Better to hoof it

Richard Dunn

Gourmet food and the best wine. Luxury yachts and multimillionaire

lots. There are Cadillacs filling the players-only section of the

parking lot at Newport Beach Country Club.

Everywhere players turn, their shoes are shined their bags are

picked up, their every little detail is in order. They would arrive

here for the Toshiba Senior Classic and stroll around in golf carts,

one of the unique attributes of this 50-and-over senior golf tour --

the PGA Champions Tour.

But life isn’t getting any easier for these guys.

For the first time, tour officials have changed the privilege of

using a golf cart for the seniors. They are now encouraged to walk

during official tournament events.

Players can still cruise along and relax in a golf cart, but the

tour is clearly trying to look younger and more appealing and

certainly more competitive. Part of that effort includes the use of

golf carts.

The new cart rules are particularly interesting and will no doubt

cause some confusion along the way. Caddies are no longer permitted

to ride in a cart at any time during an official round, and bags are

also banned. Golf cart weather covers and heaters have also been

axed.

The 2003 Champions Tour Golf Cart Rules and Guidelines stipulates

a consistent no-cart provision in Champions Tour Major Championships

and the Champions Tour Championship. Players and caddies, however,

are allowed to ride in carts during pro-am and practice rounds.

Other modifications and fan-friendly initiatives that will affect

the Toshiba Senior Classic and every other tour event include a

lottery for fans to become an honorary observers inside the ropes,

and also a Caddie of the Day promotion.

Some new tour initiatives that the Toshiba Classic implemented

last year to great success were the dropping of the ropes behind the

final group (all three days) and post-round player Q & A session with

the fans. After the Saturday round last year at Newport Beach,

Toshiba Classic Tournament Director Jeff Purser rounded up Chi Chi

Rodriguez and Fuzzy Zoeller, who were miked up and sitting together

high on a scaffolding near the first tee for about 20 minutes, much

to the crowd’s delight.

This year, Purser announced that Gary McCord and John Jacobs will

entertain the crowd after the first round in a Q & A session with

fans, while Rodriguez and Zoeller will repeat their stage feat after

the second round.

Of the tour’s fan-friendly initiatives, it is up to each

tournament director to decide how to utilize the promotions.

New this year at the Toshiba Classic for sponsors in hospitality

tents is the chance to wine and dine with a member of the Champions

Tour.

Purser said if you wanted to invite a Champions Tour professional

to your tent for dinner, it could be arranged for the right price.

When asked what the going rate is for a pro to come to your corporate

villa and impress your guests and clients, Purser started to say it

would be different for each golfer. Some might not charge at all,

especially if you have good wine.

Last year, players were miked up during rounds and gave television

interviews between shots.