The Concession Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin, has signed on to be the host venue for the 2012 Big Ten Match Play Championship. The annual tournament is set for Feb. 10-11, 2012 and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

"I am an avid Ohio State fan, and The Concession is honored to be hosting the Big Ten Collegiate Match Play Championship,” said Bruce Cassidy Jr., General Manager of The Concession Golf Club. “The Concession invites golf fans from Sarasota/Bradenton to come see some of the best Division I collegiate golfers tackle the course in match play."

The Concession Golf Club was named “Best New Private Course of 2006” by Golf Digest magazine. It holds one of the highest Course and Slope Ratings by the United States Golf Association. The 7,474-yard par-72 championship layout is set on 520 acres of ruggedly pristine land dotted with massive oaks and majestic pines unique to Florida.

The Concession Golf Club was conceived in commemoration of the 1969 Ryder Cup singles match between Nicklaus and Jacklin, where Nicklaus conceded a putt on the 18th hole to Jacklin rendering the two teams in a 17-17 tie and allowing The United States to retain the Ryder Cup having won it in 1967. The tie was the first in Ryder Cup history. Nicklaus’ gesture, known as “the concession," marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between the two men and inspired one of America’s great golf clubs.

After the NCAA Golf Championship format changed in 2009 to include match play, the Big Ten coaches organized their own match play tournament to help provide their teams with more match play opportunities. When the teams face off in February for the fourth time, two-time defending champion Northwestern will be looking to defend its back-to-back Big Ten titles.

The event is open to the public and tickets are available by calling the Golf Shop at 941-322-1465. For additional information about The Concession Golf Club, visit www.theconcession.com or call 941-322-1922.