at 11 a.m. and is looking for aspiring young artists to join him. There are plenty of eco-friendly exhibitors, live entertainment including the Bullett band, appearances by Earth Man, an Kids Eco Zone featuring activities (and live snakes and tortoises) by Gumbo Limbo, and great cooking demos using organic foods.

Check out these photos from yesterday. http://bit.ly/aZNSV6

Much to see, do, explore and enjoy this weekend at the Wyland Living Green Fair at Mizner Park in Downtown Boca. Bring your family, friends and colleagues . New features each day.