Next week is the big event at Desert Mountain we’ve all been waiting for – the 2012 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The top 30 players on the Champions Tour money list at the conclusion of the 2012 season will be eligible to compete. The Champions Tour tournament will be played on the Cochise golf course (one of the six Jack Nicklaus courses at Desert Mountain). Many people may recall that Desert Mountain hosted another Champions Tour event, the Tradition, for 13 years between 1989 to 2001.
The event officially kicks off on Monday, October 29th, but it is not open to the public until Wednesday, October 31st when they start to play the Pro-Am sponsored by Vi at Silverstone, the newer retirement community in Scottsdale. (Note: You can review the full competition schedule at the bottom of this post.)
A tremendous amount of work and effort have gone into organizing the Charles Schwab Cup for its debut at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale. The PGA, the Schwab Cup committee and the management and residents of Desert Mountain have been working together for well over a year to insure that attendees have an exciting and enjoyable experience watching the tournament.
The event planners are anticipating attendance in the range of 35,000 to 40,000 and Championship Play rounds will be televised on the Golf Channel. In addition, they hope to raise $400,000 for charitable causes via the tournament.
This is an exciting year for the Schwab Cup as it is mathematically possible for eight players to claim the Charles Schwab Cup heading into the event. This is the closest the competition has been since 2008 when only 84 points separated Fred Funk (the leader) and Bernard Langer with 2 events remaining. Ironically, Jay Haas eventually overtook both Funk and Langer to win by 12 points.
It’s building up to be an exciting finish to the Tour and the players are excited to be returning to Desert Mountain and the Cochise Course. For golf aficionados – the Cochise Course was built in 1987 and will be set up at 7,019 yards for the tournament. You’ll enjoy following your favorite players as the Cochise course is nestled in a true desert setting.
Jack Nicklaus is very proud of Desert Mountain and the six courses he built for them that have been enjoyed for 25 years. Jack was quoted as saying, “…. Variety is the beauty of the overall golf experience there. I have said before, you would be hard-pressed to find a better golf complex in the world than Desert Mountain.”
We’ll be looking for you next week and know a good time will be had by all.
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012 CHARLES SCHWAB CUP CHAMPIONSHIP AT DESERT MOUNTAIN SCOTTSDALE
Monday, October 29
Course closed to the public.
9 am: Legends of the Game Pro-Am, shotgun start
Tuesday, October 30
Course closed to the public.
Practice rounds for Professionals
Wednesday, October 31
Course open to the public – 8 am to 5 pm.
Official Pro-Am presented by Vi at Silverstone
8:00 am – 11:00 am – Official Pro-Am competition
Thursday, November 1
Course open to the public – 9 am to 5 pm.
10:00 am (approx.): First Round, Championship Play
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Golf Channel, LIVE
Friday, November 2
Course open to the public – 9 am to 5 pm.
10:00 am (approx.): Second Round, Championship Play
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Golf Channel, LIVE
Saturday, November 3
Course open to the public – 9 am to 5 pm.
Military Appreciation Day
9:45 am: Opening Ceremony
10:00 am (approx.): Third Round, Championship Play
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Golf Channel, LIVE
Sunday, November 4
Course open to the public – 9 am to 5 pm.
10:00 am (approx.): Final Round, Championship Play
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Golf Channel, LIVE
4:15 pm (approx.): Charles Schwab Cup Championship Ceremony and Charles Schwab Cup Presentation – Immediately following play
