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Hyundai Motor America Named Title Sponsor of Hyundai Team Matches

    NEWPORT COAST, Calif.--Aug. 28, 2000--

    Defending Championship Teams of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia, and Juli Inkster and Dottie Pepper
    Set to Return to Pelican Hill Golf Club Dec. 15-17, 2000

    Hyundai Motor America makes its first venture into professional golf as the title sponsor of the Hyundai Team Matches, formerly known as the Diners Club Matches, it was Monday announced by Terry Jastrow, Gaylord Event Television president and executive producer of the tournament.
    Back to defend their 1999 titles at Pelican Hill Golf Club and vie for the $1.2 million in prize money are the Senior PGA TOUR team of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, the PGA TOUR team of Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia, and the LPGA TOUR team of Juli Inkster and Dottie Pepper, who have won the event a record three times.
    The event will take place Dec. 15-17, 2000 and be broadcast live on ABC Sports Saturday and Sunday Dec. 16-17 from 4 to 6 p.m. EST.
    "The team match play championships of all three tours has been very popular amongst players, fans and television audiences," Jastrow said. "Now, with the support of Hyundai as the new title sponsor, coupled with their aggressive and passionate belief in the event, all of us involved feel the Hyundai Team Matches will emerge stronger and better than ever."
    The Hyundai Team Matches represent the first-ever title sponsorship for Hyundai Motor America, which has been based here in Orange County since entering the U.S. market in 1986.
    The Hyundai Team Matches will expose a new audience to the car company's expanding product line, which includes the XG300 luxury sedan and the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle, both new models. Each of the six team winners will be awarded with a brand-new 2001 Hyundai XG300.
    "Hyundai Motor America is very pleased to be affiliated with this unique, high-profile event at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach," said David Weber, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America. "We look forward to a terrific golf tournament and a wonderful opportunity to showcase our new cars at the event and on national television."
    "We are very excited to be returning to Pelican Hill Golf Club as it is such a wonderful venue for this event," said tournament director Gary Pollard. "We look forward to providing the Orange County community with a first-rate tournament that brings together all three tours in an intimate setting unlike any other event in the area."
    A total of 24 players comprised of four two-person teams from each tour determine the field. Teams play within their respective tour division. The two winners from Saturday's competition in each division advance to the finals on Sunday with the chance to earn the Hyundai Team Matches championship for their respective tour division. The two losing teams also will compete on Sunday in a consolation round.
    Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai cars and light trucks are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 500 dealerships nationwide.
    Gaylord Event Television, formerly Jack Nicklaus Productions, is a division of Nashville, Tenn.-based Gaylord Entertainment Co. . Headed by Jastrow, a seven-time Emmy Award winning producer, the company created this event in 1994.
    A world renowned producer and marketer of television sports events, specials, computer games and home videos, Gaylord Event Television has produced such prestigious events as the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge, the Countrywide Tradition and Michael Douglas & Friends presented by Mazda and the Harvey Pennick Invitational.
    In 2000, Gaylord Event Television will produce more than 50 hours of programming for ABC, CBS, FOX and ESPN Networks.
    For advance ticket reservations and more tournament information on the 2000 Hyundai Team Matches, call the tournament office at 949/759-5157.