SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (March 4, 2005) – The SBC Classic today announced that PGA Tour legend Fuzzy Zoeller will compete in the 2005 SBC Classic scheduled March 7-13 at the acclaimed Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita. A PGA Tour veteran who has competed in more than 550 Tour events, Zoeller joins a stellar group of golfers already committed to playing, including Craig Stadler, Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin, and returning champion Gil Morgan (see attached roster), all of whom are vying for a share of the tournament’s $1.55 million purse and first prize of $232,500.
“We’re thrilled Fuzzy has decided to play at this year’s tournament,” said SBC Classic Tournament Director Peter deYoung. “Aside from showcasing his top notch golf skills, Fuzzy brings a fun energy that always resonates with fans. We look forward to watching him compete, and entertain, at the 2005 SBC Classic.”
A PGA Tour professional since 1974, Zoeller has collected two wins in his three years of play on the Champions Tour, including the Senior PGA Championship (’02) and Mastercard Championship (’04). Prior to joining the Champions Tour in 2002, Zoeller accumulated 10 PGA Tour victories including two major titles (1979
Last year’s tournament proved to be one of the most exciting Champions Tour events of 2004 as Gil Morgan spoiled Peter Jacobsen’s Champions Tour debut by winning the SBC Classic for a third time. In the final round, after lipping out a 15-foot eagle putt on No. 9, Morgan tapped in for birdie and then reeled off birdies on the 10th and 11th holes to open a five-stroke lead. Other past tournament champions include Tom Kite, Raymond Floyd, and Tom Purtzer.
Also of special note is the participation of longtime PGA Tour standout and fan favorite Curtis Strange, who will be making one of his first Champions Tour appearances at the 2005 SBC Classic. Each day of the tournament will be aired on The Golf Channel.
Tickets to the SBC Classic are available for purchase through the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation at 661-253-8082 as well as via the Los Angeles County Junior Golf Foundation at 213-738-2972. Additionally, the tournament is inviting other charities and nonprofit organizations to join the “Champions for Charity” and “Charity Partners” programs, which provide organizations with the opportunity to utilize the SBC Classic to generate funds through the sale of tickets and corporate hospitality. For information regarding charity involvement, contact the SBC Classic at 661-260-1897.
About
Since its public opening in 1965, the Valencia Country Club has been recognized as one of
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2005 SBC Classic Committed Players Roster
Jim Albus
Isao Aoki
Hugh Baiocchi
Andy Bean
John Bland
Jose Maria Canizares
Charles Coody
Ben Crenshaw
Rodger Davis
Terry Dill
Ed Dougherty
Dale Douglass
Allen Doyle
R.W. Eaks
Bob Eastwood
David Eger
Dave Eichelberger
Keith Fergus
Vicente Fernandez
Ed Fiori
Bruce Fleisher
Raymond Floyd
John Fought
Gibby Gilbert
Bob Gilder
Hubert Green
Walter Hall
John Harris
Morris Hatalsky
Joe Inman
Hale Irwin
John Jacobs
Tom Jenkins
Mark Johnson
Wayne Levi
Bruce Lietzke
John Mahaffey
Graham Marsh
Gary McCord
Mike McCullough
Mark McCumber
Pat McGowan
Tom McKnight
Mark McNulty
Hajime Meshiai
Gil Morgan
Larry Nelson
Pete Oakley
Jerry Pate
Don Pooley
Tom Purtzer
Dana Quigley
Don Reese
Mike Reid
Bill Rogers
Jay Sigel
Des Smyth
J.C. Snead
Craig Stadler
Dave Stockton
Curtis Strange
Ron Streck
Mike Sullivan
Bruce Summerhays
Doug Tewell
Leonard Thompson
Rocky Thompson
Jim Thorpe
Howard Twitty
Bobby Wadkins
Lanny Wadkins
Tom Wargo
D.A. Weibring
Fuzzy Zoeller