a one-time ‘major reunion’
the constellation energy senior players championship, won by fred couples at
westchester cc sunday, promoted itself as “a major reunion.” the slogan made
sense, given that all but six of the 78 players in the field had competed on the
course when it was a pga tour stop, many of them multiple times. but the fifth senior major’s stint at westchester is possibly one and done. (the club’s option year
for an event is 2013.) constellation energy’s five-year run as title sponsor has expired, and the champions tour is talking to two new york-based companies and
a midwestern entity about assuming the role if constellation isn’t interested in an
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extension, according to champions tour president mike stevens. “it’s not going
away,” stevens said of the senior players, held since 1983. “this one will stay on
the schedule.” galleries were thin at westchester, and if the senior players does
stay in new york, an attempt will be made to shift the event to June. “crowds
were what i expected,” stevens said. “this time of year in this type of market, a lot
of people are on vacation. new york’s tough. when we play in the ‘a markets,’ we
typically have some difficulty until we’ve got some history. if it works out that we
stay in new york, i think long-term we’ll start to draw a good following.” —B.F.
stan badz/pga tour
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