A proposal by Chrysler to offer a $5M bonus for winning
three of the company's sponsored PGA Tour events in '97 could run
afoul of Tour policy, according to Lynn Henning of GOLFWEEK.
Chrysler's events include the Bob Hope Classic, Tucson Open and
the Greater Greensboro Open. The incentive program "appears to
run afoul of a PGA Tour policy that says bonus money cannot
exceed first place-money in the concluding event of a multievent
series." Chrysler has had a long association with the Bob Hope
Classic and is set to become the sponsor of the Tucson Open,
taking over for Nortel. Chrysler's proposal is designed to "draw
more big name Tour players to the season's early tournaments."
Henning notes, "No one seemed sure what attitude the Tour's
Policy Board might take toward Chrysler's proposal." But,
because the Chrysler proposal "would intensify focus on the
tournament and its winner," it may be approved by the nine-member
Policy Board (GOLFWEEK, 5/11 issue).
NEW SENIOR CIRCUITS: Two new senior circuits are said to be
in the infant stages development, according to GOLFWEEK. One is
a tour for players 65 and older called the Major Champions of
Golf, which would feature players who have won on the PGA Tour
but are no longer eligible for the Senior PGA Tour. Also, two
employees of the now-defunct Senior Series, Terri Barber and Bob
Rath, are "close to starting a new tour for Senior Tour
wannabes." Potential investors are reviewing financial numbers,
and if either sponsor signs up, the new tour will stage 10-12
events this year, each with a $100,000 purse (GOLFWEEK, 5/11
issue).
