OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION HOSTS WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Luxury North Florida Island Resort Hosts U.S. Tennis Association Pro-Circuit Event

AMELIA ISLAND, FL (AUGUST 31, 2012) – The Omni Amelia Island Plantation welcomes tennis enthusiasts to world-renowned tennis complex, Racquet Park, for the Amelia Island Women’s Tennis Championship, presented by Emanon Records, Sept. 23 – 30, 2012.

Rising women’s competitors will contend in the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Pro-Circuit event throughout the week, rounded out with a full calendar of events, listed below:

• Sunday, Sept. 23 – Monday, Sept. 24 – Qualifying rounds
• Tuesday, Sept. 25 – Friday, Sept. 28 – Main draw events
• Saturday, Sept. 29 – Sunday, Sept. 30 – Semi-finals and Finals
• Sunday, Sept. 23 – Wilson Kids’ Day, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Complimentary family-friendly activities, including a free tennis clinic with pro players, boxed dinner and watching the matches on stadium court
• Monday, Sept. 24 – Pro-AM tournament followed by dinner, 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. – For $60, enjoy the Pro-Am match-up, then dinner presented by Ciao Italian Bistro and a private meet and greet with players
• Friday, Sept. 28 – Live local music under the oaks in the Corona Beer Garden, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Start the weekend with live local music, free of charge, featuring musicians Sean McCarthy, Hugh Williams and friends

Qualifying and main draw events are complimentary and open to the public, while the semifinals and finals events are a $10 donation benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“The Omni Amelia Island Plantation has a long-standing heritage of world-class tennis and we’re proud to continue the tradition of hosting USTA events at Racquet Park,” said Scott Colebourne, resort director of tennis. “The results of the Amelia Island Women’s Tennis Championship will give players the opportunity to be ranked in the world – the excitement will be at fever pitch for these young contenders.”

Recognized as the No.2 Tennis Resort on Florida’s East Coast by Tennis Magazine, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation has hosted legends like Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Chris Evert and Maria Sharapova. Professionals from Cliff Drysdale Tennis provide personal instruction and tennis clinics at the 23 Har-Tru® clay court complex.

Nestled on the tip of Northeast Florida’s barrier island, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation rests between the Atlantic Ocean and natural salt marshlands. With 249 guest rooms and multibedroom villas, the resort is rich in recreational opportunities, including 54 holes of championship golf; nine on-property culinary options; a nature-inspired spa; state-of-the-art fitness center with indoor, heated pool; miles of hiking and biking through maritime forests; and 3.5 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches.

For more information the Women’s Tennis Championship at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, call 904-277-5145 or email Director of Tennis, Scott Colebourne at scolebourne@omnihotels.com. Visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com for information on the resort, or call 1-800-The-Omni.

About the Omni Amelia Island Plantation

Beginning a new chapter in its nearly 40-year heritage, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is undergoing an extensive re-imagination project. As Florida’s award-winning island destination, the resort is recognized for offering a upscale resort experience in perfect harmony with nature, rich in recreational activities. The certified Green Lodging Destination is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla. Situated on the 1,350-acres of the Amelia Island Plantation, the property offers three-and-a-half miles of wide, uncrowded beaches; 49,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; 54 holes of championship golf; 23 Har-Tru® tennis courts; award-winning recreation programs; a shopping village with restaurants, boutiques and gift shops as well as the nature-inspired signature spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; nine culinary options ranging from casual to fine dining; kids camps; and numerous activities for adventurers including water sports, horseback riding, walking, hiking and Segway tours. With 249 guest rooms in the oceanfront resort, the Villas of Amelia Island Plantation Resort offer 300 one-, two- and threebedroom villas with ocean, golf or resort views.

Beginning a new chapter in its nearly 40-year heritage, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is undergoing an extensive re-imagination project. As Florida’s award-winning island destination, the resort is recognized for offering a upscale resort experience in perfect harmony with nature, rich in recreational activities. The certified Green Lodging Destination is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla. Situated on the 1,350-acres of the Amelia Island Plantation, the property offers three-and-a-half miles of wide, uncrowded beaches; 49,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; 54 holes of championship golf; 23 Har-Tru® tennis courts; award-winning recreation programs; a shopping village with restaurants, boutiques and gift shops as well as the nature-inspired signature spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; nine culinary options ranging from casual to fine dining; kids camps; and numerous activities for adventurers including water sports, horseback riding, walking, hiking and Segway tours. With 249 guest rooms in the oceanfront resort, the Villas of Amelia Island Plantation Resort offer 300 one-, two- and threebedroom villas with ocean, golf or resort views.

About the USTA Pro Circuit

With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established

professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na, Andy Murray and Mardy Fish are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for establishedprofessionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na, Andy Murray and Mardy Fish are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

For more information on the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, call 1-800-The-Omni or visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com.