The Ocean course at Kiawah Island offers a sumptuous stage for golfing theatre. This year rated the "toughest" golf course in the U.S. by Golf Digest, Pete Dye's masterpiece is awash with contradictions for the senses, rugged yet pristine, elegant yet brutal, and understated yet strikingly beautiful.
This year it has the honor of bringing a major tournament to South Carolina for the very first time when the 68th Senior PGA Championship rolls into town from May 24-28. Set against Kiawah Island's cinematic vistas, the 156-player field will bring together nine former champions, including homestate hero and 2006 winner Jay Haas.
Also confirmed are a total of 24 major championship winners, boasting a combined haul of 60 majors between them, and every eligible member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team who triumphed at Kiawah in 1991.
The Senior PGA Championship dates back to 1937, making it the oldest and most prestigious event in senior golf. Past champions include Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Trevino. Making their debuts this year will be two players who need little introduction, Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman.
Ballesteros, a five-time major champion and the first European winner at Augusta, turned 50 on April 9 and will make his Champions tour debut at the Regions Charity Classic in Birmingham, Alabamba. The charismatic Spaniard has struggled with arthritis in recent years, but will be hoping to re-ignite a remarkable career at Kiawah.
"Seve is the third member of our 'Class of 2007' to become eligible for our Tour and he continues the momentum started when Nick Price and Mark O'Meara joined us earlier this year," said Champions Tour president Rick George. Both Price and O'Meara are also committed for the Senior PGA.
Australian Norman has only played two senior events since becoming eligible in 2005, the British and U.S. Opens that same year, choosing instead to concentrate on business interests. The 52-year-old, who won the British Open twice in a career that saw him top the world rankings for 331 weeks, now lives in Florida and dedicates most of his time to golf course design.
The inclusion of the Great White Shark speaks volumes for the pull of the tournament itself and the idyllic setting. Tournament director Brett Sterba is confident this year's event, which will enjoy comprehensive live coverage on cable television, will provide riveting viewing.
"This is undoubtedly the strongest field in senior major championship history. Nearly everyone will recognize the names of some of the greatest players in professional golf, including Ben Crenshaw, defending champion Jay Haas, Peter Jacobsen, Tom Kite, Gil Morgan, Gary Player, Nick Price, Loren Roberts, Craig Stadler, Curtis Strange, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Ballesteros, and Norman," he said.
The Ocean Course, also chosen to host the 2012 U.S. PGA Championship, will unveil a new $24 million, 24,000 square-foot clubhouse development at the event.
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