Edmonton, AB - ATB Financial, TELUS, The Canadian Professional GolfTour and Linx Marketing are proud to announce a four-year partnership which will see the merger of the two Canadian Tour events in Alberta into one larger, more prestigious event.   The ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS have a purse of $250,000 and will rotate between Edmonton and Calgary starting in 2010.

The 2010 ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS will take place at the Edmonton Country Club June 29 to July 4, with Calgary’s Bearspaw Country Club hosting the 2011 tournament. The purse increase will make the ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS a major stop on the Canadian Tour’s schedule and, as such, will attract the best young golfers in the world to Alberta.

“Whether it’s the Classic or the ATB Financial Golf Day in Alberta, we’re always eager to grow and celebrate the grand game in Alberta, said John Windwick, ATB’s vice-president Community and Government Relations. As a company with a deep commitment to this province, we’re proud to be the title sponsor of a bigger, better tournament in both Edmonton and Calgary.

“TELUS is proud to be involved in this golf tournament which continues to be a favourite with golf fans throughout Alberta and connects to the community in such a positive way, said Andrea Goertz, vice-president of TELUS Enterprise Services and Strategic Initiatives.  We remain committed to supporting sport and supporting our communities and, by presenting the ATB Financial Classic, TELUS will help the event continue to grow and maintain its position as an event second to none in Canadian golf.