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Posted: Mar 26, 2020 7:36 AMUpdated: Mar 26, 2020 8:36 AM
Today in Oklahoma Sports History - 3/26
Today in Oklahoma Sports History… On March 26, 2006 that Stephen Ames won the Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida.
The Player’s Championship is not a major, but is considered to be one of the biggest tournaments on the PGA Tour. The event is owned by the PGA and has been at TPC Sawgrass since 1982. TPC Sawgrass is home to the “Island Green” on No. 17. Its current purse is 15-million dollars.
There are several Oklahoma connections both to the 2006 championship, and the event in general.
Former Oklahomans have won the tournament several times: Rickie Fowler, an Oklahoma State Cowboy, most recently in 2014. Fowler edged out Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner for the title. Fowler was in Stillwater from 2007-2009.
A former Oklahoma Sooner in Craig Perks won the event in 2002. Perks is a New Zealander who turned professional in 1993. He split time between OU and Louisiana Layfette during his college career.
As far as the 2006 Player’s Championship, a former Poke in Bo Van Pelt finished 10th in that year’s tournament. The championship for Ames came over Retief Goosen, who was the runner-up.
Goosen has two major championships, winning the US Open in 2004, and in 2001… when it was played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, which has many Bartlesville ties. (Land donated by Waite Phillips) (Designed by Perry Maxwell, who also designed Hillcrest CC) (Cary Cozby head professional)
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