age for seniors golf tour

What Age For Senior PGA Tour? [Can Tiger Play?]

The great thing about golf is you can play it basically your whole life.

And when it comes to pro golf, the PGA Tour Champions is an example of the older generation of tour players that still has an incredible golf game and can compete week in and week out.

But what sort of age do you have to be, before you can start competing in Champions Tour events? Let’s have a look.

What Age For the Senior PGA Tour?

Table of Contents

PGA Tour Champions Age

To become a Champions Tour member, a player needs to be aged 50 or over to meet the senior PGA age requirements.

Senior golfers looking to play in the various events on the PGA Tour Champions have to wait until they reach their 50th birthday before they can decide whether or not to play.

As soon as they turn 50 years old, they become eligible to compete on the Champions Tour and can start playing.

There’s no senior PGA age limit, provided a golfer is good enough to compete and over the age of 50, they’re allowed to play on the tour.

The best players, who may still be PGA Tour players, will almost certainly be guaranteed a spot in tournaments held. They can most likely play on the Champions Tour and go back to the PGA Tour for a specific tournament.

For players not on the PGA Tour currently, it’s likely they will have to go through a qualifying tournament.

Golfers who reach the age of 50 are still eligible to play in PGA Tour events alongside PGA Tour Champions tournaments.

Tom Watson who was playing on the PGA Tour Champions at the time, came close to winning The Open Championship back in 2009 at the age of 59, just losing out in a playoff to Stewart Cink.

If he had won, he’d have become the oldest winner on the PGA Tour and the oldest player to win a major championship.

Legends Tour Age

To compete on the Legends Tour, also known as the European Senior Tour, golfers also have to reach the age of 50 .

The Legends Tour is part of the PGA European Tour and hosts the best golfers in Europe aged 50 and over.

The Legends Tour includes some of the best golfers to have played the game, including former World Number One and Major winners.

Oldest Winner On PGA Tour Champions

The oldest player ever to win on the PGA Tour Champions is Bernhard Langer when he won the 2023 Chubb Classic at the age of 65 years, 5 months and 23 days.

This beat his previously set record of 65 years, 2 months and 10 days in 2022.

Bernhard Langer currently holds the record for the highest amount of PGA Tour Champions victories alongside Hale Irwin, winning a total of 45 times.

Final Thoughts

Golfers that are good enough to still compete at a high level can find great success on professional senior golf tours.

Whether it’s just two tournaments a year or a full calendar, the PGA Tour Champions and the Legends Tour are ideal for top players that meet the senior PGA age requirements of 50 and over to make a really good living and compete against some of the greatest players of all time.

How old do you have to be to play on the senior PGA Tour?

The PGA senior tour age limit is for golfers aged 50 and over. Once tour pros turn 50 years old, they become eligible to play on either the PGA Tour Champions or the Legends Tour in Europe.

What is the oldest you can be in the PGA?

There is no age limit for the PGA Tour. If you’re good enough to compete with the top players, it doesn’t matter what your age is. However, most golfers once they reach the age of 50 will decide to play on the Champions Tour.

Is Tiger Woods eligible for the senior tour?

Currently, Tiger Woods isn’t able to play on the PGA Tour Champions. Once he turns 50 years old, he’ll be eligible to compete on the tour.

Is there an age limit for senior PGA Tour?

Yes, golfers looking to compete on the senior tour need to be aged 50 or over. A golfer becomes eligible for the tour on their 50th birthday.

What is the senior tour age requirement?

The age requirement for the senior tours is 50. Once a golfer turns 50, they can compete on either the PGA Tour Champions or the Legends Tour.

Is there a senior PGA Tour age limit?

The senior PGA Tour has a minimum age limit of 50, where any player aged 50 or over can try and compete on the tour.

Founder, Editor

Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.

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How old is senior pga tour.

Learn what the age requirement for the senior PGA tour is, and the eligibility requirements that senior golfers must meet.

With the increasing popularity of senior golfing, senior golfers can participate in the Senior PGA championship. The Senior PGA is among the oldest championships in men's senior golf, and it is recognized as a major championship by PGA Tour Champions and the European Senior Tour. To participate in the senior PGA Tour, you must meet certain age requirements.

To participate in the Senior PGA Tour, a player must be at least age 50 or older. Senior golfers who want to play in the various PGA Tour events must wait until their 50 th birthday to participate in the Champions Tour. There is no upper age limit to participate as long as a player is good enough to play and over age 50.

What is the senior PGA championship?

The Senior PGA Championship is one of the major championships in men’s senior golf, and it is managed by the Professional Golfers Association of America . This championship is open to senior golfers aged 50 or older. The Senior PGA Championship was founded in 1937, and it was the only high-profile tournament for golfers over age 50.

The idea of a senior tour was conceptualized in 1978 after the Legends of Gold competition that featured two-member teams of some of the best older golfers at that time. The tour was formally established in 1980, and it was named the Senior PGA tour until 2002 when it was renamed Champions Tour until the 2015 season. The current name “PGA Tour Champions” was formally adopted after the 2015 season.

PGA Tour Champions Age

The age limit for PGA Tour Champions for senior golfers is age 50 and over. Golfers must be at least age 50 or older on the first day of the championships to be eligible to play in the PGA Tour Champions. This age limit allows PGA tour players who have reached age 50 to continue playing at the senior level.

Senior golfers who reach age 50 will still be eligible to pay in the PGA Tour alongside the PGA Tour Champions. There is no upper age limit for senior golfers, and you can compete with the top players if you are good enough to play.

Legends Tour Age

The Legends Tour is also known as the European Senior Tour. To play in the Legends Tour, players must have reached age 50 and over. The Legends Tour is part of the PGA European Tour alongside the European Challenge Tour and DP World Tour , and it is open to the best golfers in Europe who are at least age 50 and over and want to continue competing at a high level in professional golf tournaments.

The Legends Tour was established in 1992, five years after the first Senior Open in 1987. In 2017, the tour was rebranded to Staysure Tour, after the headline sponsor of the tour, Staysure Travel Insurance. In 2020, the tour was renamed to the Legends Tour after a joint venture between the European Tour Group and Staysure Founder and CEO, Ryan Howsam, who also plays in the tours as an amateur.

Eligibility for the senior PGA tour?

To play in the PGA senior tour, you must have reached age 50 and over, or 49 and turning 50 by June 1 st of the tournament year. You can apply to participate in the tour by obtaining the qualifying application from the Champions Tour website .

Additionally, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate to prove your age, results from two tournaments held in the previous year, and two letters of reference from a Champions Tour member or a Class A PGA pro.

How to Qualify for the Senior PGA Tour

To play in the senior PGA tour, players must pass a tough qualifying process. Here are the stages you will need to go through:

Regional qualifying stage

Qualifying for the Champions Tour starts at several regional sites across the United States. 78 golfers compete in each 72-hole tournament. Successful regional participants who move to the final qualifying round are announced at the Regional Qualifying Stage. 

Final qualifying stage

Successful regional participants and exempt players compete in the final qualifying stage. Exempt players are those golfers who were exempt from regional play based on their previous success on the Champions Tour, the European Senior Tour, and Japan's senior tour. 78 golfers who reach the final qualifying stage participate in a 4-day 72-hole tournament.

The top five players in the final earn a Senior PGA Tour card that fully exempts them from the Champions Tour, while the other 7 finishers (6 th to 12 th place) earn conditional exemptions, and they are allowed to play in Champions Tour events on a space-availability basis.

Event Qualification

The top 30 finishers at the final qualifying stage will be eligible to play in the 18-hole qualifier that is scheduled before each Champions Tour event. Amateurs who are at least age 50 and over can enter the PGA Tour Champions event’s pre-qualifier. Popular golfers may also get a sponsorship exemption for a specific tournament, where a sponsor of the golfer gives entry to the tournament. 

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What Age For Senior PGA Tour? [Can Tiger Play?]

As golfers reach a certain age and their playing careers on the PGA Tour come to an end, many wonder when they will become eligible to compete on the Senior PGA Tour, also known as the Champions Tour and what is the age for senior PGA tour. The transition from the PGA Tour to the Senior PGA Tour is a significant milestone in a golfer’s career, and understanding the eligibility requirements is crucial for those looking to continue playing at the highest level.

Golfer Eligibility for the Senior PGA Tour

Age for senior pga tour.

The most fundamental eligibility requirement to play on the Senior PGA Tour is reaching a certain age. In general, golfers must turn 50 years old before they are eligible to compete in Champions Tour events. This age for senior golf tour requirement ensures that players have had a substantial career on the PGA Tour and are now ready to transition to the senior circuit.

Playing on the Champions Tour

Transitioning from the pga tour.

For many professional golfers, playing on the PGA Tour is the pinnacle of their career. However, as they age and their skills start to decline, they often look to transition to the Champions Tour to continue competing against their peers. This transition can be both exciting and challenging, as the level of competition remains high on the senior circuit.

Champions Tour Membership

Obtaining membership on the Champions Tour is another requirement for golfers who want to play regularly on the senior circuit. To become a member, golfers must go through a qualifying process that includes playing in certain tournaments and earning enough money to secure their membership. Once a golfer becomes a member, they have the opportunity to compete in various Champions Tour events throughout the season.

Tiger Woods and the Senior PGA Tour

Tiger woods’ eligibility.

One of the most prominent names in golf, Tiger Woods, has yet to reach the age of eligibility for the Senior PGA Tour. As of now, Woods is still actively playing on the PGA Tour and hasn’t turned 50. However, many speculate about his future on the Champions Tour and how his presence would impact the senior circuit.

Speculations on Tiger Woods’ Future

Given Tiger Woods’ incredible career and his impact on the sport of golf, there is significant interest in seeing him compete on the Champions Tour. Woods has mentioned in interviews that he looks forward to playing on the senior circuit once he becomes eligible. Golf fans and experts alike eagerly anticipate the day when Woods transitions to the Senior PGA Tour and continues to showcase his skills on a different stage.

Champions Tour Regulations

Usage of golf carts.

The Champions Tour allows golfers to use a cart during tournaments, which is not typically allowed on the PGA Tour. This regulation acknowledges the physical demands that come with age and offers golfers the opportunity to conserve energy and focus on their game. The use of golf carts on the Champions Tour has been well-received by players and has contributed to the increased popularity of the senior circuit.

Compliance with USGA Rules

While the Champions Tour may have different regulations when it comes to the usage of golf carts, it still requires players to comply with the rules set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This ensures fair play and maintains the integrity of the game. Golfers competing on the senior circuit must adhere to the same rules and regulations that govern other professional golf tours.

Read out the Details on PGA TOUR’s eligibility adjustments for 2024

Upcoming Events on the Senior PGA Tour

Here is a list of upcoming events on the Senior PGA Tour, as of September 22, 2023:

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

The PURE Insurance Championship is the next event on the Senior PGA Tour schedule, and it will be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California. The tournament field will include some of the biggest names in senior golf, such as Bernhard Langer, Steve Stricker, and Ernie Els.

The PURE Insurance Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the Senior PGA Tour, and it is always a competitive tournament. The winner of the event will receive a $2.3 million purse. Read more about how many player can play PGA tour .

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Last updated: Sep 27, 2023

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How Do You Qualify For Champions Golf Tour?

The PGA Tour Champions is highly competitive and exclusive. In order to qualify, golfers must satisfy the following criteria:

• There are 78 total spots in the Tour
• Golfers must be 50 years or older
• Golfers must play in regional qualifier unless otherwise exempt
• Golfers must pay a $3,000 application fee

The PGA Tour Champions is a professional golf tour for senior golfers. Many of the greatest golfers of all time have played on this tour, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.  To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, one must either be a professional PGA Golfer or a highly skilled amateur golfer who receives an exemption.

Champions Tour Eligibility

Those looking to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions must be at least 50 years of age, or 49 and turning 50 before June 1st of that year. They also must apply online and pay a fee of $3,000. With the application, at least two letters of reference from a Class A PGA Pro or Champions Tour member are required. You are also required to show a copy of your birth certificate and results from two tournaments held in the last year. 

Amateurs who meet the age criteria can enter the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament. An amateur who finishes among the top 30 at this event must forfeit their status as an amateur to play in the PGA Tour Event Champions Qualifier. When you are in the top 12 of the qualifying stage, the top five will be fully exempt, and the next seven will be reserved and will be able to compete in Champions Tour events on a space-available basis.

Golfers can also earn a sponsorship exemption for a specific tournament, in which a sponsor of the golfer grants entry to the tournament. These exemptions are typically reserved for more popular golfers, as granting them entry will help the tournament’s overall brand.

How old do you need to be to qualify for the Champions Tour?

To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, you must be at least 50 years old.  You can also qualify for the Champions Tour if you are 49 turning 50 by June 1st of that year. The Champions Tour is reserved for senior golf players that have aged out of the PGA Tour. However, golfers over the age of 50 are still eligible to play in PGA Tour events.

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How Old Do You Need to Be to Play on the Senior Golf Tour?

How Old For Senior Golf Tour?

The Senior PGA Tour is a professional golf tour for men who are 50 years of age or older. It is one of the most prestigious tours in golf, and it features some of the best players in the world. But how old do you have to be to play on the Senior PGA Tour?

In this article, we will take a look at the eligibility requirements for the Senior PGA Tour, and we will discuss some of the benefits of playing on the tour. We will also provide some tips for golfers who are considering a career on the Senior PGA Tour.

So, if you’re wondering how old you have to be to play on the Senior PGA Tour, read on!

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The Senior Golf Tour

History of the Senior Golf Tour

The Senior Golf Tour (now known as the PGA Tour Champions) was founded in 1980 by a group of professional golfers who were 50 years of age or older. The tour’s goal was to provide a competitive outlet for older golfers who were no longer eligible to compete on the PGA Tour.

The inaugural Senior Golf Tour event was held at the Desert Inn Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament was won by Arnold Palmer, who was 53 years old at the time.

The Senior Golf Tour quickly became a popular destination for older golfers. In its first year, the tour attracted over 100 players and generated over $1 million in prize money.

The tour has continued to grow in popularity in the years since its inception. In 2023, the tour will feature a total of 29 events, with prize money totaling over $60 million.

Eligibility requirements for the Senior Golf Tour

To be eligible to compete on the Senior Golf Tour, a player must be 50 years of age or older on the first day of the tournament. Players must also have a minimum of 20 years of professional golf experience.

The Senior Golf Tour does not have any other eligibility requirements. Players of any nationality are eligible to compete on the tour.

Notable players on the Senior Golf Tour

The Senior Golf Tour has featured some of the greatest golfers of all time. Some of the most notable players on the tour include:

• Arnold Palmer
• Jack Nicklaus
• Gary Player
• Lee Trevino
• Phil Mickelson
• Vijay Singh
• Bernhard Langer

These players have won a combined total of 108 major championships on the PGA Tour. They have also won a combined total of 121 tournaments on the Senior Golf Tour.

The Senior Golf Tour’s Impact on the Game of Golf

The Senior Golf Tour has had a significant impact on the game of golf. The tour has provided a competitive outlet for older golfers, and it has also helped to increase the visibility of the game of golf.

The tour has also helped to increase the financial rewards for golfers. In its early years, the Senior Golf Tour offered relatively small prize purses. However, in recent years, the tour has significantly increased its prize money. In 2023, the tour will offer a total of $60 million in prize money.

The Senior Golf Tour has also helped to attract new fans to the game of golf. The tour’s tournaments are often held at prestigious golf courses, and they feature some of the greatest golfers of all time. This has helped to make the Senior Golf Tour a popular destination for golf fans of all ages.

the Senior Golf Tour has had a significant impact on the game of golf. The tour has provided a competitive outlet for older golfers, it has increased the visibility of the game of golf, and it has increased the financial rewards for golfers. The Senior Golf Tour is a major force in the world of golf, and it is likely to continue to be a popular destination for golfers of all ages for many years to come.

The Senior Golf Tour is a great option for older golfers who are looking for a competitive outlet. The tour offers a variety of events, with prize purses that are comparable to those on the PGA Tour. The tour also features some of the greatest golfers of all time, which makes it a great way to see some of the legends of the game in action.

The Future of the Senior Golf Tour

The Senior Golf Tour has been around for over 30 years, and it has seen a great deal of growth in that time. In 1980, there were only 12 events on the tour, and the total purse was $1 million. Today, there are over 40 events on the tour, and the total purse is over $60 million.

The growth of the Senior Golf Tour has been driven by a number of factors, including the increasing number of retired golfers, the growing popularity of golf among older adults, and the increased media coverage of the tour.

The Senior Golf Tour has a number of advantages over the PGA Tour. For retired golfers, the Senior Golf Tour offers a more relaxed atmosphere and a lower level of competition. The tour also offers a higher level of prize money than most other senior golf tours.

However, the Senior Golf Tour also faces a number of challenges. The most significant challenge is the aging of the player base. As the average age of golfers on the tour continues to increase, it will become increasingly difficult to attract new players.

Another challenge facing the Senior Golf Tour is the competition from other senior golf tours. In recent years, a number of new senior golf tours have been launched, and this has led to a fragmentation of the senior golf market.

Despite these challenges, the Senior Golf Tour is still a major force in the world of golf. The tour continues to grow in popularity, and it is likely to remain a major part of the golf landscape for many years to come.

Challenges facing the Senior Golf Tour

The Senior Golf Tour faces a number of challenges, including:

• The aging of the player base: The average age of golfers on the Senior Golf Tour is over 50, and this is expected to continue to increase in the years to come. This could make it difficult to attract new players to the tour.
• Competition from other senior golf tours: In recent years, a number of new senior golf tours have been launched, which has led to a fragmentation of the senior golf market. This could make it difficult for the Senior Golf Tour to maintain its share of the market.
• Financial challenges: The Senior Golf Tour is not as financially well-off as the PGA Tour, and this could make it difficult to attract top players to the tour.
• Media coverage: The Senior Golf Tour does not receive as much media coverage as the PGA Tour, which could make it difficult to attract new fans to the tour.

Potential solutions to challenges facing the Senior Golf Tour

The Senior Golf Tour can address the challenges it faces by taking the following steps:

• Target younger players: The Senior Golf Tour could try to attract younger players by offering more flexible tour schedules and lower entry fees.
• Partner with other senior golf tours: The Senior Golf Tour could partner with other senior golf tours to create a more unified and attractive product for golfers.
• Increase financial support: The Senior Golf Tour could increase its financial support by working with sponsors and broadcasters.
• Improve media coverage: The Senior Golf Tour could improve its media coverage by working with broadcasters and journalists.

By taking these steps, the Senior Golf Tour can address the challenges it faces and continue to grow in popularity.

FAQs About the Senior Golf Tour

• What is the age limit for the Senior Golf Tour? The age limit for the Senior Golf Tour is 50.
• How do I qualify for the Senior Golf Tour? To qualify for the Senior Golf Tour, you must have played on the PGA Tour for at least 10 years and be at least 50 years old. You can also qualify by winning a major championship on the PGA Tour or the Champions Tour.
• What are the benefits of playing on the Senior Golf Tour? The benefits of playing on the Senior Golf Tour include:
• A chance to compete against the best senior golfers in the world
• A higher level of prize money than most other senior golf tours
• A more relaxed atmosphere and a lower level of competition
• Is the Senior Golf Tour televised? Yes, the Senior Golf Tour is televised on a variety of networks, including Golf Channel, NBC, and CBS.

The Senior Golf Tour is a major force in the world of golf. The tour offers a more relaxed atmosphere and a lower level of competition than the PGA Tour, and it is a popular destination for retired golfers. The tour faces a number of challenges, including the aging of the player base and competition from other senior golf tours. However, the tour is taking steps to address these challenges, and it is

How old do you have to be to play on the Senior PGA Tour?

To be eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour, you must be at least 50 years old.

What are the other eligibility requirements for the Senior PGA Tour?

In addition to being at least 50 years old, you must also have a minimum of 15 years of professional golf experience. You must also have a minimum of 15 Official World Golf Ranking points.

What are the benefits of playing on the Senior PGA Tour?

There are many benefits to playing on the Senior PGA Tour, including:

• The opportunity to compete against some of the best golfers in the world
• The chance to win a major championship
• The opportunity to earn a substantial prize purse
• The opportunity to travel the world and play some of the most prestigious golf courses

What are the challenges of playing on the Senior PGA Tour?

There are also some challenges to playing on the Senior PGA Tour, including:

• The physical demands of the game can be greater for older golfers
• The mental demands of the game can be greater for older golfers
• The competition can be fierce

Is the Senior PGA Tour a good option for older golfers?

The Senior PGA Tour can be a great option for older golfers who are looking for a challenging and rewarding way to continue their golfing careers. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges of the tour before making a decision to join.

What are some other options for older golfers who want to continue playing golf?

There are a number of other options for older golfers who want to continue playing golf, including:

• Playing in local tournaments
• Joining a golf club
• Taking lessons from a professional
• Playing in senior amateur tournaments

How can I learn more about the Senior PGA Tour?

You can learn more about the Senior PGA Tour by visiting the tour’s website at www.pgatour.com/seniortour. You can also follow the tour on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for the latest news and updates.

the age requirement to play on the Senior PGA Tour is 50 years old. This is a relatively recent change, as the tour was originally open to golfers of all ages. However, the change was made in order to create a more competitive environment for older golfers and to help attract new fans to the sport.

The Senior PGA Tour has been a major success since its inception, and it has helped to prolong the careers of many great golfers. It has also provided a platform for older golfers to compete at the highest level and to inspire others to take up the game.

If you are a golfer who is over the age of 50, the Senior PGA Tour is a great opportunity to continue your golfing career and to compete against some of the best players in the world. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start playing!

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PGA TOUR Champions 2024 Schedule + Tournament Details

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Table of Contents

The PGA Tour Champions starts in January with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and concludes in November with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

The PGA senior tour schedule 2024 provides every tournament’s details, venue information, purse, and past winners. Bettors will want to follow this guide closely to gain inside information on the course and players to watch .

PGA Tour Champions Schedule 2024

Pga tour champions tournament details, mitsubishi electric championship.

Tournament History

Originally named the MONY Tournament of Champions, the event was played in California, Mexico, and Puerto Rico before finding a stable home in Hawaii. The inaugural tournament took off in 1984 when Orville Moody claimed a 7-stroke win over Dan Sikes.

Since then, the name has changed on eight occasions, with the current title sponsor, Mitsubishi, the longest-serving partner. The lush fairway and ocean backdrop of Haualalai golf club has been on the Senior PGA Tour schedule since 2006.

The Kona-based golf course is a par 72 design and measures 7,117 yards off the back tees on an average day.

⛳️ Fun Fact: When Senior Golf Source polled the PGA Tour Champions caddies, this was their favorite location, with Pebble Beach in a close second.

Chubb Classic

The Chubb Classic debuted in 1988 as the Aetna Challenge and was played at The Club at Pelican Bay until 1990. Gary Player , a fellow citizen of South Africa (like me), won the 1988 edition. And another compatriot, Harold Henning, finished second in the 1989 vintage, two strokes behind Gene Littler.

The tournament has featured at 12 golf courses since its inception, with the latest change in 2021. The organizers switched the venue to the Tiburon Black Course, designed by Australian Greg Norman. The Tiburon Black course is a par 72 layout reaching 6,945 yards off the back tees.

Our team particularly loves this course in Naples because of its idyllic location near beaches and plenty of sunshine in southwest Florida. However, be prepared; the Ritz Carlton is on the property, and staying here tends to come at a hefty price.

Trophy Hassan II

The Trophy Hassan II tournament is older than the PGA Tour Champions itself. The first event teed off in 1971, called the Moroccan Grand Prix, which saw Orville Moody defeat Jerry Heard by 2 strokes.

Prince Moulay Rachid hosts the event in honor of his father, Hassan II, and it is played at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The tournament was removed from the schedule between 1986 to 1990 but returned in 1991 when Vijay Singh defeated the late Payne Stewart in a playoff.

The Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is situated on a 440-hectare estate, winding through cork oak forests, and is littered with lakes and bunkers.

Cologuard Classic

The Cologuard Classic is the third event on the annual calendar and is one of the newest editions of the Tour. It was launched in 2015 at the Omni Tucson National in Arizona as the Tuscon Conquistadores Classic. The name changed to its current form in 2018.

Marco Dawson is the first name on the silverware after bagging the inaugural title in 2015 by 2 strokes over Barty Bryant. The Omni Tucson National reaches 7,328 yards off the back tees with a total par rating of 73.

Hoag Classic

The first tee shot in the Hoag Classic was struck in 1995, but back then was known as the Toshiba Senior Classic. The name remained in 2005 when “senior” was dropped from the title and became the Toshiba Classic. Toshiba continued as the title sponsor until 2018 when Hoag took over.

The William F. Bell designed Newport Beach Country Club is the host golf course and has set the stage for several fierce battles since its inception. Bob Murphy and Jay Sigel entered the record books in 1997 when the duo went 9 holes in a playoff before the winner was decided.

Newport Country Club is a par 72 golf course which is not as long as some on tour, measuring 6618 yards off the Championship tees.

The Galleri Classic

The Galleri Classic entered the Tour Champions fray in 2023, holding its first outing at the Dinah Shore course at the Mission Hills Country Club, Coachella Valley, California. The Par 72 golf course played 7,112 yards for the Galleri on average.

David Toms surged to victory in the inaugural version of this tournament played in 2023, beating Steven Alker by 4 shots.

Invited Celebrity Classic

Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, hosted the ClubCorp Classic in 2022, adding a new event to the Tour schedule. The event name changed to the Invited Celebrity Classic after the company rebranding in 2022.

The course measures 6973 yards off the black tees, and 71 is a par score. Scott Parel from Michigan was the first to get his hands on the trophy in the 2022 edition. Mark Hensby from Australia took the second iteration of the event in 2023 with a 54-hole score of 12 under par.

Mitsubishi Electric Classic

The PGA Tour Champions made the Mitsubishi Electric Classic a reality in 2013. However, its original title was the Greater Gwinnett Championship. Bernhard Langer won the inaugural event in 2013 by 3 strokes over Tom Lehman and Tom Pernice Jr.

TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia, has put on the spectacle since it teed off over a decade ago. The 27-hole facility was designed by “The Great White Shark,” Greg Norman. The Stables/ Meadows are the usual combination for tournament events, but it may change depending on the years.

The Meadows and Stables 18-hole combination totals 7322 yards off the back tees and is a par 72 layout.

Insperity Invitational

The Insperity Invitational has cemented its place as a mainstay on the annual sporting calendar in Houston. It started in 2004 as the Administaff Small Business Classic and immediately entertained us. Larry Nelson crawled his way back from 7 shots down to force a playoff with Hale Irwin.

Nelson bagged the title, and the tournament holds firm two decades on. Since Administaff changed their name in 2008, the event is now the Insperity Invitational. It was initially played at Augusta Pines, Texas, but is now hosted by The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course.

The par 72 Tournament Course at Woodlands Country Club extends 7025 yards off the back tee. John Daly set the par 3 16th alight in the 1994 Shell Houston Open when he pured a 6 iron off the tee and drained the shot for a memorable ace.

Principal Charity Classic

The Principal Charity Classic resumes regulation tour play in June after back-to-back Majors in May. Des Moines, Iowa, has welcomed professionals with open arms since the event commenced in 2001 as the Allianz Championship.

Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines hosted the inaugural showing of the Principal Charity Classic. It moved twice between 2001 and 2012 before finding solace at the Wakonda Club, which has held the Classic since 2013. Wakonda totals 6,847 yards off the back tees and is a par 72. 

Jim Thorpe won the first-ever Principal Charity Classic beating Gil Morgan by 2 strokes in 2001. Jay Haas has lifted the trophy three times, more than any of his peers.

American Family Insurance Championship

Tour Champions professionals stay in the midwest for the American Family Insurance Championship played at University Ridge Golf Club, Madison, Wisconsin. Steve Stricker is the tournament host, and 78 of the tour’s best players are penciled in on the tee sheet.

The Championship was born in 2016, and Kirk Triplett claimed a 2 shot victory over Bart Bryant and Mike Goodes. University Ridge is a par 72 Robert Trent Jones Jr design and is slightly lengthy for senior tour pros, stretching 7,259 yards. 

The front nine is relatively open, while the back nine is lined with trees and demands course management from tee to green.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

After a stint in the midwest, the tour heads east to Upstate New York, where the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open awaits. En-Joie has gracefully hosted the event since its inception in 2007, where R.W. Eaks triumphed over Bruce Vaughan by 3 strokes.

En-Joie is a 7,030-yard track off the back tees, and 72 is a par score for the round. The course was originally designed and built by local businessman George F. Johnson, but upgrades were made in 1998 and 1999. The greens transformed from flat round greens into challenging large and undulated dance floors.

We particularly “enjoy” the En-Joie course for its local, friendly vibe and beautiful rolling hills. While it’s not nearly as polished as most of the courses on this tour, we found it to be one of the best for spectators, with free tickets and giveaways.

Boeing Classic

The Boeing Classic has become a permanent fixture on the PGA Tour Champions and Seattle sporting calendar. 2005 saw the first tee shot struck in the tournament when it was the Boeing Greater Seattle Classic.

David Eger claimed the inaugural trophy winning by 3 strokes over Tom Kite. However, in 2007, fans were treated to the largest contingent of players in a Tour Champions playoff. Seven players ended the tournament on 9 under par. Zimbabwean Denis Watson would eventually steal the show as he drained an eagle putt on the second playoff hole to bag the crown.

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Club at Snoqualmie Ridge has hosted the tournament since it launched, frequently challenging the Pros. The 7,264-yard layout with a par score of 72 suits long hitters given its wide fairways. It also treats you to spectacular mountain and water vistas.

Shaw Charity Classic

The Tour makes its way north to Calgary, Canada, in mid-August for the Shaw Charity Classic, a mainstay on the schedule since 2013. Although the course plays a par 72 for amateurs, they corrected the rating to a par 70 for the Shaw Charity Classic.

Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club has welcomed the tour since 2013, measuring 7,158 yards from the black tees. In addition, the course sits at 3,590 feet above sea level, adding extra yards to each shot. Rocco Mediate lifted the first trophy in 2013, obliterating the field by 7 strokes.

The Ally Challenge

Grand Blanc Township in Michigan is the venue for the Ally Challenge, one of the newer events on tour. The PGA Tour Champions arrived at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in 2018 when Paul Broadhurst became the first champion.

The 7,112-yard golf course is a par 72 layout designed by Joe Lee and is relatively long for senior tour players, and is lined with trees. This demands a combination of driving distance, fairways, and greens in regulation.

Ascension Charity Classic

The Ascension Charity Classic is another tournament in its infancy on tour. It teed off for the first time in 2021 when David Toms beat Dicky Pride in a playoff. The St Louis-based Norwood Hills has hosted the first two Ascension Charity Classics on their West course, which is no stranger to tournament golf.

Norwood Hills plays 6,992 yards, and 71 is considered a par score. The fairways are lined with trees and demand an accurate tee shot to attack the flag on approach. In addition, 5 lakes are scattered throughout the links and come into play for half the round.

Sanford International

The tour returns to the Midwest in September for the Sanford International, another relatively young event. 2018 saw the Sanford International debut, and Steve Stricker showed his class to defeat Tim Petrovic and Jerry Smith by 4 shots.

Minnehaha Country Club is the host venue, littered with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It is not the longest golf course on tour, reaching 6,530 yards off the burgundy tees, but it does demand precision to walk away with a low round.

Pure Insurance Championship

As we enter the back end of the season, the Tour Champions journeys to the West Coast for the Pure Insurance Championship. The famed Pebble Beach is the host venue for the event, originally titled the First Tee Open. However, organizers have changed the name on five occasions.

The Pure Insurance Championship became the official title in 2017 and has remained since. Craig Stadler lifted the cup in the inaugural event in 2004, winning by 3 strokes over Jay Haas.

Constellation Furyk & Friends

The Constellation Furyk and Friends event kicked off in 2021 as a way for the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation to raise funds for at-risk children. Timuquana Country Club puts on the event, which was first won by Phil Mickelson in the 2020-21 season.

The Country Club is located a short distance from my base for two years when I was navigating the high seas. Timuquana measures 6,949 yards from the back tees and is a standard Par 72 layout. Finally, its tree-lined fairways leave little margin for error, demanding accuracy off the tee.

If you’re traveling with family, Furyk & Friends is one of our favorites to bring the kids. In 2023, the tournament went all out with food trucks, a petting zoo, free ice cream, and more!

SAS Championship

The SAS Championship has featured on the PGA Tour Champions since 2001, played at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. Bruce Lietzke won the inaugural outing and went back to back in 2002.

The 54-hole complex opts for the Meadow and Highlands combination of courses for the SAS, playing 7,237 yards and carrying a 72-par total.

Dominion Energy Charity Classic

The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is the first playoff round for the Charles Schwab Cup. The top 72 players on the money list will be invited to the no-cut event after the SAS Championship.

The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond has hosted the event since it teed off in 2016 when Scott McCarron bagged the title. The venue is dominated by tree-lined fairways and the odd water hazard, making accuracy vital for success.

Simmons Bank Championship

The top 54 golfers on the money list after the Dominion Energy Charity Classic progress to the Simmons Bank Championship. The penultimate event of the year is hosted by Pleasant Valley Country Club, a parkland golf course with lightning-quick greens.

The tournament has a new headline sponsor this year after the partnership with TimberTech expired at the end of 2023.

Charles Schwab Cup Championship

The entire season has built up to this moment, where the remaining top 36 players are the only ones invited. The tour travels to Phoenix Country Club, Arizona, for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, and California all hosted the event before its switch to Arizona in 2014. The initial Charles Schwab Cup Championship was called the New York Life Champions played in Dorado, Puerto Rico, with Mike Hill winning the first two editions.

The parkland-styled Phoenix Country Club has hosted the cup since 2017,  measuring 6,764 yards, and it is a par 71.

5 PGA Tour Champions Major Tournaments

Regions tradition.

Golf Course: Greystone G&CC, Birmingham, AL Tournament Purse: $2,500,000 Dates: May 10 – 12, 2024

Past champions.

The Regents Tradition was first played in 1989 at the Desert Mountain Cochise course. Don Bies won the inaugural event by a shot over my compatriot Gary Player. Since 2016, the Founders Course at Greystone Golf and Country Club has remained the host venue.

It is the first major on the calendar, typically occurring in the second week of May after the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

Golf course: the golf club at harbor shores (mi) tournament purse: $3,500,000 dates: may 25 – may 28, 2024.

Like the PGA Championship, the senior edition is hosted at a different golf course every year. Years ago the tournament was hosted at Dunedin Golf Club in Florida from 1945 to 1962. Then, it moved to the PGA National Golf Club, which hosted it from 1982 to 2000.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is the oldest senior golf tournament on the calendar, with Jock Hutchinson winning the first event in 1937 on 7 over par.

U.S. Senior Open

Golf course: newport country club tournament purse: $4,000,000 dates: jun 27 – jun 30, 2024.

The third PGA TOUR major of the season sees the pros vie for the coveted Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy. The U.S. Senior Open is played at a different golf course every year. In 2024, it’s being held at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island.

Winged Foot hosted the first U.S. Senior Open in 1980, and Argentine Roberto De Vicenzo claimed a 4-stroke victory.

Bridgestone Senior Players Championship

Golf Course: Firestone Country Club, Akron, OH Tournament Purse: $3,500,000 Dates: Jul 11 – Jul 14, 2024

The penultimate PGA Tour Champions major hits our screens in mid-July 2024 when the Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club. The South Course or the “Monster” as it is colloquially known, is the chosen track.

It measures 7,400 yards off the Championship tees and is a par 70, with only one par 5 on each nine. The course is best suited to long hitters, and Jerry Kelly will attempt to win here for the third time in four years.

The inaugural Kaulig Companies Championship went ahead in 1983 at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio. Miller Barber was the first to etch his name onto the trophy defeating Gene Littler by one stroke.

Senior Open Championship

Golf Course: Carnoustie Links, Scotland Tournament Purse: $2,850,000 Dates: Jul 25 – Jul 28, 2024

The Senior Open Championship returns to Carnoustie for the first time since 2016. Englishman Paul Broadhurst walked away victorious on that weekend. This is the third time that ‘Car-nasty hosts the best in the seniors game, and Alex Čejka will look to defend the title he won at Royal Porthcawl in 2023.

Gale-force winds and rain always remain a threat. We will see plenty of punch shots on approach and bump and runs around the dance floor. The first official Senior Open Championship was played at Turnberry in 1987 as Neil Coles walked away with a one-stroke victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the pga champions playing.

The PGA Champions play on the PGA Tour Champions, for former tour and major winners. The Tour hosts over 28 tournaments a year at different venues across North America, Europe, and Africa.

What is the difference between PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions?

The PGA Tour is for professional golfers under the age of 50. Conversely, the PGA Tour Champions is for past tour winners and major champions over 50 .

What yardage does the PGA Champions Tour play?

The yardage on the PGA Senior Tour courses plays between 6800 to 7300 yards. The yardage differs depending on the golf course and changes from one week to another.

How much do Champions Tour players make?

The 2023 PGA Champions Tour average was $303,404. Steve Stricker topped the list, winning $3,986,063, while Dennis Hendershott was at the bottom, taking home $1080.

How much do caddies make on the Champions Tour?

Caddies on the Champions Tour typically take home 5 to 10% of their players’ PGA Senior Tour winnings. However, each player-caddie agreement varies as there are no specific guidelines. 

Final Thoughts on the PGA Tour Champions

There you have everything you need to know about the PGA Tour Champions 2024. I have covered it all, from the schedules, history and past winners. It is evident that Bernhard Langer is a dominant force on the Tour, as he is tied with Hale Irwin for the most victories.

I recommend you bookmark this guide to refer back to for dates, past winners and tournament information. It is everything you need to stay updated and informed about the PGA Tour Champions.

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Matt Callcott-Stevens has lived and breathed golf since he was four. As a junior, he played competitively, until he discovered his talents were better suited to writing about the game. Matt holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing through the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona and has provided golf game improvement tips to seniors and the average golfer for seven years.

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What is Phil Mickelson's senior tour future? It's complicated

The most revealing and pivotal moment for Phil Mickelson on the way to shooting the lowest debut round in PGA Tour Champions history on Monday unfolded on the 13th green at Ozarks National Golf Course. The 18-footer he converted ignited a streak of five straight birdies to propel him to a 10-under 61 and the lead, so there was that. But then there was the fist pump that followed. He set his jaw. He dropped his left hand emphatically. It mattered. Him being there. Competing. Vying for a slice of a $3 million purse when he’s used to bellying up to buffets of $9 million or more.

Why it mattered is left to conjecture.

Did he want to impress in his senior debut? Sure. Did he want to make up for the earliest departure of his career in the FedEx Cup Playoffs the week prior? Presumably. Did he have something to prove to himself? Maybe. That he could still shoot some low scores? Yes, yes, and yes. Did he have a burning desire to become the 20th man in PGA Tour Champions history to win in his first start, or does he have bigger things in mind?

Seriously, what do you think?

Phil Mickelson invaded the senior tour this week and left little doubt about the damage he could do if he were to become a regular among the 50-and-older set. A rather perfunctory five-under 66 on Wednesday was enough to secure not only a four-stroke conquest in the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National , but also some accompanying psychological reinforcement that he had hoped would be a residue of the experience.

“Who was going to be good enough this week with that rat here?” Rocco Mediate asked after Mickelson finished at 22-under 191, tying the tour’s 54-hole scoring record . “The proof’s in the punishing.”

And that’s what Mickelson was hoping to find, more or less.

After missing the cut Friday at The Northern Trust, the PGA Tour’s opening playoff event, Mickelson, who turned 50 in June , promptly opted for a detour to Ridgedale, Mo., with the expressed purpose of working on some shots in a competitive atmosphere and “building a little momentum.” Reuniting with old friends was fine and all, and Mickelson spoke repeatedly of enjoying the experience, which included the enjoyable addition of $450,000 to his bank account. But the U.S. Open at Winged Foot is three weeks away and the Masters is in November, and the old left-hander wasn’t warming up in the bullpen this week just to go out and win the Charles Schwab Cup.

“I had a lot of fun here, I really did,” Mickelson said. “I’m hopeful to play in some more, too, but I also want to use this as a way to get sharp for the regular tour and for the majors.”

Momentum found.

And now? He’ll tee it up in two weeks in the PGA Tour season opener, the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif., before heading for New York. “I’ll be working on my game the next week and a half, see if I can be really sharp for the U.S. Open,” he said, revealing more of where his head and heart really are. “Obviously, I have a lot of work to do [for] some redemption at Winged Foot, but it’s a great golf course and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

RELATED: Phil Mickleson at 50: A wonderful, wacky ride with one of golf’s great entertainers

Does Phil move a needle? The unequivocal needle-moving champ, Tiger Woods, was asked about the enigmatic left-hander Wednesday morning at the BMW Championship, near Chicago, the event for which Mickelson failed to qualify, thus inducing his decision for less greener but more pluckable pastures these last three days. The BMW is a FedEx Cup Playoff event with a $9.5 million purse, and senior golf is among the menu topics? Only because of Phil.

“Playing unbelievable golf,” said Woods, apparently taking some passing interest in his rival’s pursuits . “He said he’s been close to playing well. I think that he was already one of the longer hitters out here, and now he goes to where he’s going to pick up a huge advantage off the tee, but you have to take advantage of that opportunity off the tee. His wedge game is off the charts, as we all know. … There’s no reason why he can’t win every event he plays out there.”

Not surprisingly, there were a lot of interested parties. Other than TV ratings, Twitter is perhaps the best barometer for gauging interest in a golf tournament, and Mickelson postings multiplied across the social-media platform starting with his Monday salvo. One veteran golf journalist wrote, “Damn you, Phil,” for making him care about senior scores. Well, he wasn’t alone.

Oh, and about those TV ratings. Golf Channel saw ratings increases of 150 percent on Monday and nearly 300 percent on Tuesday for its coverage of the PGA Tour Champions compared to programming in the same time period (6-8 p.m. EDT) the prior four weeks. Tuesday’s coverage was the most-watched Tuesday telecast since Golf Central Live during the 2019 Masters. (Wednesday’s figures weren’t yet available.)

Mickelson shot the tour's lowest score in his senior debut round (61) and matched the tour's 54-hole scoring record.

Brett Carlsen

RELATED: Phil Mickelson gives us a sneak peek at what he’d be like as a TV analyst

No wonder his peers have been eager to see him join the ranks. They recognize that Ernie Els and Jim Furyk and Mike Weir and Rich Beem, major champions all, are terrific additions to the elder statesmen herd this year, but no one ever conjured up an ad campaign entitled, “What will Ernie do next?”

“I’m glad it was sooner rather than later,” said two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen about Mickelson’s appearance. “Obviously his career … stellar. He brings a lot of attention to our tour. He’s also a great presence for pro-ams, in the locker room, talking trash. He’s fun to have around.”

“I think all of us out here would wish he would play out here a lot, because he brings such a presence, but I don’t think any of us would expect him to,” Steve Flesch said. “He gives our tour great exposure, as do a lot of other new guys like a Jim Furyk, Ernie, Retief. But Phil is just another notch higher as far as popularity. That’s just who fans like. And, you saw he just dismantled the golf course here. The rest of us mere mortals have to play it one way. He’s playing on another universe out there.

“He just kind of came in and blew through us. I wish we’d have had a few big names pushing him,” Flesch added. “My worry is he might not find it challenging enough. Not to demean anyone on our tour, but the guy is [ranked] 50-something in the world. We all kind of know where he should be playing.”

RELATED: Our 50 favorite ‘Phil being Phil’ moments

It didn’t even look like a fair fight. The coffee-swilling five-time major winner has no gray hair, stands without slouching, has remained fit and retained his flexibility, and he doesn’t appear particularly interested in giving his driver a respite of appreciable duration. He attacked Ozark National, which, fortuitously, happens to be generous off the tee, with a tournament-leading driving average of 323.7 yards. And he provided one of several highlight-reel shots by using the same club in the second round to escape from under a tree, with the ball perched on pine straw and bark .

Per usual, Phil can thrill.

Not that this necessarily always thrills Phil. Earlier this year he sounded like a man who fancied a little more scoring efficiency.

“I believe I can play at an extremely high level,” he said. “I just need to show it. I need to show what I believe.”

The chance to renew friendships with former competitors might give playing the PGA Tour Champions more appeal for Mickelson.

There have been plenty of accomplished players to join the senior tour in the years since Jack Nicklaus dipped his toe in sporadically in 1990, started collecting senior majors with relative ease and then remained somewhat fixated on winning the only four majors that matter. Since then, it can be argued, no 50-year-old has been more focused on, better prepared for, and seemingly capable of winning a major championship than Mickelson.

At 54th in the World Rankings, he could still be a threat at any major even if he is not a threat in every major.

Only last month Mickelson finished T-2 at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude, where he became the first player age 50 or older to finish in the top five in a WGC event. Last year, he won a record-tying fifth title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for his 44th PGA Tour victory, and the year before he broke a winless streak of almost five years by defeating reigning FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas in a playoff at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

A month before that Pebble triumph, Mickelson opened the American Express with a 60. He can still bring some heat. And he can still flame out, as witnessed from time to time, which only adds to his aura and intensifies the fascination with which fans, both casual and golf-rabid, hold him. Is there another player in the world who advances a golf ball with more abandon and has more fun doing it?

There was once, but Arnold Palmer has left the building.

RELATED: Phil Mickelson’s most memorable equipment moments

Mickelson is the first player since Tom Watson to stick a peg in the forward tees whom we might think of as an authentic “legendary-type” figure. The two guys who maybe came closest in between were Fred Couples and John Daly, for different—and very separate—reasons. And Mickelson, frankly, might be the last, unless Woods decides, five-plus years from now, that he wants to spread a last layer of whoop-ass on his peers.

While still competitive on the PGA Tour, Mickelson has said his starts with the seniors will be sparing.

How much will Mickelson hang around his fellow seniors? That is the real question, and the answer would seem to be not much. At least for the foreseeable future.

In February, before he nearly defended his title at Pebble Beach, Mickelson said he didn’t want to, “hurt the Champions Tour in any way, and if not playing the Champions Tour is going to hurt it, I’ll play a couple of events. I’ll probably play one, two or three events a year because I want to support it; I want it to be successful.”

RELATED: Two things Phil Mickelson surprisingly hasn’t accomplished

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Mickelson was quite enamored with the direction his game was headed, and he was highly motivated about the possibilities ahead. He put down this marker: “This motivates me to compete against the best players in the world. That drives me to get in the gym, it drives me to work hard on the range, it drives me to spend time on the putting green. And I’m not sure I would have the same passion and drive to be my best on the Champions Tour, but I have it out here, and so right now it’s starting to bring out the best in me and I want to play out here.”

The previous three days in Missouri already had been set to give the PGA Tour Champions a spotlight to enjoy, given that there were no other competitive golf events up against it. Then Phil Mickelson swooped in and changed the entire complexion of the thing. It is for that reason that the rest of the senior contingent wishes for his increased attendance, even if it means he is going to throttle them with bombs.

A World Golf Hall-of-Famer, Mickelson could add his name to a long line of fine players who ardently attempted to compete on both tours. But, seriously, what’s the point?

Mediate summed it up best. “Hopefully he’ll play some more, but he’s still fine on the regular tour. He still has big game, as you can see.”

Still has big aspirations, too.

Legends: Keith Horne's first win, Tadini 19th

S outh African Keith Horne has sealed his first title on the Legends Tour in Zambia, where he won the Zambia Golf Legends Championship with 198 (71 63 64, -18). On the Bonanza Golf Club course (par 72) in Lusaka, he had to use special effects in the final round to get the better of Brazilian Adilson Da Silva, second with 201 (-15) and one of the best players on the circuit in the last two years.

Horne, 53, from Durban, with a career on the Sunshine Tour with nine successes, had to score a 64 (-8, eight birdies) to avoid surprises against the same score (one eagle, six birdies) achieved by his rival. Only one Italian in the field, Alessandro Tadini, at his second appearance of the season, who finished 19th with 213 (71 72 70, -3).

In his first appearance he had finished 28th (Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy).

Legends, results

Behind the two rivals and never in the running for victory were the Kenyan Dismas Indiza Anyonyi, third with 203 (-13), then the Scotsman Euan McIntosh, fourth with 206 (-10), the New Zealander Michael Campbell, fifth with 207 (-9), and the Englishmen Simon Griffiths and Robert Coles, sixth with 208 (-8).

The Legends Tour, formerly known as the Women's Senior Golf Tour, is a professional golf tour for women over the age of 45. The tour was founded in 2000 by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Since its founding, the tour has been organized by the LPGA.

It is similar to the Champions Tour, a golf tour for men over the age of 50. All golf tournaments on the Legends Tour take place in the United States. In 2000, the tour was founded as the Women's Senior Golf Tour until it was renamed the Legends Tour in 2006.

In 2000, the first golf season began and there were two golf tournaments on the calendar. From 2001 to 2006, 16 golf tournaments were organized. Since 2006, the Legends Tour has organized a team golf tournament called the Handa Cup.

It is a team competition between American female golfers and female golfers outside the United States. It is similar to the Solheim Cup, a team competition between American and European female golfers. In 2009, the Legends Tour founded the Legends Tour Open Championship and it was the only "Major" of this golf tour until 2013.

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Chi Chi Rodriguez, the Golf World’s Swashbuckling Champion, Dies at 88

He won eight PGA Tour tournaments and two senior majors — but it was his flair on the greens that made him one of the sport’s most popular players.

By Richard Goldstein

Chi Chi Rodriguez, whose flamboyance on the course and passion for the game of golf transformed him into one of its most popular players through his more than three decades on the pro tours, died on Thursday. He was 88.

His death was announced by the PGA Tour . The announcement did not cite a cause or say where he died.

In a sport typically associated with lush country clubs where respectful crowds idolize often bland players with comfortable roots, Rodriguez broke the mold.

Growing up in a poor family in Puerto Rico, he almost died at age 4 from vitamin deficiencies. At 7, he helped out in the sugar cane fields where his father, Juan Rodriguez Sr., whacked away with a machete for a few dollars a day.

The boy who would be known as Chi Chi also began caddying at a course that drew affluent tourists. He taught himself to play using limbs from guava trees to propel crushed tin cans into holes that he had dug on baseball fields, and when he was 12 he shot a 67 in a real game of golf. After playing in Puerto Rican tournaments, he joined the PGA Tour in 1960.

Rodriguez was 5-foot-7 and about 120 pounds. But he used his strong hands and wrists to get off long low drives, and he was an outstanding wedge player, offsetting his sometimes balky putting game. “For a little man, he sure can hit it,” Jack Nicklaus told Sports Illustrated in 1964, relating how Rodriguez often outdistanced him off the tee on flat, into-the-wind fairways.

Rodriguez won eight tournaments on the PGA Tour, then became one of the top players on the Senior (now Champions) Tour, capturing 22 events, including two majors: the 1986 Senior Players Championship and the 1987 Senior PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.

And he played with a flourish seldom seen.

When he made a birdie, he would cover the hole with his narrow-brim straw hat, then perform a toreador dance.

“One morning we were playing for five cents a hole,” he once told People magazine, recalling his long-ago games against fellow caddies. “I made a 40-foot putt, but there was a toad in the hole. When he hopped out, the ball came with it. I lost the nickel.” That inspired him to make sure that his ball would never again escape prematurely — or so the tale went.

After draining a difficult putt, Rodriguez would sometimes turn his putter into a simulated sword being unleashed on a bull, then wipe imaginary blood from it and place it in an invisible scabbard.

Such theatricality, plus his chattering with the galleries, didn’t endear him to some of his playing partners.

He was fined $200 by the P.G.A. in October 1970 after Dave Hill complained that Rodriguez had distracted him during the Kaiser Open in California when he sought to amuse spectators with a simulated attempt to bat a golf ball with a bunker rake.

Rodriguez always maintained that he meant no disrespect to the game. But, as he once put it: “Golf is show business. I love to make people laugh.”

For all his success, Rodriguez never forgot his origins, having been inspired to help others by his father’s generosity to those who had even less than him.

After visiting a Florida juvenile detention center to give a golf clinic, he vowed to do more. In 1979, he became a founder of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, which provides counseling, educational and vocational training for disadvantaged students, and he contributed substantially to its funding. The Clearwater complex, in Clearwater, Fla., now includes a public-private academy for students from the fourth to eighth grades.

“I love kids because I never was a kid,” Rodriguez once said. “I was too poor to be a kid.”

Juan Antonio Rodriguez Jr. was born on Oct. 23, 1935, in Rio Piedras, P.R., one of six children. Beyond golf, he played baseball as a young man and called himself Chi Chi after the Puerto Rican professional baseball player Chi Chi Flores.

He served in the Army in the mid-1950s and then became the assistant pro at the Dorado Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, outside San Juan. He received a $12,000 stake from Laurance S. Rockefeller, who developed the property, to help finance Rodriguez’s beginnings on the PGA Tour. His eight victories included the 1964 Western Open and the 1972 Byron Nelson Classic.

Rodriguez joined the Senior Tour in 1985 and became one of its top money winners, crediting the teaching pro Bob Toski with improving his game. “Bob told me to stand taller,” he said. “At least, as tall as someone like me can stand. It helped my swing and it helped my putting.”

In his later years he lived at the El Legado Golf Resort, which he built, in Guayama, on the island’s south coast. In May 2010, masked nighttime intruders tied him up along with his wife, Iwalani, and robbed them of cash and jewels valued at $500,000.

Rodriguez is survived by a daughter, Donnette Markham; two brothers, Jesus and Julio; and three sisters, Juanita, Carmen and Maria. His wife, a native of Hawaii, died in 2021.

Rodriguez complemented his flair on the golf course with a host of wry observations, often at his own expense.

On his youth: “I was poor when I was starting out. I mean, I had a room so small I couldn’t even change my mind.”

On his persona: “I’m a hot dog pro. That’s when someone in the gallery looks at his pairing sheet and says, ‘Here comes Joe Baloney, Sam Sausage and Chi Chi Rodriguez. Let’s go get a hot dog.’”

On his putting problems: “I read the greens in Spanish, but I putt in English.”

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Lynch: the tour can honor chi chi and show star players that making golf richer doesn’t just mean their bank accounts, share this article.

Quibbling about awards invariably centers on who receives them and who deserves them, since they are often not the same people. (See: Kissinger, Henry and the Nobel Peace Prize.)

Golf loves nothing more than touting its values, real and imagined, so every organization in the sport contributes to a healthy disbursement of baubles. Most are bestowed on great players for their accomplishments, and in many cases are named for those folks.

Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Jones, Harry Vardon, Glenna Collett-Vare, and Louise Suggs all have awards named after them, some more than one. The slew of annual prizes handed out by the PGA Tour mostly acknowledge achievements inside the ropes that are readily supportable by metrics, like scoring averages and cash pocketed. Only one of the Tour’s accolades, the Payne Stewart Award, speaks to what the recipient does after scorecards are signed and the cameras are turned off. Elsewhere in the golf industry, two awards — those named for Bob Jones and Old Tom Morris — also nod to the manner in which honorees have conducted themselves and the imprint they’ve made.

The name of Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez is on the latter two trophies as a legatee, but no prize is presented in his honor. That’s because his career record doesn’t belong on the plane of Palmer and Nicklaus. Eight PGA Tour wins and 22 on the senior circuit made him an occasional scene-stealing cameo actor among superstars. Yet he’s in the World Golf Hall of Fame, which hints at a deeper impact not easily summarized via a list of tournament successes. His passing on August 8 at the age of 88 is an opportunity not only to reconsider how to best honor the life of Rodriguez, but to reassess what traits the game ought to highlight and encourage among current and future generations of players.

Chi Chi Rodriguez signs autographs at the Nashawtuc Country Club in 2006.

When sports legends die, it often serves to illustrate how much has changed since their prime. Usually for the better, but sometimes not. So it is with Chi Chi. We see anew how the senior tour became corporatized beyond recognition, even in its rebranding as the PGA Tour Champions. Rodriguez was unceremoniously shown the door a couple decades ago when his scores were thought too undignified. That was the moment when the Tour ceased to view itself as an entertainment product built on exhibiting aged stars and more like an annuity opportunity for journeymen who didn’t play for as much cash in their earning years. The identity of the circuit left about the same time as Chi Chi.

More: Social media responds to the death of Chi Chi Rodriguez with love, affection and great tales

We’re also reminded of what a character Rodriguez was — engaging, funny, outspoken, performative, exasperating, preachy, and undeniably swaggy. Sixty-plus years ago he stood out among the army of vanilla clones that have always overpopulated professional golf. He would do so even more today.

More than anything, Chi Chi’s passing evokes an era when salesmanship was a required skill set on the PGA Tour, at least for those who wanted to make some coin. Players had to market themselves and their collective product, to give something in return to sponsors, spectators and fans at home. Their job wasn’t just to show up and cash a check, with little more than a cursory nod to the constituents who make that possible. Sure, toreador dancing while brandishing his putter as a sword and placing his fedora hat over the hole were affectations, but still evidence of an effort made.

Almost 20 years ago, I went to meet Rodriguez at his home in Puerto Rico. He was wounded still about being shoved to the sidelines in the Tim Finchem era, but was also warm and gregarious, reflective about past misjudgments. Most of all, he was appreciative of what golf had given him, and even moreso about what he’d been able to give back. The game could use a lot more of that sentiment these days.

Which is why the PGA Tour should add another award to its annual prize-giving: The Chi Chi Rodriguez Medal. Every player would be eligible because every player can meet the requirements — of giving something back to fans, of going the extra mile to engage and entertain those who pay for the product, of offering more than thin smiles and banalities about taking one shot at a time. As we move toward an era when the Tour’s business will require more of its members, it’s a way to drive home that signing a few hats and posing for selfies is the bare minimum they can give of themselves.

Even the most devoted Tour propagandists might struggle to think of more than a couple of viable candidates for such an award, which only highlights the need for it. The attitude embodied by Chi Chi — that players’ obligations extend beyond their bank accounts — has fallen by the wayside in this era of irrational market values. Making the game richer isn’t solely about cash, nor is it a responsibility just for sponsors or the Saudis. It’s on players too. It’s not an easy metric to measure, but we knew it when we saw it with Chi Chi. And we know that we’re not seeing it much now.

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“ Cultural Planning will help to ensure the Perm region will remain distinctive and unique” , Mr. Protasevich said. “It will mean planning ways to support and preserve our heritage, developing appealing opportunities for artists and musicians regardless of age, and generating education and employment. It will mean building a creative community with a buzz.”

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The international children festival of theatre arts “Long Break”

What is the international child festival of theatre arts “Long Break”? It is a real holiday for young spectators and their parents. The international child festival of theatre arts “Long Break” will be hold from the 30th of April to the 5th of May. It will be in Perm and Lysva. It will be hold under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture, Youth Politics and Mass Communications of Perm Krai. The program of the festival is prepared by Russian and foreign experts of child theatre. There are the most interesting for children events of the world arts. The “Long Break” familiarizes children with actual artists. It is the platform where people communicate with people using the language of modern arts which is understandable for a new generation.

The festival “The White Nights in Perm”

• The participants of the festival of land art “Ural Myths” will create art objects using natural materials. The objects will have the same mythological idea.
• During the festival of bears “MedveDay” the masters Teddy-makers will tell gripping stories about a symbol of the city. They will organize some exhibitions of teddy bears and they will give master classes.

• The exhibition “Mammoth’s track” will gather mammoths from different corners of Russia on Perm’s territory. There will be even a famous mammoth Dima.
• And at last the international festival of street arts «Open sky» will represent the various program: carnival processions, a 5-day master class «Mask Art», street shows and performances, performances of Russian and foreign street theatres.

The IX International festival “Heavenly Fair of Ural”

From the 26th to the 3rd of July the IX International festival “Heavenly Fair of Ural” takes place in Kungur. There will be a fight for the I Privolzhski Federal Disctrict Cup for aerostatics and the VII Perm Krai Open Cup for aerostatics.This year Kungur won’t hold rating competitions which results are taking into general account of the pilots. They counted on creating entertainment activities “Air battles over Kungur”. There will be the representatives of sub-units of ultralight aviation, detachment of parachute troops and water means. All the battles will take place straight over the city. And natives will take part in the festival too.According to initial data 15 aeronauts and about 50 ultralight aviation pilots expressed willingness to take part at the festival. And a dirigible pilot confirmed his participation.Ultralight aviation pilots will take part in the “Air games” within the festival. As last year a campsite of ultralight aviation will base in an area near a village Milniki.

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Quite a few internationally renowned festivals take place in Perm every year. The most prominent ones include the International Documentary Film Festival Flahertiana . Every October, the festival, inspired by the art of Robert Flaherty, draws the brightest stars of both international and Russian documentary scenes. International Diaghilev Festival is another prominent event in Perm. It is entirely devoted to classical art and theatre and occurs every year in June.

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