KEY Magazine Fort Worth

The Crown Invitational at Colonial

This year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial is another can’t miss rite of spring in Fort Worth. May 25-31 are the dates for this year’s prestigious event. The championship’s $6.2 million purse and world-famous golf course are bringing in many top ranked and well-known golfers from around the world. At press time, top pros who have committed to play include defending champion Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Geoff Ogilvy, Paul Casey, Steve Stricker, J.B. Holmes, Bubba Watson, Anthony Kim, Ian Poulter, Davis Love III, Kenny Perry, Justin Leonard, Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson, to name a few.

In addition to Mickelson, other Colonial champions returning to play in the 63rd championship include Perry, Rory Sabbatini, Tim Herron, Steve Flesch, Corey Pavin, Keith Clearwater, Olin Browne and others. The event will be broadcast worldwide by The Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday, and by CBS on Saturday and Sunday.

A special free event starting the week will feature two PGA TOUR players in the field and representing Nike hosting the Youth Clinic, a free event catering to kids at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, May 25 at the practice range. This great event will include a Radio Disney concert by young Disney star Savannah Outen. Monday’s 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 Crowne Plaza Pro-Am. The championship rounds Thursday through Sunday begin at approximately 7:45 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.

Detailed spectator information and parking instructions can be found at the official tournament website, www.CrownePlazaInvitational.com. The tournament has generated cash and services for more than 130 different organizations in the last decade totaling more than $25 million. Over $5 million has been raised 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 special youth ticket can be purchased online for $15 – an adult attending the tournament must accompany this child. A pass to the Champions Club, a large air-conditioned hospitality tent near the main practice green, is $200 for the week. A venue called the 13th Veranda Club offers fans the experience of a corporate skybox, overlooking the 13th green and 14th tee. Next door to the Champions Club will be the new Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial FanFest. This air-conditioned tent will be open to the public, featuring tournament souvenirs and interactive exhibits from PGA Tour partners such as Bridgestone.

Inside the main spectator entrance will be the Crowne Plaza Lobby, featuring title sponsor Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts greeting spectators with a variety of amenities, such as Pairings Sheets and scoring information. 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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