MICHELOB ULTRA OPEN AT KINGSMILL EXTENDS COMMITMENT TO LPGA TOUR
“Fifth Major” Returns To Kingsmill Through 2009

WILLIAMSBURG, VA. (Dec. 06, 2007) – Virginia’s golf lovers can look forward to two more years of the LPGA’s brightest stars teeing off at Kingsmill Resort and Spa’s immaculate River Course following the renewal of the LPGA Tour Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill through 2009.

“We’re very proud of the reputation we’ve built as one of the premier stops on the LPGA Tour,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president, Global Media and Sports Marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  “For more than half a century, the LPGA Tour has served as center stage for the world’s elite players.  Anheuser-Busch is proud of our relationship with golf and we’re excited to continue this sponsorship.”

The 2008 Michelob ULTRA Open is scheduled for May 5-11, with tournament play set for May 8-11.  The Michelob ULTRA Open offers one of the richest prize purses on the LPGA Tour, with $2.2 million up for grabs and a $330,000 payday awaiting the champion.  The event also serves as an automatic qualifier into the season-ending ADT Championship.

“The Michelob ULTRA Open is a favorite event of all the players on Tour, which is why we call it the ‘Fifth Major,’” said LPGA Tour pro Natalie Gulbis.  “I love the River Course and all of the challenges and beautiful scenery it presents.  It's a good ball striker's golf course and the greens are so pure even after they endure a couple days’ play.  The staff and volunteers do a really nice job of presenting the resort and the course in a highly professional manner, which makes the players want to play this event year after year.”

The 2008 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill marks the tournament’s sixth year on the LPGA Tour schedule and Kingsmill’s 28th year as host to a professional golf tournament.

With 29 of the top 30 players in attendance, the 2007 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill boasted one of the strongest fields and provided one of the most thrilling finishes on the LPGA Tour last season.  Norway’s Suzann Pettersen began the final round four strokes out of the lead, but fired a bogey-free 68 to put her at 10-under par (274) for the tournament and into a sudden death playoff with South Korea’s Jee Young Lee.  Pettersen earned her first LPGA Tour victory with a par on the third playoff hole.

The Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill continued Anheuser-Busch's proud tradition of charitable support in Virginia by donating $221,000 to 19 Virginia civic and charitable organizations in the greater Williamsburg community.  In addition, the tournament’s Here’s to the Heroes program provides free admission for active duty military and one dependent throughout the event.

"To raise more than $1.3 million in just five years is a testament to the generosity of the people of Virginia and it caps off yet another tremendous year at the Michelob ULTRA Open," said Tournament Director Wayne Nooe. "We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come with the return of the top LPGA Tour players, quality sponsors, amazing fans and dedicated volunteers that make this tournament so successful."

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales.  The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.  Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer.  Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007.  Anheuser‑Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

For information regarding tickets or sponsorship of the 2008 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, contact the tournament office at (757) 253-3985 or visit www.michelobultraopen.com.

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