JUST COMING OF AGE
They aren’t 21 anymore, like U. S. golfing wunderkind Jordan Spieth. But they’re legends of the sport. They have experience and plenty of game. Just how good are the veterans, aged 50 and over, who will compete in the $ 2.35 million US Shaw Charity Classi
COLIN MONTGOMERIE
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, 52, would be a superstar no matter what century he was playing in. This year’s tournament will be his first time at the event and the World Golf Hall of Famer will be a marquee attraction. He’s already won both the 2014 and 2015 Senior PGA Championships.
1: Ranking on the Champions Tour with 2,426 Charles Schwab Cup points ( as of this week).
$ 1,448,700: Winnings this year on the Champions Tour. 48: Tournaments won around the world in his career.
8: Number of times he represented Europe on the Ryder Cup and number of times he won the European Tour Order of Merit.
1993: Year he became Europe’s No. 1 player, a position he held for an unprecedented seven years. He’s earned more prize money than any British golfer in history.
2005: Received the Order of the British Empire ( OBE).
2013: Year he joined the Champions Tour.
3: Number of Champions Tour victories. He won the 2014 and 2015 Senior PGA Championships and the 2014 U. S. Senior Open Championship.
75.69: Percentage of greens hit in regulation play on Champions Tour.
69.64: His scoring average this year.
Quote: “I’ve been hearing how good the tournament is … from the course, the fan base, the lockerrooms, the volunteers. I believe it’s ranked No. 1 on the list. I’m anxious to get there and savour that, cherish that.”
Montgomerie on coming to Calgary to play in his first Shaw Charity Classic, as reported by the Calgary Herald’s George Johnson
FRED COUPLES
Last year, American Fred Couples, 55, was a favourite of the 40,000 spectators who turned out to watch the Shaw Charity Classic. Couples shot the best final round of his career — a 61 — including an eagle on the 54th hole to set up a playoff with Billy Andrade. Couples claimed the title on the first extra hole.
15: Number of PGA Tour events he has won.
1: Lone major championship win was a biggie — the 1992 Masters Tournament.
11: Champions Tour wins, including 2014 Shaw Charity Classic. He’s had another 10 second- place finishes.
$ 22,595,873: What he earned playing PGA Tour golf.
$ 7,832,663: Money he earned playing on the Champions Tour.
277.8: Driving distance this year.
4: Champions Tour events played this year.
2013: Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Quote: “Calgary has been a very enjoyable place for me. I have said over the last two years that I really liked the course and I felt like I could play it well. To come back and win last year was such a great feeling.
“The crowds are huge in Calgary and the course is always in great shape. Hopefully we can put on another great show in August.”
Fred Couples, in a news release on Thursday.
ROCCO MEDIATE
Cigar- chomping Rocco Mediate, 52, born in Pennsylvania, was the popular first- year winner ( 2013) at the Shaw Charity Classic and will make his third appearance this year.
6: PGA Tour wins.
$ 16,792,617: Money earned during his PGA career.
2: Champions Tour wins, including 2013 Shaw Charity Classic.
35: Current Charles Schwab Cup ranking, with 274 points.
70.54: Scoring average this year.
271.9: Driving distance.
Quote: “It’s one of those weeks where nothing really happened bad. A lot of good shots, a lot of good putting. It was freaky, actually.”
Mediate, reflecting on winning in 2013 at the Shaw Charity Classic.