“Scott is a great champion and I know he has been looking forward to the opportunity to defend his title at our new course, TPC Treviso Bay,” said Tournament Director Jason Camp. “His remarkable play down the stretch last year was one of the most memorable performances in The ACE Group Classic’s history. We are expecting that our first year at TPC Treviso Bay will provide us many more exciting memories.”

Hoch’s commitment comes less than a week after the announcement that Champions Tour Player of the Year Bernhard Langer will compete for the first time at The ACE Group Classic.

Hoch (68 – 66 – 68 = 202) outlasted Tom Kite, Tom Jenkins and Brad Bryant with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to win the 2008 title. Hoch had to have a birdie on the final hole of regulation to earn his spot in the playoff, and he narrowly missed an eagle that would have ended it there. Instead, he needed one more hole, a replay of the 18th, where he knocked home an eight-foot putt to win. 

Hoch was a hot starter on the Champions Tour last year. The ACE Group Classic was his second victory in the first three events of the year, and it set the tone for an outstanding 2008 campaign. He added two runner-up finishes and a third-place finish in route to nine top-10s and $1,497,530 in earnings. Hoch ended 2008 ninth on the Official Money List and Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Local retailers are now selling The ACE Group Classic Ultimate Golf Experience Book. This offer includes one week-long grounds pass to The ACE Group Classic and 136 rounds of discounted golf at some of Southwest Florida’s most exclusive golf courses, like Quail West, The Quarry and Tuscany Reserve. Complete information can be found online at www.acegroupclassic.com.


Ultimate Golf Experience Books can be purchased at these participating locations:

Edwin Watts Golf
3980 Tamiami Trail North (US 41)
Naples, Florida 34103
(239) 403-0615
Fax:  (239) 403-0630   

Edwin Watts Golf
8350 Hospital Drive, Suite 114
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
(239) 495-0409
Fax: (239) 495-2820

The Golf Guys
24181 S. Tamiami Trail
Bonita Springs, FL  34134
(239) 948-9840
Fax:  (239) 948-9841

The Golf Guys
15250 S. Tamiami Tr.
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
(239) 415-4155

The Golf Guys
778 Ninth St. N (41)
Naples, FL  34102
(239) 793-2000

Alfs Golf Shop
2700 Immokalee Road,
Building 200-C, Unit 22    
Naples, Florida 34110
(239) 254-1344
Fax: (239) 254-1348

Lumpy’s
11120 Cleveland Ave.
Ft. Myers, FL 33907
(239) 939-5235

Sam Snead’s
2460 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.
Naples, FL  34109
(239) 592-9999

World of Golf
4500 Tamiami Trail N.
Naples, FL 34103       
(239) 263-4999
Fax: (239) 263-7423

The ACE Group Classic Tournament Office
2010 Orange Blossom Dr.
Naples, FL 34109
(239) 593-3900