Previously played in Japan and Australia, the Legends Tour Open Championship has been elevated to major status by Tour officials for 2009.

The 36-hole stroke play tournament, which is sanctioned by The Legends Tour, will feature two days of competition, a pro-am, and community outreach programs like children’s and women’s golf clinics.

“Because of the championship venue, a committed field and the support of the local community, we felt it was time to host our tour’s first major tournament,” said Tour CEO Jane Blalock.  “The Legends Tour Open Championship is guaranteed to be the pinnacle event on our calendar, and we look forward to competing at Innisbrook for many years.”

“As a strong supporter of women’s sports, I am thrilled that The Legends Tour will hold its first major championship at Innisbrook” said Sheila C. Johnson, the resort’s owner and CEO of Salamander Hospitality. “The Island Golf Course was the first location renovated under my ownership exactly two years ago, and it provides a beautiful and challenging setting for the legends of the women’s game to compete for a place in history.”

Innisbrook, currently hosts the PGA TOUR’s Transitions Championship event every March at its Copperhead Course. In a previous incarnation, that tournament featured mixed teams of male and female professionals, which proved popular with spectators.

Like Innisbrook’s Island Course was designed by Larry Packard. With tight fairways, 70 feet of elevation changes, intimidating water hazards and abundant bunkers, it is considered by many to be as demanding as the Copperhead Course and has been ranked among the country's top 50 resort courses by Golf Digest.

For more information about the Legends Tour Open Championship, visit www.legendstouropen.com . For more information about Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, visit www.innisbrookgolfresort.com .