Tucson, Ariz. (February 20, 2024) – 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences Tournament Chairman Joe Hickle announced today the initial round of player commitments for the upcoming PGA TOUR Champions tournament, set to be played at La Paloma Country Club March 8th – 10th. David Toms will return to defend his 2023 title against a strong field of competitors that includes 2018 tournament champion Steve Stricker; 2022 Charles Schwab Cup winner Steven Alker; World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els; 2022 Cologuard Classic champion Miguel Angel Jimenez; and Cologuard ambassador Jerry Kelly. Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink are also scheduled to make their Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences debuts. Other past tournament champions currently in the field include Marco Dawson (2015), Woody Austin (2016), Tom Lehman (2017), Mark O’Meara (2019), and Kevin Sutherland (2021). 2020 Cologuard Classic champion Bernhard Langer will miss this year’s tournament due to a recent torn Achilles tendon injury.
The 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences will feature a 78-player field competing for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 to the winner. PGA TOUR Champions golfers have until Friday, March 1 to commit to play in the Cologuard Classic and the tournament has five sponsor exemptions to award prior to the start of the tournament. Therefore, the field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the tournament.
Golf fans donating non-perishable food items or making a minimum $5 donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will receive a complimentary general admission ticket to Saturday, March 9th of the 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, compliments of presenting sponsor Exact Sciences. Non-perishable food items and monetary donations are currently being collected at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (3003 S. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85713); Rao Plastic Surgery (7341 E. Tanque Verde, Tucson, AZ 85715); the Center for Neurosciences (2450 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85737); and will also be collected at the PGA TOUR Champions tournament’s main entrance on Saturday, March 9th, in exchange for a complimentary general admission ticket. In tandem with this program, Saturday, March 9th is also Dress in Blue Day at the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, commemorating National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Fans, players, caddies and announcers are encouraged to wear blue to help raise awareness of colon cancer.
Over the past seven years, charity and community impact have been at the core of the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences. Southern Arizona youth sports and colon cancer awareness initiatives have benefitted from tournament proceeds, including more than $3.1 million since the 2018 tournament, the first with Cologuard® as title sponsor.
The Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences PGA TOUR Champions golf tournament raises awareness of colorectal cancer, highlights different screening options, and honors those affected by the disease. For more information on the Cologuard Classic, visit www.CologuardClassic.com. This globally recognized tournament is made possible by title sponsor Exact Sciences, the Tucson Conquistadores, volunteers, fans, key community partnerships as well as organizations such as The University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit ExactSciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on X (formally known as Twitter) @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Cologuard®
The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society's (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. The Cologuard test performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit www.cologuard.com. Rx only.
About The Tucson Conquistadores
The Tucson Conquistadores, Inc. is a nonprofit organized for the purpose of supporting local youth and special needs amateur athletics primarily in Southern Arizona, with an emphasis on offering life enhancing opportunities to give back to the local community. The Conquistadores are comprised of up to 59 active business and professional members and a total membership of 223 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. The Conquistadores have raised more than $37.2 million for local charities since their inception in 1962, including more than $3,091,000 since the 2018 tournament, Cologuard’s first as title sponsor. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include Southern Arizona youth athletic programs, First Tee-Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has also established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com.
About La Paloma Country Club
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, La Paloma Country Club is Tucson’s premier private club, featuring 27-holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. The club’s new Toptracer Range enhances an already impressive member experience that includes a host of recently elevated amenities, including an expanded clubhouse, event and activities lawn, halfway house, and fitness center. In addition to golf amenities, La Paloma members enjoy 10 tennis courts, four pickleball courts, access to five food and beverage venues, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, a five-pool aquatic playground, and the La Paloma Spa & Salon. Managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, La Paloma Country Club is part of the beautiful 250-acre Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. For more information on La Paloma Country Club, visit www.lapalomacc.com or call 520-618-4000.
About The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
The iconic Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a lush, 250-acre desert retreat nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains boasting breathtaking mountain, desert and golf course views. The property recently underwent a $35 million rejuvenation, including all 487 of Tucson's largest and most luxurious guest rooms, which range from 475 to 1900 square feet. Every aspect of the Resort has been reinvented, from guestrooms and suites, to golf course bunkers, to the five expansive pools. The resort has also been ranked as the #1 Westin property in North America for Meeting Planner satisfaction for six of the last eight years. The resort features five swimming pools, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, five restaurants, a Tennis & Health Center, Westin Kids Club and retail shopping. The newly renovated 475 square foot Traditional Guest Rooms includes a large work area with a two-line speakerphone with data port, wireless internet access, voice messaging, 42" HD-TV, in-room movies, laptop-sized safe, full size ironing board and iron, Starbucks’s coffee and gourmet tea. Guest rooms also feature Westin’s exclusive Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bathroom and Heavenly Mirror. Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes away.
ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 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. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on X (formerly Twitter - @ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
Tournament Media Contact:
Rob Myers
rob@rmprgroup.com
602-317-6131
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