"Gore’s exemption proved the power of the people, or should we say Twee-ple."
/Brian Wacker talks to Jason Gore after his sponsor's exemption campaign via Twitter convinced Northern Trust Open officials to grant the Pepperdine great a spot into this year's event.
“They called me and said I just want you know exemptions aren’t based on Twitter, they’re based on merit and the kind of person you are and for that reason we’re going to grant you the exemption,” Gore, a native of Southern California, said via cell phone. “It means a lot to me. This one is my major.”
Earlier in the week, Gore tweeted, “Just signed up for the @ntrustopen qualifier, but you have NO IDEA how stoked I’d be to get a sponsors invitation! #myhometown #mymajor.”
Sean Martin notes that Jerry West, or whoever wrote his press release quote, did acknowledge the Twitter influence.
Jerry West, the tournament’s executive director, said in a statement, “Jason’s record and his strong local ties to Southern California put him on Northern Trust Corporation’s short list for a sponsor’s exemption since last year. We are all pleased to see that his many fans on Twitter agreed that he is deserving of this exemption. We look forward to seeing all of Jason’s fans, which we are dubbing Gore’s Gallery, at the tournament next month at Riviera.”
Gore responded by tweeting, “THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!! Absolutely AMAZING!!!!!” and “Could not have done it without you all!!!!!”
Gore’s exemption proved the power of the people, or should we say Twee-ple.