Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

CowtownTexas · July 27, 2006

Longest running stop on PGA Tour get's new sponsor

Future looking bright at ColonialBy CHARLES POLANSKY
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

STAR-TELEGRAM/RON T. ENNIS
Kevin Kowalski of Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts discusses their new deal with the Colonial.Now that Colonial has officially unveiled Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts as its new title sponsor, organizers and sponsors will begin working to ensure that the event remains strong into the future.

One of the main points of emphasis will be luring more of the world's top players to Colonial -- and that includes you know who.

"He is a great draw and we'd love to have him, but our focus is on getting the best possible field," said Kevin Kowalski, vice president for brand management for Crowne Plaza, referring to Tiger Woods, the world's top-ranked player. "If you look at recent history, just the last five years, it has one of the strongest fields of any PGA event.

"Yeah, you don't always get Tiger and sometimes you don't get the other top five or top 10 players. But we want to make sure we attract as many of those folks as possible rather than focus on one individual like Tiger. But certainly, we'd love to have him."

On Tuesday, Colonial officials announced at the club that Crowne Plaza had signed a six-year contract to be the tournament's title sponsor, an agreement that runs through 2012. The 2007 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial is scheduled for May 21-27 and boasts a $6 million purse. The winner of next year's Colonial will also earn 25,000 points in the new seasonlong PGA Tour FedExCup competition.

Tiger is not the only player who has been skipping Colonial.

Of the 10 players in the latest world golf rankings, only Jim Furyk (No. 4) was in this year's Colonial field. Woods last graced Hogan's Alley in 1997, when he finished fourth in his only career appearance at Colonial, which celebrated its 60th anniversary tournament this year.

Colonial tournament chairman Elliott Garsek said the two sides haven't discussed strategies that could bring Tiger back to Fort Worth. But he does know that Crowne Plaza doesn't represent any sponsorship conflicts with Woods like in the MasterCard Colonial days. Woods endorses American Express.

Chasing Tiger may ultimately prove futile, but there's another big name looming in the world of golf -- teenage wunderkind Michelle Wie, who has played in several PGA Tour events on sponsor's exemptions. In 2003, the Colonial was the center of the sports world when Annika Sorenstam became the first woman since 1945 to appear in a PGA event.

Kowalski said Tuesday that inviting Wie had not been discussed.

"Obviously, we want awareness and exposure, but we don't want to do it through sensationalism or other things that might violate some things about our partnership," he said. "Certainly, all things are in play at this point because it's a new relationship, but part of the strength of this event is its heritage and history. We wouldn't do anything to put that in question."

Crowne Plaza is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, which has seven brands, including Holiday Inn Resorts and Hotels, Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites. Crowne Plaza has 243 hotels and resorts in 48 countries.

The 10, but when?

Top 10 players in World Golf Rankings, number of Colonial appearances and last appearance:

Tiger Woods 1 1997
Phil Mickelson 12 2005
Vijay Singh 6 2002
Jim Furyk 11 2006
Retief Goosen 0 N/A
Adam Scott 0 N/A
Ernie Els 2 1996
Geoff Ogilvy 5 2005
Sergio Garcia 5 2005
Luke Donald 3 2004

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Charles Polansky, 817-548-5514 [email protected]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/golf/15125359.htm

samm980 · July 27, 2006

Hopefully the new title sponsor will get Tiger back at Colonial.

DougnDallas · July 27, 2006

I LOVE Colonial- I've been to 7 Masters in a row and visiting ANGC has Really made me appreciate what we are so blessed to have here in DFW. A great walk whether you are playing or not. One of the best deals in sports is to take the day off and got to Colonial on a Tuesday! Especially the week after you have walked around TPC - Las Colinas.

As Feherty says... The first thing a golf course should be is a good walk!

CowtownTexas · July 27, 2006

I always appreciate kind words about Colonial as I have loved the place all my life. Everyone I've talked with is very excited about the new sponsor and are looking forward to what all hope is a long, friendly relationship.

I've only been over to the Nelson one time and didn't last long. I like to drink a beer or two while I watch golf and they don't allow that over in Dallas. Even then, as much walking as you have to do to watch golf on those courses, water or Gatorade might be a better beverage choice.

Colonial is probably the last of it's kind in that it's a volunteer-run tournament at an old, traditional golf course. It's a course that comes under fire for being too short or too tight. The supposed reputation that "bombers" can't play there (even though some have won there and many have had high finishes).

It's still the same course that all of golf's legends walked over the years. The wall of champions is a who's-who of golf history from Hogan to Snead to Palmer to Nicklaus to Trevino to Price to Watson (out of order on purpose) to Mickleson with Casper's, Crenshaw's, Zoeller's, Perry's and Garcia's sprinkled in between. There's a reason Mr. Hogan once said that a straight ball will get you in more trouble at Colonial than any other course.

I'm just very happy that Crowne Plaza was able to see all the things I love about Colonial. I hope that many of you will make a visit to our fine city or watch the tournament on TV and hopefully get a feel for all we have to offer.