The 25th anniversary of The ACE Group Classic officially starts at 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning. As the tournament approaches, here are a few things to watch for:

1. Can Bernhard Langer Defend His Title?

Langer’s 2011 wire-to-wire win was truly remarkable, as he posted scores of 64-66-66 to finish four shots in front of Fred Funk and set The ACE Group Classic record for lowest total score at 20-under par. Last year’s title was Langer’s 14th on the Champions Tour. Langer should definitely be considered a favorite to capture this year’s title.

2. Notable Newcomers

Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Brad Faxon and Kenny Perry will all be competing in their first ACE Group Classic. Lehman put together an impressive year in 2011, winning three times, including a major title at the Regions Tradition, while also finishing at the top of the Champions Tour money list. Pavin, coming off his first Champions Tour win last week at the Allianz Championship, looks to continue his solid play. Perry and Faxon, who have 22 career PGA TOUR wins between them, are looking at 2012 as their opportunity to put their stamp on the Champions Tour. This group of newcomers should definitely play a factor in this year’s outcome.

3. A Return to TwinEagles

For the first time in tournament history, The ACE Group Classic will return to a venue that previously hosted the event. The TwinEagles Club hosted the tournament from 2002-2006. After several days of practice rounds, the course has received nothing but positive reviews from Champions Tour players.  “The golf course (at TwinEagles) is very nice. It’s all pretty much right in front of you. There’s not a lot of trickery out there”, said Corey Pavin. He continued, “if the weather is going to be like it is now, which I think it is, I think there could be some pretty decent scores shot here.”

Other Spectator Tips:

• Be sure to pick up a pairings guide before heading out onto the course.
• Enjoy all the latest updates in tournament action from the ease and comfort of your smartphone! Download the SportsPASS app on your iPhone or Android and then add The ACE Group Classic as an event to receive all pertinent information.
• Be sure to visit the concession stands throughout the course. Concessions are located near hole #3 green, hole #10 green, hole #13 green and hole #18 green.
• Fifth Third Bank ATMs are located near the Insperity Driving Range as well as near the Naples Daily News Putting Green.
• Restrooms are located throughout the course as well as the practice area and clubhouse.

Friday morning tee times start at 10:30 a.m. off of holes #1 and #10. Admission gates open at 9:00 a.m.

TEE #1
10:30
Morris Hatalsky – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Chip Beck – Lake Forest, IL
Mike Hulbert – Orlando, FL

10:39
Andy Bean – Lakeland, FL
Dana Quigley – West Palm Beach, FL
Bob Tway – Edmond, OK

10:49
John Harris – Minneapolis, MN
Jim Colbert – Big Horn CC, Palm Desert, CA
J.L. Lewis – Austin, TX

10:58
Allen Doyle – La Grange, GA
Joey Sindelar – Horseheads, NY
Bill Glasson – Stillwater, OK

11:08
Peter Jacobsen – Bonita Springs, FL
Jay Sigel – Boynton Beach, FL
Steve Lowery – Birmingham, AL

11:17
Vicente Fernandez – LaProvidencia RCC, Argentina
Peter Senior – Queensland, Australia
Mark Brooks – Austin, TX

11:27
Jeff Sluman – Hinsdale, IL
Larry Mize – Columbus, GA
Mike Goodes – Reidsville, NC

11:36
D.A. Weibring – Frisco, TX
Brad Faxon – Barrington, RI
Loren Roberts – Memphis, TN

11:46
Mark Wiebe – Denver, CO
Bob Gilder – Corvallis, OR
John Cook – Orlando, FL

11:55
Dan Forsman – Provo, UT
Mark O’Meara – Houston, TX
Lanny Wadkins – Dallas, TX

12:05
Tom Lehman – Scottsdale, AZ
Corey Pavin – Dallas, TX
Jay Haas – Greer, SC

12:14
Bernhard Langer – Munich, Germany
John Huston – Palm Harbor, FL
Curtis Strange – Morehead City, NC

12:24
Nick Price – Hobe Sound, FL
Mark Calcavecchia – Tequesta, FL
Kenny Perry – Franklin, KY

12:33
Dave Rummells – Kissimmee, FL
P.H. Horgan III – West Palm Beach, FL
Kip P. Byrne – Palm City, FL

TEE #10
10:30
Bobby Wadkins – Richmond, VA
Gary Koch – Tampa, FL
Jim Carter – Scottsdale, AZ

10:39
Tom Purtzer – Scottsdale, AZ
Chien Soon Lu – Taipei, Taiwan
Jim Gallagher, Jr. – Greenwood, MS

10:49
Wayne Levi – Naples, FL
Bruce Fleisher – Greenville, SC
David Peoples – Germantown, TN

10:58
Jim Thorpe – Heathrow, FL
Fuzzy Zoeller – Floyds Knobs, IN
Bobby Clampett – Bonita Springs, FL

11:08
Craig Stadler – Evergreen, CO
Tommy Armour III – Las Colinas, TX
Steve Pate – Westlake Village, CA

11:17
Tom Jenkins – Austin, TX
Scott Simpson – San Diego, CA
Jim Rutledge – Victoria, Canada

11:27
Gil Morgan – Edmond, OK
Mark McNulty – Orlando, FL
Michael Allen – Scottsdale, AZ

11:36
David Frost – Paarl, South Africa
Larry Nelson – Marietta, GA
Russ Cochran – Paducah, KY

11:46
Olin Browne – Tequesta, FL
Fred Funk – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Hale Irwin – Paradise Valley, AZ

11:55
Rod Spittle – Columbus, OH
Ted Schulz – Louisville, KY
Ben Crenshaw – Austin, TX

12:05
Tom Kite – Austin, TX
Mike Reid – Westminster, MD
Brad Bryant – Lakeland, FL

12:14
Jay Don Blake – St. George, UT
Gary Hallberg – Castle Rock, CO
David Eger – Charlotte, NC

12:24
Jeff Hart – Solana Beach, CA
Joe Daley – Scottsdale, AZ
Ben Bates – Pensacola, FL

The Thursday morning Pro-Am tees off at 7:45 a.m. The afternoon wave will begin at 1:00 p.m. Admission gates open at 8:00 a.m.

Click here for Thursday Pro-Am Pairings.

The Wednesday morning Pro-Am tees off at 7:45 a.m. The afternoon wave will tee off at 1:00 p.m. Check the complete pro-am listing below for pairings information.

Admission gates open at 8:00 a.m.

Click here for Wednesday Pairings.

NAPLES, FL (FEB. 13, 2012)- With the tournament starting this week, The ACE Group Classic is thrilled to present the final deal in the 25 Days of Discounts promotion. The 25 Days of Discounts is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Champions Tour golf in Southwest Florida, with different discounts leading up to the start of the tournament on Friday at The TwinEagles Club.

The final deal, which is valid from Feb. 13 – Feb. 16, is $10 off each 17th green Zig Zag Lounge ticket. The Zig Zag Lounge is the public hospitality skybox that includes food buffet and open bar. The 17th green Zig Zag Lounge tickets are regularly $75 but can be purchased through Thursday for $65. The offer does not apply to 18th green Zig Zag Lounge ($100) or the 17th and 18th greens package deal ($130).

The offer is automatically available online at www.acegroupclassic.com. This special discount is only available online. All spectators in the Zig Zag Lounge must have their own ticket, including children under 18.

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNT (Feb. 13-16): $10 off each 17th green Zig Zag Lounge ticket

Click Here to Access This Week’s Ticket Discount

NAPLES, FL. (FEB. 9, 2012) – The ACE Group Classic tournament officials recently announced that Fifth Third Bank will continue its partnership with the tournament as the official sponsor of the final round on Sunday, Feb. 19. During “Fifth Third Bank Sunday,” all Fifth Third Bank ATM or credit card holders will receive free admission on Sunday by presenting their card at the main gate. The ACE Group Classic takes place Feb. 13-19 at The TwinEagles Club.

“Through our partnership with The ACE Group Classic, we were able to develop Fifth Third Sundays,” said David Call, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (South Florida). “We are excited to share this event with our employees and customers, and encourage them to attend.”

Fifth Third Bank is also continuing its sponsorship of The ACE Group Classic volunteer program by providing hats and lanyards to over 700 volunteers, hosting volunteer meetings and sponsoring the volunteer headquarters tent. Tournament volunteers will also have the opportunity to participate in Fifth Third’s “Membership Advantage” program.

“Fifth Third Bank is proud to be the official volunteer sponsor for the 2012 ACE Group Classic,” Call said. “Without the volunteers, the event wouldn’t be possible, and Fifth Third Bank is proud of be able to give the community such support.”

“Fifth Third’s commitment to the community and strong support of local charities fits perfectly with the mission of The ACE Group Classic, and we are happy to welcome them back yet again,” said Tournament Director Lesley Baker.

Tickets are available online at www.acegroupclassic.com, by phone at (239) 593-3900 or in the Naples PGA TOUR Superstore. Children 17 and under are admitted free all week with a ticketed adult. Admission is free for everyone February 13 and 14.