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Clockwise from top – 2020 Tucson Conquistadores at Omni Tucson National Resort; Jack Clements, Nick Buckelew and Aaron Crowley; Cologuard spectators moving to the next tee at Omni Tucson National Resort
Cologuard Classic Brings Back the Fans and the Party You can’t blame Kevin Sutherland for being excited for his return to the 2022 Cologuard Classic in February. After all, Arizona has been very good for the defending champion of the annual golf tournament. “I do love Arizona,” Sutherland said. “The Champions Tour has been very good, winning twice in Phoenix and once in Tucson.” He recalled playing well in Tucson during the regular PGA Tour and now has a victory to show for it in Tucson. He will be back at Omni Tucson National Resort with the hopes of a repeat when the tournament tees off Feb. 25. A week of tournament activities begins on Feb. 21. 58 BizTucson
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Winter 2022
“I enjoy being there and for some reason I play well there,” Sutherland said. “I’m looking forward to it. I always look forward to going to Tucson National.” Sutherland will have to defend his title against 77 of the best senior golfers in the world who will play for a $1.7 million prize pool. There were no major commitments at press time, but among those eligible are Phil Mickelson, former Arizona Wildcat Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, David Duval and Steve Stricker. “These guys are amazing players – and the field is only going to get stronger,” said Brandt Hazen, the Conquistadores’ liaison to the PGA. “Last year was the best we’ve ever
had – including Phil,” said Josh Robinson, this year’s tournament chairman. “There’s a chance he’ll come back to Tucson, which would be wonderful.” What’s important is the Cologuard Classic will return with a golf-clapping crowd that has always made professional golf in Tucson so good. Last year’s event – because of COVID-19 restrictions – limited the crowds and yet the tournament raised more than $600,000 for the kids in Southern Arizona. “We certainly learned a lot from it,” said Robinson. “We learned from an operations standpoint and cost perspective to save some money. Obviously, every penny we save we get to give back to continued on page 60 >>> www.BizTucson.com
PHOTOS: CHRIS MOONEY
By Steve Rivera
