From staff, wire reports
For The Register-Herald
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Sergio Garcia, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour with an additional 11 victories internationally, became the first player to commit to The Greenbrier Classic on Tuesday, the newest addition to the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup schedule.
“I’m very excited about The Greenbrier Classic being added to the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup schedule and look forward to being a part of it,” said Garcia. “I know that The Greenbrier has an incredible history and is recognized as one of the great golf resorts in the world. Coming to West Virginia, to play such an important tournament, will already be something that means a lot to the players, but to play at a resort so rich in tradition will make it even more special.”
Garcia, currently ranked 15th in the world, first captured the imagination of golf fans around the world at the 1999 PGA Championship where the 19-year old Spaniard dueled with Tiger Woods down the stretch, eventually finishing second in his first major championship as a pro. Garcia has gone on to become one of the most popular, and proficient, players in golf with his most recent victories coming at the 2008 Players Championship and later that same year at the HSBC Champions on the European Tour. Garcia has also established himself as one of the top players in Ryder Cup play, boasting a 14-3-3 record in five appearances for the European team.
“Sergio is a phenomenal and charismatic player and we are thrilled that he has committed to play in The Greenbrier Classic,” said Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier. “He has long been one of the top players in the world, and we know that the fans will look forward to welcoming him, and his fellow PGA Tour players, when they come to West Virginia this summer. The Greenbrier Classic will be the culmination of a long-time dream to bring professional golf back to West Virginia, and it’s exciting to see that dream coming true.”
The historic West Virginia resort will sponsor and host The Greenbrier Classic the week of July 26-August 1, with The Old White Course, The Greenbrier’s original of three golf courses, serving as the site of the tournament. The event will feature a field of 156 players competing for a $6 million purse.
The Old White Course, measuring over 7,000 yards and playing to par 70, was originally designed by Charles Blair MacDonald in 1914 and was recently restored to its original design by Lester George. Over the years, many of the game’s greatest players, including Sam Snead, Tom Watson, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino have graced The Greenbrier’s fairways. World Golf Hall of Fame member Snead, the winningest player in PGA Tour history, was the resort’s pro for 29 years and served as Golf Professional Emeritus from 1993 until his death in 2002. Tom Watson became The Greenbrier’s second Golf Professional Emeritus in 2005.
Weekly badges for The Greenbrier Classic are available at www.greenbrierclassic.com.
