Former Maryland golf coach Fred Funk, the runner-up at the 2008 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, has committed to this year’s event, tournament officials announced today. The tournament, the Champions Tour’s final major of the season, returns to historic Baltimore Country Club Sept. 28-Oct. 4.
“Fred put on a tremendous show last year when he finished one shot behind D.A. Weibring,” said Tournament Executive Director Steve Schoenfeld. “He’s a fan favorite here with his ties to the University of Maryland, and we’re thrilled he’s committed to play this year’s event.”
One of three Champions Tour regulars in the U.S. Open, along with Tom Lehman and Eduardo Romero, Funk posted rounds of 70-74-75-82 to finish 60th in his 20th U.S. Open appearance. He earned a spot in the field at Bethpage State Park after surviving a six-way playoff with a par on the fourth extra hole at the sectional qualifier in Rockville, Md.
Since turning 50 in June 2006, Funk has posted four victories on the Champions Tour and has produced five top-10 finishes so far in 2009. The Takoma Park native shot rounds of 66-68-72-66-272 in the Constellation Championship last year.
