Chi Chi's Magic and The Super Seniors Hit The Treasure Coast
Daniel Shube
FORE FLORIDA Magazine
January/February 1998
A brand new tour, the Tour of Champions is staging its inaugural event at beautiful Windsor in Vero Beach. The Tour, created by Chi Chi Rodriquez and his long-time friend Dr. Bill Becker, has been established to rekindle the friendly competition and camaraderie among senior players over sixty. Many of these players have not had the opportunity to play on the Senior PGA Tour. According to Chi Chi, "We retire with a broken heart. We're trying to get together the guys that I looked up to when I was on tour."
True to his word, he has assembled a remarkable group of "Super Seniors". "You can't play on this tour unless you've won a title,; said Chi Chi. This stop will feature: Don Massengale, Bob Goalby, Sam Snead, Dow Finsterwald, Bruce Devlin, Tommy Bolt, Ken Still, Lou Graham, Tommy Jacobs, Bobby Nichols, Miller Barber, John Paul Cain, Doug Sanders, Bob Charles, Mike Souchak, Orville Moody and of course Chi Chi Rodriguez.
Just because they want to have fun, don't believe for a minute that the competition won't be fierce...a $100,000 purse is at stake!
"These guys can do a great job creating interest for the fans," said Chi Chi. Fan involvement will be offered in two ways. You can play in the Pro-Am, which includes a practice round on Friday, January 16. You'll get tournament gifts and attend a country cookout hosted by Outback Steakhouse. You'll play in the event Saturday and Sunday with a Pro, have lunch after golf Saturday, then cocktails and dinner at the Windsor Beach Club. In addition, there will be lunch and awards after golf on Sunday. Or...you can attend as a spectator on Saturday and Sunday. Spectator tickets include an opportunity to win prizes, such as a luxury golf weekend getaway, a set of Cobra irons, a foursome of golf at a nationally ranked South Florida course, and more.
Windsor is a beautiful layout designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. "If you're playing well, you look forward to your next shot" said Jones. He continued, "This course does not defeat you. Players are intrigued by the whole pattern of the shots required, which is much like a 'pure golf' experience. I've played this course and attended tournaments there as well. Windsor is great to play, and makes a beautiful surrounding to spend a day watching awesome golf.
All of the proceeds from the spectator ticket sales go to a great cause - future expansion of Saint Edwards School in Vero Beach. This co-educational, independent day school was founded in 1965. The high quality education provided has necessitated expansion to meet the increasing demand from the Treasure Coast communities it serves.
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