2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Crowning The King, a royal Senior history by john rohde
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professional golf tour for seniors was established in 1980, sparked by the stunning success and intrigue of the Legends of Golf event staged the previous two years. The venture was launched as the Senior PGA Tour (1980-2002), was renamed the Champions Tour (2003-2015) and now goes by the PGA Tour Champions. Not coincidentally, the budding senior tour would debut with a magnetic drawing card in legendary Arnold Palmer, who happened to become eligible when he turned 50 on Sept. 10, 1979. Long before the inception of the senior tour, however, the Senior PGA Championship for decades served as the only highprofile tournament for golfers 50-and-older.
Founded in 1937, the first two Senior PGA Championships were held at Au- The inaugural Senior PGA Championship in 1937 won by Jock Hutchison gusta Nation- played at Augusta National Golf Club. Pictured is a 1937 tournament field al Golf Club. photo in the foreground of a PGA Dedication sign. Yes, the same majestic site that in 1934 had staged the jor since 1989). Palmer won seven majors on the PGA first “Augusta National Invitation Tournament,” which soon became known simply Tour, but was unable to complete a career Grand Slam when he failed to win the PGA as the “Masters.” The Senior PGA Championship is the Championship, although he did tie for secoldest of the five major championships in ond three times (including the 1970 chamsenior golf, the others being the U.S. Senior pionship held at Southern Hills and won by Open, the Senior Open Championship Dave Stockton). The formation of the senior tour allowed (informally referred to the Senior British Open), the Senior Players Championship Palmer to soon fill his major void when and The Tradition (a Champions Tour ma- he won the Senior PGA Championship in
GOLF BELLA VISTA Stay. Play. Repeat. REPLAY SPECIAL! Play your second round of golf at any of our golf courses for cart fee only!
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Receipt from first 18 holes and email address required. Replay round must be played on the same day. Expires December 31, 2022
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