AUSTIN and HOUSTON, Texas -- World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Kite talks about turning 60 and recovering from early November shoulder surgery and is the cover subject of the February/March 2010 issue of Texas Golfer Magazine, which hits the newsstands and the mailboxes of its subscribers on Feb. 15.

Kite - who returned to the Champions Tour Feb. 11 after missing the start of the 2010 campaign to rehab his surgically repaired left shoulder - discusses his career, the 2009 season, his relationship with beloved teacher Harvey Penick and his stint as captain of the 1997 Ryder Cup team, among other topics, in the extensive interview.

"On the occasion of his 60th birthday, Texas Golfer wants to celebrate Tom's long, distinguished career in golf, and wish him all the best in 2010," said George Fuller, Editor-in-Chief of Texas Golfer Magazine.

"Kite is an important link in the chain of legendary golfers to come from Texas," Fuller added. "He represents all that is good and upstanding and respectable in the game, something we need more examples of in today world. He has been successful financially, sure, but it's even more engaging to see how he plays not for the money or fame, but for the love of the game itself."

Kite spent 175 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1989 and 1994. He was the first player in PGA Tour history to reach $6 million, $7 million, $8 million and $9 million in career earnings; he was the Tour's leading money-winner in 1981 and 1989.

Asked by TEXAS GOLFER about how it feels to be 60 years of age, Kite said "I hope it feels different than being 59. 2009 was a rough year golf-wise for me, as I was struggling with a shoulder injury and consequently my year was very up and down. I didn't play well except for a couple of weeks. It was one of the worst years I have had in a long time."

Despite the pain from the injury, Kite managed to play all 25 tournaments throughout the 2009 Champions Tour season and was still able to amass $848,871 in earnings on the strength of seven top-10 and 17 top-25 finishes.

The procedure in Kite's shoulder was performed Nov. 4 in Birmingham, Alabama by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who is widely considered one of the foremost surgeons in the United States for knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.

Soon after the surgery, Kite began physical therapy sessions that included stretching for flexibility and weight-resistance work for strength and well as intense massage to break down the scar tissue built up from the injury.

"I am hoping 2010 will be a year that I can play injury-free and healthy for the first time in a couple of years and allow me to really attack the golf courses," Kite said in the interview.

About Tom Kite:
Tom Kite's playing career could be described as one of tremendous success and consistency. Growing up under the guidance of Hall of Fame instructor Harvey Penick, Kite had an impressive amateur career. At the University of Texas, he captained two NCAA championship teams and was co-medalist at the 1972 NCAA Tournament. He represented the United States in the 1970 Eisenhower Cup Matches and the 1971 Walker Cup before turning professional in 1973.

Kite's professional career includes wins in 19 official PGA Tour tournaments, with his most memorable victory at the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. From 1989 to 1995, Kite was the career leading money winner on the PGA Tour, and he spent 175 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1989 and 1994.

Kite has been a member of seven U.S. Ryder Cup teams and was the captain of the 1997 team. In 1979, the USGA bestowed their highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, to Kite for his sportsmanship. He has won two Vardon Trophies (1981, 1982) for low scoring average and was named Player of the Year in 1981 and 1989.

After turning 50, Kite has focused on the Champions Tour winning an additional 10 events including one major championship, the Tradition, and - most recently - the Boeing Classic in 2008. In 2004, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, joining an elite list of greats who have played the game.

About Tom Kite Design:
For more than 35 years, Tom Kite has played and studied most of the greatest golf courses in the world, and in the early 1990s he decided to take his love of playing golf and use it to begin work designing golf courses.

Kite has now designed 12 courses with another two in the construction phase. He utilizes his vast experience and knowledge of the game of golf in each of his design projects with the goal of creating a high-level course that is capable of hosting a PGA Tour event and yet is enjoyable and playable for all skill levels.

Kite is highly selective with the projects he accepts and remains actively involved throughout the construction and grow-in phases of the development to insure the integrity of the design is maintained. Site visits with the contractors and owners are scheduled as often as necessary to review and refine the work in progress. He acts not only as the architect but also as the owner's representative in dealing with contractors, engineers and environmentalists.

Kite's completed projects, both individually and in conjunction with some of the world's top designers, include:

Liberty National Golf Club (Jersey City, NJ)
Trump International Golf Club (Puerto Rico)
Vanderbilt Legends Club (Nashville, TN)
Gaillardia Country Club (Oklahoma City, OK)
Somersett Country Club (Reno, NV)
The Club at Comanche Trace (Kerrville, TX)
Eagle Ridge Golf Club (Garner, NC)
Baltimore Country Club (Baltimore, MD)
Riverplace County Club (Austin, TX)
The Legends at LBJ Golf Club (Kingsland, TX)

About TEXAS GOLFER Magazine:
Since 1984, TEXAS GOLFER Magazine has chronicled all that is golf in Texas. As a leisure publication, TEXAS GOLFER Magazine continues to be an indispensable authority on golf in the state and beyond, covering travel, resorts, training, rules, private clubs and profiles of the hottest PGA and LPGA stars.

TEXAS GOLFER Magazine is geared primarily to "upscale" golfers throughout the state of Texas who live and love the game and the lifestyle that surrounds it. The magazine's interviews, profiles, reviews and articles capture the wonderful people our writers meet in golf and the magnificent places they play through insightful reporting, vivid photography and contemporary design.

In addition to focusing on the game itself (equipment, professional tours, instruction)
TEXAS GOLFER Magazine fuels its readers' passion for the "spirit of the game" and the luxury lifestyle that draws us to it. This coverage embraces resorts, spas, food, wine and spirits, cigars, fashion, electronics, vacation homes, automobiles, jewelry and other luxury products.

Media Contact:
Steve Habel
512-535-6120 (direct)
512-699-2133 (cell)
stevehabel@hotmail.com
tomkitemedia@aol.com