Salesmanship Club of Dallas
EDS Byron Nelson Championship: The Championship has raised more than $100 million for charity.

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008

New Tournament Director Named at EDS Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas announced that Jon Drago has been named the new tournament director for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the 2008 Nationwide Tour Championship, which will be hosted by the Salesmanship Club.

Drago replaces Janie Henderson, who retired this week after leading the Salesmanship Club and the Byron Nelson tournament for the last 27 years.

“The EDS Byron Nelson Championship is entering a new era,” said Andy Stern, chairman of SCCGD. “With the recent commitment from EDS to extend their title sponsorship of this event into 2014, the redesign of the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, and now the selection of a new tournament director, we are poised to improve on our current position as one of the largest sporting attractions in this area, the most anticipated social event of the season, and the most charitable event on the PGA TOUR.”

After a national search which included a number of highly-qualified candidates, SCCGD appointed Drago, who brings more than 15 years of experience in the golf industry to this position. Drago has worked for the Salesmanship Club and the EDS Byron Nelson Championship for the last 5 years, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Championship, Drago was a tournament manager with PGA of America and a golf professional with several clubs. A Master Professional with PGA of America, he is also a member of their National Rules Committee and has officiated at more than 100 golf championships.

“We are fortunate to have a tournament director with such depth and breadth of experience in this field,” said Kent Skipper, CEO of Salesmanship Club of Dallas. “Jon not only has a wealth of knowledge of the golf industry, but he has also worked closely with the Salesmanship Club over the last five years and understands what is needed to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

As tournament director, Drago will be responsible for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, an annual PGA TOUR event held in Irving, Texas, and the 2008 Nationwide Tour Championship, which will be held in McKinney, Texas. The Salesmanship Club has hosted the Byron Nelson tournament since 1968 and through this event has raised more than $100 million for charity. The 2009 EDS Byron Nelson Championship will be held May 18-24, 2009, at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas. The Club agreed to host the Nationwide Tour Championship, the season-ending event for the Nationwide Tour, at the request of the PGA TOUR. This event will be held November 3-9, 2008, at TPC Craig Ranch and will include the top 60 players on the Nationwide Tour. More information is available at www.edsbyronnelsonchampionship.org.