FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              September 25, 2009

OKC ZOO HOSTS ANNUAL GORILLA GOLF TOURNAMENT                                                    

CONTACTS:             

Tara Henson              (405) 425-0219, (405) 919-9038, cell or thenson@okczoo.com

Candice Rennels       (405) 425-0298, (405) 412-6172, cell or crennels@okczoo.com

Esc“ape” from a mundane Monday and hit the greens to support the seventh annual Gorilla Golf Tournament! Join the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) on Monday, October 12 as they host their annual “fun”draiser at Willow Creek Golf and Country Club (6501 South Country Club Drive, Oklahoma City, 73159) and help save our endangered friends. Registration for this four-person scramble begins at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $130 per individual and includes range balls, green fees, cart rentals, a light breakfast and lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the top-three scoring teams as well as the “closest to the gorilla,” longest drive, gold ball special and hole-in-one contests. This year’s tournament will also include the “Super Ticket” option. Available for just $40 at the event, the “Super Ticket” offers great rewards that will benefit and enhance the tournament through drawings and contests.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa. The reserve was exclusively developed and created by the local residents without any financial support from international organizations. Through grants and partnerships, the reserve meets basic community needs by providing clean water, jobs, schools and a clinic for the area. In return, the local residents are willing and able to protect the animals and the habitat of the region. It is estimated the reserve contains approximately 250 gorillas. The large size of the reserve, its grassroots background and its rich and unique biodiversity are reasons its conservation and protection have been given the highest priority.  

Pre-registration is required to play in the Gorilla Golf Tournament. Registration forms are available at the Zoo’s Guest Relations Office and on-line at www.okczoo.com/events. The deadline to register is Friday, September 25.  Corporate teams and sponsorships are welcome! For more information, contact Debi Mangrum or Mary McFarland at (405) 603-4676.  

Make plans to visit the Zoo and see what is so “ape”ealing about Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and the third most family friendly zoo in the nation. Located in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with exhibit buildings closing at 4:45 p.m. Through September, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays only, with exhibit buildings closing at 7:45 p.m.  Zoo admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three-11 and seniors ages 65 and over.  Children two and under are admitted free.  For more information, call the Zoo at (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

-okczoo-