Press Release

For Immediate Release June 26, 2013

Central Oregon selected to host 2014 Western Golf Alliance Open

Blend of resorts and public courses entice golfers to this great destination

BOTHELL, Washington. The Western Golf Alliance today announced the selection of the Bend, Oregon area as the host for the 2014 Western Golf Alliance Open. After a prolonged analysis process, this tremendous golf destination was selected over proposals from the Scottsdale area, the San Diego area, and Kohler, Wisconsin, to host the biennial golf championship of the WGA.

"Oregon has been an important destination for our Open championship since the inception of our club, yet we have never enjoyed the great high desert experience of Central Oregon," said Peter McGarry, WGA president. "The amazing quality of golf in this region should perfectly complement our amazing event."

"When we evaluated the various options, the committee was simply overwhelmed by the golf options available to us in little ol' Bend, Oregon," added Patrick Frengle, WGA competition committee co-chairman. "From several top U.S. golf courses, to dozens of great microbreweries, this location will create a fabulous experience for everyone on and off the course."

The Western Golf Alliance is known for holding its Open on elite, famous courses that represent the very best golf in the western United States. While the WGA has not made a final determination on which courses will be used for the Open, they have announced that the "host destination" for the 2014 WGA Open will be the Sunriver Resort. Headlined by the Crosswater course, Sunriver will play a significant role in in deciding the Open champion. In addition, the club will be working with the Pronghorn Resort, Tetherow Golf Club, and Brasada Ranch to determine how to fill out the full 72 hole lineup.

For the first time in its history, the WGA held an elimination-tournament style voting process for determining which location to select for the 2014 Open, soliciting formal bids from the candidate destinations. After the Competition Committee received bids from 16 possible location, approximately 61,400 votes were cast over four rounds of voting in order to select Bend Oregon.

"The last time we came to Oregon was in 2008 at Bandon Dunes, but this location will present a radically different set of challenges for the golfers," said McGarry. "We expect a tough, fair, and visually stunning competition."

The WGA expects the announcement of Bend, Oregon to spur interest in membership, and is prepared for such inquiries. All probationary members that join between now and May 2014 are eligible to enter the Western Golf Alliance Open and participate in regional qualifying.

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About the Western Golf Alliance: The Western Golf Alliance is the premier golf organization in the United States. The WGA exists to further the greatness of this grand sport of golf through the improvement of golf play by its members, the promotion of golf rules, etiquette, and tradition, and the ability to gather together from time to time for golf events and tournaments. The regional organization spans five western states, and is organized into nine geographic regions. Further information is available at www.westerngolf.org.

About Sunriver Resort: Located on the dry side of the Cascade Mountains in sunny Central Oregon, AAA Four-Diamond and Destination Hotels & Resorts property Sunriver Resort features nearly 250 guestrooms and more than 300 vacation rental properties. Sunriver Resort is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with 63 holes of championship golf, 28 tennis courts, 35 miles of paved bike paths, three swimming complexes, an on-site marina, stables, observatory, world-class spa and fitness center and first-class youth and teen programs. For more information, call 800-801-8765 or visit us anytime at www.sunriver-resort.com.

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