PHOENIX - Best Western, THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN® is kicking off the summer with a variety of promotions that promise to increase the visibility and positioning of the brand. Best Western’s People vs. the Pros at Lake Las Vegas is a new kind of reality TV, pitting amateur golfers against world-renowned professionals—Lee Trevino or John Daly—competing head-to-head for $100,000. The unprecedented sports competition will air on Monday, June 2 from 8-11pm EST on The Golf Channel.

All amateurs wonder how well they might compete against the best in the world. Because of its handicap system, golf is the only sport that can make that dream a reality. On June 2, the two amateur golfers (one 49 or younger and one 50 or older) will have the chance to test themselves and their game against Trevino or Daly with the winners receiving $100,000, while the runners-up collect $50,000.
The two amateur players will be chosen from the Best Western’s People vs. the Pros at Lake Las Vegas sweepstakes or bidding auction. Amateur golfers, with verifiable handicaps, can enter the sweepstakes from March 1 - April 15 by submitting an entry via the web at bestwestern.com, PeoplevsthePros.com, lakelasvegas.com, TheGolfChannel.com, si.com, GolfOnline.com, cbs.sportsline.com and other websites to be announced.
A bidding auction via eBay will be the second way to enter the event. Bidding will begin March 1 and conclude April 22. A portion of the proceeds from the bidding auction will benefit charity.

The sweepstakes and auction winners will compete in a three-day, stroke-play competition, May 30 - June 1, 2003, at Lake Las Vegas, to yield one amateur champion in each age group. On June 2, the 49 or under amateur champion will play against Daly, while the 50 or older amateur champion plays against Trevino. Renowned golf announcer Ben Wright will provide the commentary, marking his return to live golf television.

“With the tremendous popularity of golf, both from a playing and viewing perspective, this event is an ideal opportunity to leverage our position as THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN® with an audience that travels frequently,” explains Tom Higgins, president and CEO, Best Western International. “We have hotels that appeal to everyone from the weekend hacker to the par golfer.”
For the golf spectator, bestwestern.com will offer an additional sweepstakes that includes a trip for two to watch the event at Lake Las Vegas, lodging, transfers, VIP hospitality and $500 spending money.

A limited number of $20 gallery tickets for Best Western’s People vs. the Pros at Lake Las Vegas will be on sale to the public throughout the month of May at the Lake Las Vegas tournament office. For more information, go to bestwestern.com or PeoplevsthePros.com.

“There has never been an event like this, and it is that unique nature that appeals to Best Western,” explains Bob Gilbert, vice president Worldwide Marketing and Sales. Best Western International. “This is a great promotion to start what promises to be an exciting summer. Building on our record-high brand awareness numbers we felt this promotion would leverage our award-winning television spots and help increase our visibility to an untapped market for us.”

Best Western International is the title sponsor of this event and Lake Las Vegas is the host site. Wendy’s International, Inc. and Dr Pepper are among the official sponsors. The Golf Channel will serve as the broadcast partner, while Golf Magazine is the media partner and eBay is the auction partner.

Lee Trevino, 63, is a two-time winner of three major championships: the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, in addition to 29 PGA Tour and 29 Champions Tour wins. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981.

John Daly, 36, the longest driver on the PGA Tour for a record-setting 11th year—his tee shots average over 300 yards—has won both the British Open and the PGA Championship; and has finished first on the PGA Tour four times.

Best Western International is THE WORLD`S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN® with more than 4,000 hotels in 80 countries and territories. Each independently owned and operated hotel in this member association displays it own unique charm while maintaining consistent global standards with BestRequests®. For reservations or more information call (800) WESTERN or visit bestwestern.com.

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