Norman's Shark Shootout a great SW Florida event
andyHALL Special to Florida Weekly

Each year, in late fall, Southwest Florida plays host to the PGA Tour's premier postseason event known as the Shark Shootout. Hosted by PGA Champion Greg Norman, and sponsored by wealth management company Merrill Lynch, the event features 24 top players at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Dec. 5 through 9.

Always a fun event and known for it's informality between players and fans, the tournament allows golf enthusiasts an upclose view of the players on each hole, enabling the pros to interact with and play to the crowd. It's a great outing for the entire family; one golfers have enjoyed attending since 1989.

More importantly, the event benefits the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation comprised of more than 200 member medical institutions - for pediatric cancer programs that treat 90 percent of children with cancer in North America. Since the 1950s, cooperative research has improved the survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 10 percent to over 77 percent overall.

This year's $2.8 million event counts many notable golfers among the 24 accepting invitations, including eight winners on the 2007 PGA Tour schedule. Participants include Woody Austin, Charles Howell III, Fred Funk, Mark Calcavecchia, Scott Verplank, Justin Leonard, and two-time champion Zach Johnson, who won golf's coveted Green Jacket after a two-shot victory over Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen and Rory Sabattini at the Masters in April.

COURTESY PHOTO Merrill Lynch Shootout host, Greg Norman, participates in his 18th event last year benefiting the Cure- Search National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Also joining the field is Steve Stricker, who rocketed to Number 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking following this season's breakout performance. Stricker, who finished second in the inaugural FedEx Cup standings, had one of the strongest secondhalf performances of the 2007 PGA TOUR season.

"Steve's remarkable run started last year when his peers voted him Comeback Player of the Year," said Norman. "Then he came out this season and played even better. His presence greatly enhances what I believe is the best field we have assembled since moving to Naples seven years ago."

Others who have committed include defending champions Jerry Kelly and Rod Pampling, nine-time tour winner Kenny Perry, four-time tour champion Stewart Cink, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Nick Price. Also participating are 2005 Presidents Cup star Chris DiMarco, threetime Shootout winner Fred Couples, twotime major champions John Daly and Mark O'Meara, along with international star and fan favorite Camilo Villegas, who recorded three top-10 finishes in the four FedEx Cup playoff events this year.

Additionally, 2007 PGA TOUR Rookieof the-Year candidate Anthony Kim will make his initial Shootout appearance, along with returning Shootout veterans Jeff Sluman, Scott Hoch, Scott McCarron and Steve Elkington, who have amassed 41 tournament appearances. Sluman, McCarron and Elkington have combined to win eight Merrill Lynch Shootout titles.

Norman, appearing in his 19th Merrill Lynch Shootout, is joined by members of the victorious U.S. Team at the recent 2007 Presidents Cup held in Canada. Austin, Cink, Howell III, Johnson, Stricker and Verplank all were members, producing a record of 15-8-3 at Royal Montreal. Cink secured the winning point for the U.S. team on the last day of play, while Verplank led the group with a 4-0-0 individual record.

The Shootout will once again feature a modified alternate-shot format during the first round on Friday, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble on Sunday. A variety of ticket options for the event are on sale now. Orders can be placed three ways, order by calling 888-66-SHARK, by visiting Alf's Golf Shop in Naples, or by visiting online at www.mlshootout.com.