May 14, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Fred Bessette, better known as the "Fairway Frenchman" sounded as confident as he ever has Thursday, not only feeling good about his chances this year with the On Tour Championship, but his chances of wearing his first Golden Jacket.

"Je vais gagner le Golden Jacket", said Fred at his home in Holly Springs, NC.  "Life has certainly changed since registering in this year long event.  Playing among golf's elite just pumps me up. I intend to improve each time out to the golf course this season and challenge for first prize."

Fred shot 119 and 126 to start the 2004 season so room for improvement is there.

"I never thought it would be possible to win a golf tournament shooting 100 strokes", said Fred.  "Not until I heard about the On Tour Championship."  The chances of Bessette winning the year long tournament this year are slim and exactly 89:1, but he refused to admit it.

This becomes the first attempt by Fred to win anything resembling golf and definitely his first competitive anything in 20 years.  C'est la vie.  However, there is a possibility that he could can do it.  Things have to fall into place and the stars have to line up, but you can never rule a Bessette out."