2013 CVS Caremark Charity Classic Set To Tee Off

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

In a sure sign that summer has finally arrived in southern New England, it's time to tee it up in the 2013 CVS Caremark Charity Classic at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington.

As has been the case for the past 14 years, some of the biggest names in golf will be appearing in the event hosted by Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade. PGA Tour stars Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Steve Stricker and Billy Horschel are among those who will be participating in this year's event. "Yeah, I really am," said Horschel when asked if he was excited about being a part of the event. "It’s something I’ve actually paid attention to since it started in 1999. I love the game of golf, and whatever tournaments are on and growing up I used to watch it so it’s nice to be a part of it. [Billy] asked me and I was happy to accept."

Unlike your normal PGA Tour event where players are focused on each shot in medal play events, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic features two-person teams where the golfers play a best-ball format. Because of this, the players are very relaxed while on the course and often have great interaction with the fans who show up each year. Here are the tee times for the actual tournament which tees off on Monday:

10:30 a.m. Michael Thompson – Fuzzy Zoeller
Lexi Thompson – Peter Jacobsen

10:40 a.m. Pepsi MAX Shootout Team #1

10:50 a.m. Juli Inkster – Russell Henley
Annika Sorenstam – Billy Horschel

11:00 a.m. Pepsi MAX Shootout Team #2

11:10 a.m. Bo Van Pelt – Steve Stricker
Jeff Sluman – Brad Faxon

11:20 a.m. Morgan Pressel – Jay Haas
Bill Haas – Billy Andrade

11:30 a.m. Nick Price – Louis Oosthuizen
Rickie Fowler – Bubba Watson

Just before Monday morning's tee times, NBC's Dan Hicks will host the annual player's clinic on the 18th green beginning at 9am. For those who have never experienced it, this is well worth your showing up early for. Champions Tour star and NBC golf commentator Peter Jacobsen does impersonations of his fellow PGA and Champions Tour players and has the entire crowd and the field for the event laughing to the point of tears.

Prior to Monday, the pro-am will take place on Sunday . Golfers headlining the pro-am event include tournament co-host Billy Andrade as well as main field pro Lexi Thompson. The pro-am roster also features top local talent as fan favorites Dana Quigley and Brett Quigley return to Rhode Island Country Club. In addition, Geoff Sisk, who qualified for last week’s U.S. Open, will be on hand along with Golf Channel analyst and PGA TOUR winner Arron Oberholser and PGA TOUR player Hank Kuehne. The pro-am features morning and afternoon shotgun starts at 7am and 1pm.

Other twists to this year's even include an appearance of Bubba Watson's Oakley Hovercraft which you may have read about here more than a week ago. There are also family-friendly activities to take part in as well including a chance to sit in and take pictures of the Hovercraft. There will also be local PGA pros providing a free kid's clinic each day of the event.

If you don't have tickets for the event, fear not. Here is how you can get your hands on them.

Veterans Honored with Free Admission – Also new for 2013, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic is honoring veterans by offering complimentary admission for all active, reserve and retired Military Service Members and their dependents. Veterans simply present a valid Common Access Card or Retired Military Card at the gate any day throughout the three-day tournament. Police and Fire department employees and their families also receive free admission with a valid ID

Tickets
Tickets for the 2013 CVS Caremark Charity Classic are available through a special offer at CVS/pharmacy stores in Rhode Island as well as select CVS/pharmacy locations in Southeastern Massachusetts. Fans can purchase select products to receive a voucher good for one good-any-day ticket. Visit cvscharityclassic.com for details on eligible products.

In addition, fans can purchase a three-day pass ($60) or single, good-any-day tickets ($25) by calling 866-CVS-9441 or visiting cvscharityclassic.com for a mail-in application. Children 17 and under are free with a ticketed adult. The tournament also offers tickets to the Wine Pavilion presented by Robert Mondavi Private Selection. Open to attendees ages 21 or older, the Wine Pavilion is located between the 16th and 17th fairways along Narragansett Bay and offers daily food and wine samplings provided by award-winning Robert Mondavi, Clos Du Bois and Blackstone wines. Offering spectacular, close-up views of tournament play, tickets to the pavilion tent are $50 per day.