Eugene, OR (August 25, 2008) - The Oregon Classic presented by Kendall Auto Group has awarded John Ellis a sponsor's exemption to participate in the tournament taking place September 15-21 at Shadow Hills Country Club. Ellis is the first of four players to be offered an exemption; the remaining three will be announced at a later date. John Ellis will be making his fourth start in the Oregon Classic, an official PGA TOUR event on the Nationwide Tour. In his previous three starts, Ellis made the cut twice highlighted by a tie for 13th in 2006.
Ellis, from San Jose, CA, competed for the University of Oregon golf team from 2000 to 2003. His career was capped during his final season for the Ducks with a victory in the Oregon Duck Invitational and being honored with a First-Team All Pac-Ten selection.
"The Oregon Classic has a very special place in my heart and I am so thankful to the tournament for extending me this invitation," said Ellis. "Eugene is one of my favorite cities and Shadow Hills Country Club always has some of the best greens we play all year on any tour."
Ellis may have a strong case for being one of the hottest players in professional golf in 2008. Competing on the Canadian Tour, he has notched three victories thus far and stands atop the Order of Merit with a $17,000 lead over second. His year got off to a fast start with back to back wins early in Stockton, CA and Mazatlan, Mexico. Ellis' victory in Mexico was due in great part to a 62 he fired in the first round. Said Ellis following his first round, "I've definitely found my groove. I kept it in the fairway and just kept making the putts." His third victory of the season came in early July at the TELUS Edmonton Open.
John Ellis' success has not just been limited to the Canadian Tour. The 28 year old also qualified for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines where he barely missed the cut by two shots. "Playing in the U.S. Open was a great experience for me. Although I missed the cut I felt that I could compete with the best in the world on the PGA TOUR. I took a lot of positives away from the week over all."
"We are all very excited to have John Ellis return to the Willamette Valley. He has had an incredible year on the Canadian Tour thus far and we look forward to his success continuing out at Shadow Hills," tournament director Chris Hoff said. "I have no doubt that John will be on the PGA TOUR very soon and we hope the Oregon Classic can be that springboard for him."
Current University of Oregon head golf coach Casey Martin couldn't be happier to see Ellis tee it up again in Eugene. "John's developed into one of the best mini-tour golfers out there and is on the cusp of breaking through," said Martin. "As a Duck fan and good friend of John's, I can't wait to see him compete at Shadow Hills next month and hopefully take home his first Nationwide Tour victory."
Oregon Classic Presented by Kendall Auto Group
The Oregon Classic is in its 11th year as an official PGA TOUR event on the Nationwide Tour. Presented by Kendall Auto Group and supported by more than 100 local businesses, the Oregon Classic has become one of the longest tenured events on the Tour. To date, more than $900,000 has been raised to help support local charities. For 2008, the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic will be the primary charitable beneficiary of the Oregon Classic. Additional benefiting charities include the First Tee of Willamette Valley, Children's Miracle Network and many more. For more information on the tournament, how to volunteer and for ticket information, please contact us at (541) 242-0677 or log on to www.oregonclassic.com.
