70th SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Official Field Announcement
TWO-TIME BRITISH OPEN CHAMPION GREG NORMAN AMONG 25 MAJOR CHAMPIONS
COMMITTED TO 70th SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT CANTERBURY GOLF CLUB
The full 2009 Senior PGA Championship field now available at www.SeniorPGA2009.com
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – April 14, 2009 – Two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman will headline a legendary 156-player field at the 70th Senior PGA Championship. Norman is among 25 former Major champions who will compete for the prestigious Alfred S. Bourne Trophy at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio, May 19-25.
Former Major champions playing in the 2009 Senior PGA Championship include:
Bob Charles – 1963 British Open
Charles Coody – 1971 Masters
Ben Crenshaw – 1984, ‘95 Masters
Raymond Floyd – 1976 Masters, 1986 U.S. Open, 1969, ‘82 PGA Championship
Wayne Grady – 1990 PGA Championship
Hale Irwin – 1974, ‘79, ‘90 U.S. Open
Tom Kite – 1992 U.S. Open
Bernhard Langer – 1985, ‘93 Masters
Tom Lehman – 1996 British Open
Sandy Lyle – 1985 British Open, 1988 Masters
Larry Mize – 1987 Masters
Greg Norman – 1986, ‘93 British Open
Mark O’Meara – 1998 Masters, 1998 British Open
Jerry Pate – 1976 U.S. Open
Nick Price – 1992, ‘94 PGA Championship, 1994 British Open
Jeff Sluman – 1988 PGA Championship
Craig Stadler – 1982 Masters
Dave Stockton – 1970, ‘76 PGA Championship
Curtis Strange – 1988, ‘89 U.S. Open
Hal Sutton – 1983 PGA Championship
Bob Tway – 1986 PGA Championship
Lanny Wadkins – 1977 PGA Championship
Tom Watson – 1977, ‘81 Masters, 1982 U.S. Open, 1975, ‘77, ‘80, ‘82, ‘83 British Open
Ian Woosnam – 1991 Masters
Fuzzy Zoeller – 1979 Masters, 1984 U.S. Open
“The Senior PGA Championship typically features golf’s most legendary names, but this year’s field is especially distinguished,” said Brett Sterba, Championship Director of the 70th Senior PGA Championship. “In addition to welcoming 25 Major champions, our field includes 13 Ryder Cup Captains and 10 World Golf Hall of Famers.”
Defending champion Jay Haas (2006, 2008) heads a list of 11 past Senior PGA Champions looking to add another win to their already historic resumes. Past Champions include Allen Doyle (1999), Raymond Floyd (1995), Hale Irwin (1996, ‘97, ‘98, 2004), John Jacobs (2003), Larry Mowry (1989), Mike Reid (2005), Tom Wargo (1993), Dennis Watson (2007), Tom Watson (2001) and Fuzzy Zoeller (2002). Zoeller was the last to win the championship when it was contested in Ohio, at Firestone Country Club in Akron.
The 2009 Senior PGA Championship marks the first time many of these golfers will be playing Canterbury’s historic golf course, which will become only the second course in the U.S. to host all five rotating men’s championships. For seven contestants, the Championship is the first time back since the 1979 U.S. Amateur Championship. Most notably, Mark O’Meara and Ohio-native John Cook who faced off in the final match. O’Meara eventually edged out Cook to win.
In addition to Cook, four other Ohio golfers will be competing in this year’s Championship. Thomas Herzan of Findlay, Gary Robison and Jim Logue of Canton, and Cory George of Lancaster all qualified for the Championship by finishing in the top 35 at the 2008 Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
For a full listing of the 156-player field, please visit www.SeniorPGA2009.com.
About the Senior PGA Championship
The Senior PGA Championship is the most prestigious and historic event in senior golf. In 1937, at the suggestion of renowned amateur Bobby Jones, the inaugural Senior PGA Championship was conducted at Augusta National Golf Club three years after the first Masters Tournament. Today, the Championship brings together both the legends of the game and the newest members of the Champions Tour to audiences throughout the United States.
Many of the game’s greatest players have won the Senior PGA Championship’s Alfred S. Bourne Trophy. Some of names inscribed on the trophy include: Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson and Jay Haas.
For more information about the 2009 Senior PGA Championship, visit www.SeniorPGA2009.com.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
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