PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Defending Champion Mike Reid of Provo, Utah, who stunned golf’s veteran statesmen by his comeback victory in 2005, will be joined by five past Champions in challenging one of the country’s most formidable layouts in the 67th Senior PGA Championship, May 22-25, 2006, at Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Okla.
Reid, who made the 2005 Senior PGA Championship his first victory as a member of the Champions Tour, will be joined by four-time Senior PGA Champion Hale Irwin (1996-1998, 2004), Tom Wargo (1993), Raymond Floyd (1995), Tom Watson (2001) and Oak Tree resident Doug Tewell (2000).
With a Wednesday, April 12, 2006, entry deadline, the early commitment list in the premier 156-player field features 10 major champions who have combined to win 26 majors.
Watson heads the major champion roster, having won eight major titles, including five British Open Championships. Other major champions who will be challenged by the Pete Dye-designed Oak Tree Golf Club include: Floyd, Hubert Green, Irwin, Tom Kite, Larry Nelson, Andy North, Jerry Pate, Craig Stadler and Curtis Strange.
Irwin, who has won U.S. Open Championships in 1974, ’79 and ’90, is second in Senior PGA Championship success with four titles, behind legendary six-time winner Sam Snead.
Oak Tree Golf Club is the first course in Oklahoma to host a Senior PGA Championship. Yet, the layout was also the site of the 1988 PGA Championship, won by Jeff Sluman. Oak Tree Golf Club also has hosted the 1978-1979 Round of Champions, 1980 PGA Cup, 1984 U.S. Amateur Championship and the 2000 PGA Professional National Championship.
The Senior PGA Championship was begun in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club at the invitation of legendary Bobby Jones, and has since featured the game’s legendary stars that have reached the age of 50.
Tickets to the 67th Senior PGA Championship are available by calling 800-PGA-GOLF (742-4653), or by visiting www.seniorPGA2006.com.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game.
-- The Senior PGA Championship Field (as of March 21, 2006) --
Major Champions: (10)
Raymond Floyd (PGA Championship, The Masters, U.S. Open)
Hubert Green (U.S. Open, PGA Championship)
Hale Irwin (U.S. Open)
Tom Kite (U.S. Open)
Larry Nelson (U.S. Open, PGA Championship)
Andy North (U.S. Open)
Jerry Pate (U.S. Open)
Craig Stadler (The Masters)
Curtis Strange (U.S. Open)
Tom Watson (The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open)
Senior PGA Champions: (6)
Raymond Floyd (1995)
Hale Irwin (1996, 1997, 1998, 2004)
Mike Reid (2005)
Doug Tewell (2000)
Tom Wargo (1993)
Tom Watson (2001)
British Open (1)
Tom Watson (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983)
The Masters (3)
Raymond Floyd (1976)
Craig Stadler (1982)
Tom Watson (1977, 1981)
U.S. Open (9)
Raymond Floyd (1986)
Hubert Green (1977)
Hale Irwin (1974, 1979, 1990)
Tom Kite (1992)
Larry Nelson (1983)
Andy North (1978, 1985)
Jerry Pate (1976)
Curtis Strange (1988, 1989)
Tom Watson (1982)
PGA Championship (3)
Raymond Floyd (1969, 1982)
Hubert Green (1985)
Larry Nelson (1981, 1987)
