Friday, May 25, 2007
Kiawah's Weapon of Choice Blows Hard
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Many sports have tried, and failed, to extend the shelf lives of their prized athletic commodities by introducing senior events. In most cases success has been moderate at best. It appears few of us enjoy watching our heroes' legacies diluted with the onset of time.
Golf's PGA Champions Tour is a notable exception. Now in its 28th year, the tour offers over $54 million in prize money (at an average of $1.86 million per tournament) and continues to attract the cream of golfing talent upon their 50th birthdays. Generous media coverage and packed grandstands reflect a brand built in part through nostalgia, but largely through the sustained ability of golf's twilight generation to perform remarkable feats.
"The only real difference between older and younger players is focus," said 44-time Champions Tour winner and all-time money leader Hale Irwin. "Sure, there might be a small gap in driving distance, but largely the same skills prevail. What changes is your priorities in life, having a family and not wanting to spend your whole life on the course."
South African Nick Price is making his Champions debut this year following a career on the regular tour that brought 18 victories, including a British Open and two PGA Championships. He believes there are elements of the senior tour that make it superior to its undergrad sibling.
"There is a far higher concentration of top quality players at Senior events than I can ever remember on the regular tour," said Price. "The vibe in the clubhouse is better and it's more enjoyable to be involved with. I am having so much more fun on this tour than I ever did before."
Price made an impressive start to first Champions tour major yesterday, carding a one-under-par 71 in the first round of the Senior PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Gusty conditions made for difficult iron play and saw Brit Tony Jacklin penalized two shots after wind blew his ball from its mark and he returned it before putting.
Argentinean Eduardo Romero held the overnight lead after finishing at four-under-par. Defending champion Jay Haas finished with a highly
respectable even-par 72, while last week's Regents Charity Classic winner Brad Bryant shot 71 to leave him tied for fourth place.
"I played real well out there," said Bryant. "That was some of my best golf of the year and I'm happy with my score. I'm going home for a nice dinner with my wife now — I'll need all the energy I can get for tomorrow if it's windy."