TEE OFF WITH MEXICO AT THE 2008 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN

Chicago, IL June 19th, 2008 – The Mexico Tourism Board is excited to join Mexican golfer, Lorena Ochoa – the world’s number 1-ranked female golf player at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open (USWO). The tournament will be held from June 23-29 at the Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota.

Mexico is very proud of Lorena Ochoa’s achievements as a world-class athlete and as a human inspiration for the Mexican people. “I enjoy being out there playing with the best professionals. I get to weigh my game against other top athletes throughout the world…My ultimate goal is to keep being number one.” Following Ochoa’s example, the Mexican Government Ministry of Tourism is determined to position Mexico as America’s premier international golf destination. This should be easy to attain, as Mexico is blessed with geography that allows for its golf courses to be engineered rivaling any of the world’s best.

On June 25th, as Lorena Ochoa battles for the national championship title against the 155 greatest women golfers in the world, the Mexico Tourism Board will showcase the best of golf in Mexico at the Volunteer’s Tent. About 3,000 volunteers will discover why Mexico is rapidly becoming a neighboring golf heaven. While Mexico is currently more famous for its pristine beaches, awe-inspiring mountain and desert landscapes, diverse gastronomy, culturally enriched sites and friendly people, golf in Mexico is soon emerging as another powerful attraction that Mexicans can proudly showcase.

There are over 90 golf courses in Mexico that are open to tourism, and most of them have been created by the world’s top designers such as Jack Nicklaus, Robert Von Hagge, Roy Dye, Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones Jr. just to name a few.  Every one of these courses offer unique challenges which range from the overpowering desert and ocean scenery of Baja California to the exotic, uncharted jungle landscape that extends along the coast from Puerto Vallarta to Riviera Maya and Cancun; in the Mexican interior, the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains reign over even the most proficient golfers.

While at the Volunteer’s Tent on June 25th, the Mexico Tourism Board will be giving one lucky volunteer the opportunity to experience an ultimate Sierra Madre golf experience at the Tres Marias golf course. Every volunteer can register to win a trip which includes a flight for 2 to Mexico and a 3-night stay in a superior First Class hotel, compliments of Casa Travel, Inc; and 2 green fees, provided by Tres Marias Residential Golf Club in Morelia, Mexico.

Other prizes include two autographed Mexico caps by Mexico’s golf superstar, Lorena Ochoa specially signed for this event.

Volunteers of this year’s U.S. Women’s Open will also get the chance to experience a small sample of the golf experience that awaits them in Mexico: amazing food, great music, unmatched hospitality, world-class golf venues and quite a few memorable surprises.

About Lorena Ochoa

Mexico’s supreme sports ambassador, Lorena Ochoa is the world’s number-1 ranked female golfer. Ochoa is listed in Forbes Magazine 2008 list, as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Celebrities. “It takes a special person to achieve great things, but it takes something beyond that, to handle the pressure of representing pride for an entire country. At a very young age, Lorena Ochoa has become a national icon for Mexico and she accepts the responsibility such status requires” for more information on Lorena Ochoa, please visit, www.lorenaochoa.com

For more information on this tournament, please visit the official websites at www.uswomensopen.com and www.2008uswomensopen.com

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. 

 

About the Sponsors:

Casa Travel, Inc – An international airline consolidator focused on offering competitive airfares and unmatched service. Casa Travel seeks to help create value for your travel arrangements to Mexico, Central & South America.  For more information, visit www.casatravel.com or call their bi-lingual reservation center at 800-899-1096.

Tres Marias Residential Golf Club – The Tres Marias golf course is part of the Ciudad Tres Marias development. Jack Nicklaus had a very special motivation to participate in the “Tres Marias” project: the beauty of the surroundings, the extensive land area and the motivation this new challenge would bring; the first 18 holes are Nicklaus Signature and next 9 are Nicklaus Design, a golf course design company with International recognition and prestige, and the designers of many world renowned golf courses located in over 23 countries. To learn more about the master plan and this golf venue, please visit www.ciudad3marias.com.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB’s U.S. Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com.  To access an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress

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