Click to view photos of the 2008 tournament.

The 2008 Jack Nicklaus International Invitational (JNII), sponsored by Jack Nicklaus Apparel International (JNAI), recently concluded with the Tournament of Champions held October 21 on the The Champion at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida USA.

The Tournament of Champions was the final competition for two-member amateur teams from eleven countries who competed for the right to represent their country by winning regional and national tournaments. Thousands of golf enthusiasts from Canada, China, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa and the USA competed to win the expenses paid trip to Florida.

The Tournament of Champions was played as a Scramble. The winning 6-under 66 score was posted by the Czech Republic team of Pavel Vilimovsky and Robert Bouska. The Czech's played the last four holes including the infamous Bear Trap (holes 15, 16 and 17) one-under to hold off a hard lucked South African team. Brothers Matthys and Izak Marais of South Africa left birdie putts on 15 and 16 on the doorstep finishing with a 4-under 68. In May 2008, USA Today stated that The Bear Trap is “one of the toughest stretches in golf.” New Zealanders Malcolm Wells and Mark Mohekey posted a 2-under 70 to claim third place.

In addition to the rounds of golf on the Jack Nicklaus designed Champion, each participant at the Tournament of Champions was provided a VIP trip including round-trip air transportation, luxury accommodations and hospitality for five days. The teams were greeted personally by Jack Nicklaus at the awards luncheon following the event. Along with the many amenities and gifts the players received was a personally signed photograph with Mr. Nicklaus.

National tournaments for the 2008 JNII are scheduled to begin as November 2008 in the same eleven countries as the 2008 event plus Australia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Taiwan. National tournaments are open to golf enthusiasts of all skill level. Entrants must simply be of legal age and not have competed as a profession. One winning team from each national tournament will win a trip to the international final, which will be in October in Florida. The location and exact dates are yet to be determined.

Jack Nicklaus Apparel International produces and markets casual and golf apparel for men and women under the Jack Nicklaus®, Nicklaus® and Golden Bear® brands. The brands are available in numerous countries around the world in various distribution channels including stand-alone boutiques, leading department stores, fine resorts and golf clubs, specialty golf retailers and value-oriented retailers.

2008 Jack Nicklaus International Invitational Tournament of Champions Press Release

2008 Tournament of Champions Scoreboard

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