Safeway International to Increase Purse to $1.4 Million for 2005

November 16, 2004 – Phoenix, AZ

Tom Maletis, President of Tournament Golf Foundation, announced today the purse for the Safeway International will increase to $1.4 million for 2005.

The 2005 Safeway International will be held March 14-20 at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, east of Phoenix. The 2004 event featured record crowds for the LPGA in the Phoenix area and Annika Sorenstam won the event.

“With increased sponsorship from Safeway and their suppliers, along with more support from local sponsors, we are able to increase our purse for the LPGA players, while also increasing the amount we anticipate to donate to local charities,” said Maletis.

Contributions to charities through the Safeway Foundation from the 2004 Safeway International were $758,000.

The Safeway International featured one of the strongest fields on the LPGA tour in 2004. According to Maletis, “we appreciate the support the LPGA players have shown for the event. The increase in the purse is one way we can thank them for their continued loyalty to our tournament.”

The Safeway International will be broadcast nationally on the Golf Channel in 2005.

Tournament Golf Foundation is a volunteer group who donates their time and provides the primary operations of the annual event. Begun in 1972, the group is now comprised of 47 individuals and couples. The Safeway International benefits local charities in Arizona, primarily cancer research programs through Banner Health Foundation. The tournament has raised almost $10 million for charity since it began in 1983.

For more information on Tournament Golf Foundation and the Safeway International, www.safewaygolf.com.