KEY Magazine Fort Worth

The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club
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This year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial is another can’t miss rite of spring in Fort Worth. May 21-27 are the dates for this year’s prestigious event. The championship’s $6 million purse is bringing in many top ranked and well-known golfers from around the world. At press time, pros who have committed to play include defending champion Tim Herron, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Bernhard Langer, Justin Leonard, Shigeki Maruyama, David Toms, Rory Sabbatini, Justin Rose and Scott Verplank to name a few.

The list features 27 tournament winners so far from 2006-07. In addition to Herron, other Colonial champions returning to play in the 61st championship include Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, Kenny Perry, David Frost, Keith Clearwater, Olin Browne, Steve Flesch, and Fulton Allem.

A special free event starting the week will feature Bubba Watson and Ryan Moore hosting the Junior Clinic, a free event catering to kids at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, May 21 at the practice range. Monday activities also include a Pro-Am with an 8 a.m. start, followed by pro practice rounds. Pros will also play practice rounds on Tuesday. Wednesday is the all day Pro-Am. The championship rounds Thursday through Sunday begin at approximately 8 a.m. each day. The Colonial Country Club golf course is often rated 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, hosts of other golf superstars have stormed the course to win championships. Julius Boros, Bruce Devlin, Cary Middlecoff, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Tom Weiskopf, Ben Crenshaw, Peter Jacobsen, Nick Price, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are just a few of the famous winners who have appeared throughout the event’s colorful history.

The tournament has generated cash and services for more than 120 different organizations in the last decade totaling more than $17 million. Over $500,000 has been raised annually since 1998 for its primary beneficiary, Cook Children’s Medical Center. Every year since 1998, the tournament has surpassed the million-dollar mark in annual charitable donations. One-day tickets cost $30 for Wednesday or Thursday, and $45 for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Admission Monday and Tuesday is free. A grounds badge-good all week-costs $100. A pass to the Champions Club, a large air-conditioned hospitality tent near the main practice green, is $200 for the week. Next door to the Champions Club will be the new Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Fan Fest, presented by PGA Tour Superstore. This air-conditioned tent will be open to the public, featuring hitting bays, golf simulators and tournament souvenirs. Fans can get their fill of all the latest golf equipment and related merchandise.

Also new will be the Crowne Plaza Lobby, featuring new title sponsor Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts greeting spectators with a variety of amenities, such as Pairings Sheets and XM radios. This will be located next to the #1 fairway, several hundred yards inside the main entrance along the spectator pathway. Elsewhere, to the right of #10 fairway, will be a large, shaded concessions area, the Crowne Plaza Lounge, open to the public with plenty of food and beverage choices for spectators ready to take a break.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are not sold at the gate during the tournament. You may conveniently purchase tickets online at www.crowneplazainvitational.com or by calling 817-927-4280.

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