2012 News Releases

Waterloo - Stacy Lewis, currently the sixth-ranked LPGA player in the world, is in Waterloo today, May 28^th, generating excitement surrounding the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic tournament. Ms. Lewis will visit and tour the Regional Cardiac Care Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital and will be featured at a press conference at Grey Silo Golf Course at 1:30 p.m.

Tournament Week
The Manulife Financial LPGA Classic’s event week schedule has been finalized. The on-course events will begin on Monday with the St. Mary’s Hospital Pro-Am. Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the top 50 players in the field will kick-off the official Pro-Am.

The first and second rounds of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will take place onThursday and Friday beginning at 7:00 a.m. and will be televised live on the Golf Channel from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. The final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday will be televised live on the Golf Channel from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Grey Silo Golf Course will be open to all spectators beginning Wednesday, June 20^th.

As title sponsor, Manulife Financial will have a major presence on the golf course. The “Manulife Green Zone,” will be a cube-shaped fan-interaction zone located near the main entrance, where spectators can learn about Manulife Financial’s community initiatives and receive prizes. As well, all ATM’s on-site will be courtesy of Manulife Bank. Other major partners of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will play large roles at the tournament as well. The BlackBerry® Pairings Event, sponsored by Research In Motion, will kick-start the socialaspect of the tournament on Tuesday, June 19 at the Waterloo Inn & Conference Hotel. Research In Motion will also give attendees score updates and other news alerts on their BlackBerry® devices throughout tournament week. 

 The official charity partner, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, will be conducting a week-long 50/50 draw expected to be a major spectator interest story throughout the week. The winner and total amount will be announced after the final round on Sunday, June 24. Molson Coors will offer sampling opportunities of their newest products, and the Uptown Waterloo BIA and Downtown Kitchener BIA will host the information centre to help with on-site and local area inquiries. 

Winner’s Trophy
The Manulife Financial LPGA Classic is proud to announce the creation of a custom glass trophy produced in Waterloo Region. The unique design will be presented to the winner of the tournament during a trophy presentation following play on Sunday, June 24. Julia Hillyer designed the beautiful trophy at The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo.

"Glass is a material of inherent beauty and limitless possibility. Its fluid gracemakes it an exhilarating and inspirational challenge to form. As I blow glass, it reacts to my touch, my breath, my speed, just as I react to it. It is truly a reflective material - a reflector of light, concept, artist. It is also a voice, a vehicle of expression,” stated Hillyer.

“With only three weeks left until the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, excitement levels have greatly intensified in the community," said Brian Gooding, Senior Vice President of Distribution at Manulife Financial. "Today we were thrilled to unveil the beautiful tournament trophy - handcrafted right here in K-W - and we look forward to crowning the first ever Manulife Financial LPGA Classic champion.”

 The inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will be staged June 20-24 at Grey Silo GolfCourse in Waterloo, Ontario. The top female players in the world including previously confirmed Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie and Canadian Lorie Kane will compete for the $1.3 million purse in this 72 hole, stroke play tournament. Tickets start at $30 and kids 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.manulifeclassic.com.

About the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic
The Manulife Financial LPGA Classic is a new addition to the LPGA Tour and will feature a standard eligibility field of 144 players, 72 holes of stroke play and a purse of $1.3 million. The 2012 inaugural tournament will take place June 20-24, at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario, home of Manulife Financial’s Canadian Division. Live television coverage to over 50 countries will be provided by The Golf Channel. www.manulifeclassic.ca

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services groupwith principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offersfinancial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$512 billion (US$512 billion) as at March 31, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

About Sports Properties International
Sports Properties International was created to provide an environmentwhere communities and spectacular sporting events can come together, connected by a common interest. Sports Properties International can be found on the Internet at www.sportspropertiesinternational.com.

About Bruno Event Team
Bruno Event Team (BET) is a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports marketing and event management company formed in 1996 by Ronald Bruno and Gene Hallman. Bruno Event Team is experienced in all facets of event management, employing a year-round staff of 70+ employees in nine offices around the United States and one office in Canada. Bruno Event Team services each client with expertise in strategic planning, marketing, advertising, public and media relations, ticket and merchandise sales, sponsor relations, hospitality consulting, event operations, event financial planning/accounting and volunteer coordination.Visit www.brunoeventteam.com for additional information.