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NAPLES, Fla. - Tournament host Greg Norman announced pairings for the 15th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout scheduled for November 12-16 at Tiburón Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.
The team of Rocco Mediate and Lee Janzen will defend its title against a group of players and teams representing 192 PGA TOUR victories and 20 major championship titles as The Franklin Templeton Shootout returns to Naples for the third consecutive year.
"I am really excited about playing with Shaun and playing in this event for the first time," said Chad Campbell, who finished second to PGA Champion Shaun Micheel and will join him as one of 12 teams in the field. "It is an honor to be able to play in Greg Norman's tournament because it means you have had a good season. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about the event and its charitable goals. Of course, whenever Greg is part of something, you know it will be firstclass."
 | | Janzen and Mediate will return to defend their title at the 15th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout. |
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Janzen and Mediate will return to defend their title at the 15th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout.
The pairings for the three-day competition:
- Greg Norman & Steve Elkington
- Rocco Mediate & Lee Janzen
- Kenny Perry & Scott Hoch
- Rich Beem & Mark Calcavecchia
- Craig Stadler & Peter Jacobsen
- Mark O'Meara & John Cook
- Shaun Micheel & Chad Campbell
- Nick Faldo & Fred Funk
- Tom Kite & John Huston
- Jeff Sluman & Hank Kuehne
- Brad Faxon & Scott McCarron
- Paul Azinger & Olin Browne
"I think these teams reflect an exciting mix of talent," said tournament host Norman. "Not only will we have to watch the defending champions, but also that Faxon and McCarron pairing, given their record in the event. And then you look at Stadler and Jacobsen, who have both had victories this year. "Overall, the fans of South Florida are in for a real treat with the competitors coming this year."
The field includes six of the top 30 players in the world-Perry (8th), Mediate (21st), Faxon (22nd), Funk (24th), Beem (29th) and Campbell (30th). Combined, more than half of the field is ranked among the top 100 in the world. Three players-Perry, Funk and Sluman (captain's assistant)- will represent the U.S. in this year's Presidents Cup competition. The PGA Tour sanctioned event will again provide world-class golf to the Naples area by bringing together 24 of the greatest names in golf competing as two-man teams. Tickets may be purchased by calling The Franklin Templeton Shootout office at (888) 66-SHARK (74275).
The 2003 field consists of 12, two-man teams based on the following criteria: defending champions, top-three committing players from the 2003 PGA TOUR money list, top-10 committing players from the career money list and nine special exemptions.
This year's event will again feature an alternate-shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. USA Network will televise Friday's coverage and CBS will handle broadcasting duties over the weekend. The purse for the 2003 Franklin Templeton Shootout has been increased by $150,000 to a record $2.4 million. This is the sixth consecutive year the purse has increased, and this year's winning team will split $550,000.
The Franklin Templeton Shootout was founded in 1989 as a result of Greg and Laura Norman's desire to raise money and awareness for children's charities and create a unique experience for PGA Tour players.
Thanks to the support and loyalty of Merrill Lynch and other corporate sponsors, event volunteers and fans, The Franklin Templeton Shootout has contributed millions to children's charities. The 15th annual event again will donate a significant portion of the proceeds to the National Childhood Cancer Foundation to assist its battle against this terrible disease.
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