The Bruno’s Memorial Classic, held every year at The Greystone Golf and Country Club, was once again a success, organizers say.

A national audience watched as Sammy Rachels pumped his fist into the air after winning the 2002 event.

Rachel’s victory came after an exciting sudden death playoff with fellow PGA tour player Dana Quigley.

The event, which attracts some 35,000 fans every year, has become an Alabama favorite.

The tournament, however, hasn’t gone without national praise.

In a recent article, Sports Illustrated called the Classic the number 1 PGA Senior Stop labeling it a &uot;wildly successful tournament.&uot;

James Dedes, executive director of the Shelby County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, said it’s no mistake that Shelby County officials wish to tie their name to The Classic at every opportunity.

In fact, like every year, Shelby County purchased a full page advertisement in the official Classic program. A move, Dedes said, that seeks to capitalize on the locally held tournament.

&uot;Bruno’s is clearly a unique opportunity,&uot; Dedes said. &uot;The tournament offers national exposure which is fortunate for Shelby County.

&uot;We want to capitalize on that.&uot;

The advertisement, Dedes said, cost about $3,000 but offers a chance to reap thousands of dollars in taxes and also numerous jobs should a large regional or national company choose to make their home in Shelby County.

This year’s program advertisement, written by Dedes and his staff, chose to call attention to the county’s 400-acre Shelby West Corporate Park located along Interstate 65 near the Shelby County Airport.

&uot;If you’re looking for the perfect place to locate your business, you’ll want to investigate our many sites for commerce and industry,&uot; the ad read. &uot;One of our newest projects, Shelby West Corporate Park, is designed to accommodate light manufacturing, distribution and technology companies…We have plenty of sites and plenty of room to grow.&uot;

The advertisement noted Shelby County’s rapid growth, 44.2 percent in the past 10 years, which is the fastest in the Southeast.

&uot;Ultimately the goal of the ad is to get people to pick up and call,&uot; Dedes said. &uot;We point to the quality of life in Shelby County and the opportunity for industrial sites.&uot;

Shelby County Commission Chairman George Dailey also sought to attract a business element to the county. The welcome pages of the Classic program included a statement from Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid, and Hoover Mayor Barbara McCullom, along with remarks from Dailey.

&uot;Shelby County is proud to serve as an integral part of the success of the Classic. And, much like the tournament’s success, Shelby County is being recognized by individuals across the nation as one of the most attractive places to live and work,&uot; he wrote