Chattanooga Classic Announces Presenting Sponsor

For the second year in a row, Cummings Cove RealtyCenter/GMAC has agreed to become the presenting sponsor for the Nationwide Tour's Chattanooga Classic, set for May 30-June 5 at Black Creek Club.

In other news involving the tournament, the nation’s most outstanding amateur in 2004 and one of the rising stars of professional golf, Casey Wittenberg, has received a sponsor’s invitation to play in the tournament.

“This is a double dose of good news for us,” said Sam Woolwine, the Classic’s executive director. “Cummings Cove Realty Center/GMAC has signed an agreement with us to be presenting sponsor. Golfweek just recently affirmed what we knew already, naming Black Creek the nation’s 25th most outstanding residential golf course. Obviously, Cummings Cove plays a huge role in that.”

Not surprisingly, the top 25 was dominated by southeastern courses. Black Creek was one of 10 in the southeast among the top 25. Black Creek was also the only course chosen in Tennessee on the total list of 100.

“This is a win-win situation,” said developer Jim Chapin. “We’re happy to help because the golf tournament does so much for our city and our community here is 100 percent behind the event. It brings great golf and great entertainment to our city.”

“RealtyCenter/GMAC is happy to be involved with the tournament again,” said Brian Kelly, the real estate partner with Cummings Cove. “It is a great event and we’re excited about being part of it again.”

Wittenberg only last week competed in the Masters, making the cut and finishing in a tie for 33rd. Last year the Tennessee native was low amateur in the Masters, finishing 13th, and 36th in the U.S. Open as a teenager. His 13th-place finish at Augusta was the highest amateur finish since 1962.

“I’m really excited about coming back to Chattanooga again,” Wittenberg said. “I played in the state amateur at the Honors when I was 14 years old and played pretty well. Chattanooga’s a great city.”

The tournament also announced that tickets for the event will go on sale in Hamilton County public middle and high schools Monday. The schools and The First Tee of Chattanooga are the principal charities for this year’s tournament.