Welcoming golf’s greats to Island
This is the kind of senior moment we like. Senior professional golfers will come to Victoria in September to compete in the 2016 Pacific Links Championship, part of the PGA Tour Champions. It’s good news for everyone concerned. Bear Mountain Resort landed the tournament after it had to be moved from Tianjin, China, following chemical explosions that struck that region last August.
A field of 81 players — all of whom have passed the age of 50 — will compete for $2.5-million US in purse money.
Professional golf legends will be among those players, including John Daly, known as “Long John” for his impressive drives from the tee as he averaged 300 yards per drive for more than 10 years; Bernhard Langer, the German golfer who was the top money-maker in seven of the past eight PGA Tour Champions; Tom Lehman, winner of the 1996 British Open and top money-maker in the 2011 PGA Tour Champions; Tom Watson, whose career includes five British Open Championships, two Masters titles and one U.S. Open title; and Fred Couples, a former world No. 1 player who has won 57 professional tournaments, most notably the 1992 Masters.
Victoria’s own Jim Rutledge and Calgary-based Stephen Ames will also likely participate in the tournament.
This isn’t a one-night stand. The event takes place from Sept. 19 to Sept. 25, beginning with practice rounds for the players a few days before the tournament. Pro-ams will be held on Wednesday and Thursday before event play begins Friday, Sept. 23. A charity partner will be chosen for the tournament.
This is an opportunity for Vancouver Islanders to get a look at some great names in golf and witness some highcalibre golf. It is also an opportunity for the world of golf to get a closer look at Greater Victoria. The most obvious attraction is Bear Mountain’s Jack Nicklaus-designed Mountain Course, but the event will also bring international exposure to the region’s many other features and attributes.
“It will be tremendous for the Greater Victoria area,” said David Clarke, chief financial officer for Bear Mountain’s owner, Ecoasis Developments. “Obviously, there is us as the host site, but we’re not just focused on that. It’s the economic benefit to the entire area.
“There’s going to be great spinoff for other local hotels, restaurants, transportation providers — all those types of businesses will benefit.”
The commitment for the tournament is just for this year, but Bear Mountain is exploring the opportunity to continue the relationship with the tour and Pacific Links, said Clarke
The PGA Tour Champions is a perfect fit for the Island’s genial climate and beautiful landscapes. These seniors are welcome back any time.