KEY Magazine Fort Worth

2004 Bank of America Colonial
May 17-23, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas

The eyes of golfing fans will once again be on the Bank of America Colonial this month. Some of the golfers who have committed for this historic event include defending champion Kenny Perry, reigning Masters champion Phil Mickelson, reigning PGA champion Shaun Micheel, Davis Love III, David Toms, Justin Leonard, Chad Campbell and past Colonial champions Fulton Allem, Olin Browne, Keith Clearwater, Rod Curl, David Frost, Peter Jacobsen, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, and Dan Pohl. About 120 golfers are expected to play in this year's Bank of American Colonial event with its $5.3 million purse. The winner's share is $954,000.

Although defending champion Kenny Perry enjoys a reputation as a laid-back, quiet guy, his golf game spoke volumes last year. His three victories in 2003, along with several near-victories, established him as one of the world's top 10 players. He likes the view from up there, but says it hasn’t changed him. "I don't think of myself as an elite player," he told a captive audience at the Kickoff Dinner for the 2004 Bank of America Colonial in March. "I think of myself as a blue collar golfer who goes out every day and works to be his best. Being ninth in the world hasn’t added any pressure on me. It's nice to be up there with Tiger and those other guys."

Monday, May 17 activities feature a Pro-Am with a 10 a.m. shotgun start, followed by pro practice rounds. Tuesday, May 18 includes more practice rounds, and a 4:15 p.m. Junior Clinic on the driving range. Wednesday, May 19 is the all day Pro-Am. Then at about 8 a.m. on May 20, the first 18 holes of the championship tournament begins. Also, on Thursday evening in Sundance Square, Bank of America is sponsoring a "Bank of America Tees It Up With Montgomery Gentry" free concert. Opening acts will perform at 6 and 7 p.m., followed by Montgomery Gentry at 8:30 p.m. The second 18 holes is Friday, May 21, and the third 18 holes is Saturday, May 22. The final round starts around 8 a.m., Sunday, May 23.

The Colonial Country Club golf course is rated as Texas’ best, and is on "America’s best" golf course list. The course is the site of two U.S. Opens and the Tournament Players Championship, and is the oldest event on the PGA TOUR still played at its original site. The tournament’s popularity dates back to 1946 when golf legend Ben Hogan won the inaugural event. Since then, a host of other golf superstars have stormed the course to win championships. Julius Boros, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Devlin, Cary Middlecoff, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, and Tom Weiskopf are just a few of the famous winners who have appeared throughout the tour’s colorful history.

Early television coverage, hosted by the USA Network, is scheduled for May 20 and 21. Saturday and Sunday coverage by Jim Nance will be served up by the CBS network. Potential spectators can get a close-up view by calling the Bank of America Colonial ticket office at 817-927-4280. Tickets may be purchased at Metroplex Bank of America banking centers, or purchase online at www.bankofamericacolonial.pgatour.com. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are not sold at course entry gates during the event.

Colonial Country Club and tournament title sponsor Bank of America honored more than 60 local charities last fall, with donations in connection with the 2003 Bank of America Colonial Golf Tournament on the PGA Tour. The contributions wrapped up a record year of more than $2.5 million in community service and charity donations for the event.

The tournament has generated cash and services for more than 100 different organizations in the last decade totaling more than $10 million. Included in 2003 was more than $600,000 generated for its primary beneficiary, Cook Children's Medical Center. “We are very proud to give back to the Fort Worth community through these great causes,” said Colonial President Jim Thigpen. "We had a record year in many areas, so it’s nice to set a record in the charity category, as well."

Colonial Country Club was named the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in Tarrant County for 2002 by the local chapter of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals (AFP).

Return to Table of Contents

This website designed, hosted and maintained for KEY Magazine Fort Worth by

...when it's time to establish an Internet presence.