By STEVE MAZZONE
Sports Writer

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wasn’t inspired by the epic battle Rocco Mediate gave Tiger Woods this past weekend at the U.S. Open.

Well, guess what? There's some good news for the local golfing fanatic.

Just a week removed from that classic showdown, Rocco’s coming to Rhode Island.

It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that Mediate has been added to the field of the 10th annual CVS Caremark Charity Classic at R.I. Country Club, to be held on Monday and Tuesday. Mediate earned a slot after Boo Weekley withdrew from the popular tourney because of personal reasons.

For Mediate, it will be his fourth appearance at CVS. In 2003, he teamed with Jeff Sluman to snare the overall title, combining for a 22-under 120 - the second best winning score in the event’s history. Mark Calcavecchia and Nick Price set the course record in 2001, carding a 119.

“We congratulate Rocco for his outstanding performance at the U.S. Open and are pleased to welcome him back to the CVS Caremark Charity Classic,” commented Tournament Chairman Eileen Howard Dunn, in a press release.  “Rocco was a fan favorite during his first appearance in 2003, so we look forward to his return visit to help raise money for the many worthy charities our tournament supports.”

“We are very excited to have him here,” Tournament Director Greg Costello said. “We’re saddened that Boo’s not playing, but happy that Rocco's coming.”

Mediate’s visit next week to the CVS tourney should be unlike his previous three showings. In fact, there’s a good chance he’ll get the same hero-type welcome that legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Gary Player received when they graced the picturesque Barrington course for the annual event.

In what is being described as one of the greatest U.S. Opens in its long history, the 45-year-old Mediate battled Woods for 91 holes at Torrey Pines – a grueling, five-day stretch that included a 19-hole playoff on Monday - before eventually succumbing to the world’s greatest golfers.

Always a fan favorite, Mediate will be teamed with Brandt Snedeker, a four-year professional who will be making his first appearance at CVS. In the first round of the two-day, 36-hole best-ball tournament on Monday, the duo are scheduled to tee off with last year’s winners J.J. Henry and Stewart Cink at 11:10 a.m., in the final pairing among the 10 teams.

In its nine previous years, the CVS event has raised more than $10 million for local charities. Mediate’s new-found fame has a great possibility of increasing participants to the tournament, which last year drew more than 26,000 to the links.

“We hope so,” Costello said. “That’s why we are excited about him coming here. He’s a fan favorite and a very likeable guy.”

As usual, this year’s CVS Classic will start with a Pro-Am on Sunday. The team competition will begin on Monday at 9:30 a.m., with a special introduction as members of the Red Bull Air Force Team will kickoff the event by flying on to the 18th green.

Tickets are still available for the tournament. Admission is $20 for “one-day-only” tickets for Sunday’s Pro-Am and $25 for “good-any-day” tickets for the main event on Monday or Tuesday.  Between now and Saturday, free tickets can be obtained by buying the following CVS products: CVS Picture CD, CVS video one-time-use camera or CVS one-time-use camera. Applications for tickets can be obtained on the tourney’s website at cvscharityclassic.com. Any additional information, dial toll-free 1-866-CVS-9441.