BizSPORTS
March Gladness
Daly Adds Glitz to PGA Champions Tour Event By Steve Rivera If it’s true the third time is the charm, then the Tucson Conquistadores Classic should be a very good one this March. Tournament Chairman Shawn Carter and Tucson Conquistadores executive director Judy McDermott are preparing for Year Three of the event March 15-19. There is also a tournament Fun Run on Dec. 12. And not that the first two have been disappointments – they’ve been huge successes – but the next one at Omni Tucson National Resort’s Catalina Course should be buzzing again. It’s like a five-day party with longtime golf buddies.
There’s been some restructuring of holes to accommodate the crowd as the golfers near the finish. And bigger crowds are expected this year. One golfer who will bring excitement is the colorful and sometimes controversial John Daly, who attracts crowds wherever he goes. “How cool is that?” said McDermott, referring to Daly’s commitment to the event. It’s very likely Daly will draw a crowd. But others – Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Steve Stricker and past champion Woody Austin – will too, in addition to drawing a large audience on the
Golf Channel. They come for the golf, but they also come for the weather, the money and, well, to help the Conquistadores raise more than $500,000 for local charities. Much of the money goes to Southern Arizona kids and organizations that help them enjoy sports and activities. “We give to charity because that’s what we’re about,” said McDermott, who has been with the Conquistadores 24 years. “The thread of everything we do is giving back to the community and the kids.” McDermott wants to make it clear: “It’s not our money. It’s the commu-
1) Tucson Conquistador members Matt Kaiser, left, and James Francis present a charity check to Special Olympics at the Special Olympics Bowling Competition. 2) PGA TOUR Champions player Jeff Sluman tees off on the par 3 16th hole with the Patriots’ Outpost fans enjoying the hospitality. 3) PGA TOUR Champions fan favorite Fred Couples navigates an errant shot at the Tucson Conquistadores Classic.
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30 BizTucson
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Winter 2017
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