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NAPLES — The ACE Group Classic issued a press release Monday saying it would announce changes for 2009 today.

The site of the press conference, the Tournament Players Club Treviso Bay, will be one of them. The letterhead on the release also reads “The ACE Group Classic hosted by Peter Jacobsen.’’

Jacobsen, a 54-year-old Champions Tour player who lives in Bonita Springs, has been involved for years in managing golf events. His company, Peter Jacobsen Sports, also has an office in Southwest Florida.

“Golf’s very important to me in my life,’’ Jacobsen said after playing in the Immokalee Foundation’s charity tournament at Bay Colony Golf Club on Monday. “I love to play golf. I don’t care if it’s in a pro-am or it’s in competition. I just enjoy the game. I think my recent health struggles have made me appreciate it even more.

“So for me to be involved in golf down here, whether it’s for the Immokalee Foundation or whether it’s with a Champions Tour event like the ACE Group Classic, is very special.’’

Jacobsen has had a hip replacement, laser spine surgery, and a knee replacement in recent years.

Jacobsen, a former U.S. Senior Open and Senior Players Championship winner, also is one of game’s biggest entertainers.

ACE Group Classic tournament director Jason Camp couldn’t confirm either of the changes for the event, which is Feb. 16-22.

“We’ve got a lot of things exciting things that we can’t wait to get out in the community and the general public,’’ Camp said. “We’ve got a plan in place, and we look forward to announcing everything (today).’’

The new TPC course is not scheduled to open until Dec. 2, and there is not a clubhouse. Last week, the tournament announced it was leaving Quail West Golf & Country Club, its site in 2007 and 2008, because of the financial uncertainty surrounding Quail West developer Ginn Cos. There were two years remaining on its contract.

Even though he is a member of Quail West, 2008 ACE Champion Scott Hoch didn’t learn about the change of venue until a call from the Daily News.

“I’m disappointed it is moving away from Quail West,” Hoch said Monday morning. “But I am sure they made the best decision possible for the tournament.”

“I’m glad Peter stepped up,’’ said Fuzzy Zoeller, a Champions Tour player and Naples National Golf Club member. “All of the players enjoy playing. They always have a great tournament, a good following down here.’’

The first nine of the TPC Treviso Bay course, which was designed by Arthur Hills and Champions Tour player Hal Sutton, opened in April. The clubhouse is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010.

“We’ve played many tournaments over my 32 years ... that don’t either have a clubhouse or they don’t let us in the clubhouse,’’ Jacobsen said. “Actually, building a temporary facility almost works better, because you’re actually building the facility that you want.’’

“I imagine it will be an inconvenience but we have played in regular tour events where there wasn’t a clubhouse,” Hoch said.

“Hey, what the heck, as long as there’s a tournament, who cares?’’ said Champions Tour player and part-time Tiburon resident Wayne Levi.

As for playing a new course instead of Quail West, Hoch once again said he was disappointed but said this makes it a level playing field.

“It’s going to be new to everyone,” Hoch said. “Besides the tournament, I had only ever played 18 holes at Quail West, so there wasn’t really an advantage for me just because I own a home there.”

Hoch made an 8-foot birdie on both the final hole of regulation and the first hole of a four-way playoff to win the 2008 ACE in its second year at Quail West.

Staff writer Tom Hanson contributed to this article.

Posted earlier:

ACE Group Classic tournament director Jason Camp and Champions Tour professional Peter Jacobsen will be announcing important changes for the 2009 ACE Group Classic on Tuesday at a press conference at TPC Treviso Bay.

The new TPC course is not scheduled to open until Dec. 2, and there is not a clubhouse. Last week, the tournament announced it was leaving Quail West Golf & Country Club, its site in 2007 and 2008, because of the financial uncertainty surrounding Quail West developer Ginn Cos. There were two years remaining on its contract.

Jacobsen confirmed Monday that the 2009 event will be played at Treviso Bay.

"We've got a lot of things exciting things that we can't wait to get out in the community and the general public,'' Camp said. "We've got a plan in place, and we look forward to announcing everything tomorrow.''

Even though he is a member of Quail West, 2008 ACE Champion Scott Hoch didn’t learn about the change of venue until a call from the Daily News.

“I’m disappointed it is moving away from Quail West,” Hoch said Monday morning. “But I am sure they made the best decision possible for the tournament.”

The TPC Treviso Bay course, which was designed by Arthur Hills and Champions Tour player Hal Sutton, isn’t set to be completed until the first week in December. The players however will not have the luxury of a clubhouse, which hasn’t been built.

“I imagine it will be an inconvenience but we have played in regular tour events where there wasn’t a clubhouse,” Hoch said.

As for playing a new course instead of Quail West, Hoch once again said he was disappointed but said this makes it a level playing field.

“It’s going to be new to everyone,” Hoch said. “Besides the tournament, I had only ever played 18 holes at Quail West, so there wasn’t really an advantage for me just because I own a home there.”

Hoch made an 8-foot birdie on both the final hole of regulation and the first hole of a four-way playoff to win the 2008 ACE in its second year at Quail West.