ESPN's Chris Berman back again for Pro-Am Shark Shootout

ESPN's Chris Berman is coming back to the Merrill Lynch Shootout.
Berman, who has a residence on Sanibel Island, is returning for the fifth consecutive year and will play in the pro-am on Dec. 10-11 at Tiburon Golf Club.
“When we first asked Chris to play five years ago, he jumped right in and became a big part of our efforts on the local and national level,'' tournament director Taylor Ives said. "As everyone knows, he is very energetic and passionate about everything, and it is nice of him to share his time with us each year for a few days, especially during football season.”
Berman joined ESPN in the fall of 1979, one month after the network’s inception, and during the last quarter century has come to embody ESPN in its dedication to entertaining and informing sports fans everywhere. He has been selected the National Sportscaster of the Year six times, has won seven Emmy Awards and 12 CableACEs.
The Merrill Lynch Shootout will once again feature a modified alternate shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. Golf Channel will televise Friday's coverage and NBC will broadcast the weekend activities.
Entering its 20th year, the Merrill Lynch Shootout was created by Norman to raise awareness and charitable offerings for the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Tickets for the PGA Tour-sanctioned Shootout are on sale now. Orders can be placed in advance by calling 888-66-SHARK or visiting Alf’s Golf Shop in Naples. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the main gate during tournament week. For the latest Merrill Lynch Shootout news and information, please visit the official tournament Website at www.mlshootout.com (source: naples news 12-7-08)