We Are The Champions: President Discusses Tour

With the Champions Tour season underway this week with the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in Tampa, Tour President Rick George is featured in a Q&A with GOLFWEEK’s Babineau & Seanor. George, on the state of the Tour: “I think we’re coming off a real positive year. Our attendance is up -– it’s not where we want it to be, but it’s up. We feel this tour is getting some exposure we may not have gotten in the past.” But George added, “We have a couple of holes to fill. One of my major disappointments is South Florida, that it’s not back on our schedule. It will be in ’06, one way or another.” George on attendance: “We need to increase it [10-15% in ’05]” (GOLFWEEK, 2/26 issue).

SHARK WATCH: In a separate piece, Jeff Babineau notes Greg Norman, who recently turned 50, will “test the Champions Tour later this summer, when the majors start arriving. There is skepticism whether today’s PGA Tour stars ... will even have a need to play the Champions Tour.” PGA Tour player Paul Azinger said Norman “is the beginning of the generation that doesn’t need the money. It’ll be interesting to see how many in this generation will play [the Champions Tour].” But Champions Tour player Hale Irwin said, “Arnold Palmer doesn’t need the money. Jack Nicklaus doesn’t need it. Why do they play? They love what it brings out in them ... So I think most of those guys will be out here.” Babineau notes “the hottest Champions issue is the use of golf carts,” and Tour execs said that the decision to prohibit carts “was made to improve” the Tour’s image. George, when asked whether the Tour is “exhibition golf” or “purely a competitive animal,” said, “There’s no argument between being entertainment or competition –because we’re both” (GOLFWEEK, 2/26 issue).