If you are a golf fan, there is probably no place you would rather want to be this week than Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley.
All this week Hayfields will be home to the Constellation Energy Classic, a Champions Tour event featuring 79 of the top golfers over the age of 50. Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Peter Jacobson, Jay Haas, Tom Kite and Jim Thorpe are just a few of the professionals set to compete in the three-round, 54-hole tournament.
However, the biggest draw at the event will be the legendary Arnold Palmer, who will be playing in his first tournament of the year. Palmer, who has won 91 tournaments, including eight majors in his career, returns to the Baltimore area 50 years after he captured the Eastern Open at Mt. Pleasant Golf Course.
“Many of golf?s greatest legends will be on hand this week,” Constellation Energy Classic tournament director Jeff Miller said. ” The neat thing about golf is that the fans are able to get up close and personal with the professionals. If you are a golf fan, you have to come out to this.”
While the actual tournament does not get under way until Friday, there will be plenty of events going on throughout the week to entertain area golf fans. This includes the McCormick Championship Pro-Am on Wednesday and Thursday, the latter of which is when Orioles shortstopCal Ripken Jr. will host a putting competition.
Along with the golf and festivities, the Constellation Energy Classic will also help raise money for area charities. Since its inception in 2003, the Classic has donated more than $1.5 million, including $827,000 last year for local Maryland charities.
However, this will be the last year for this tournament. Next fall, the Champions Tour will return to the area when the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, one of the tour?s majors, comes to Baltimore Country Club at Five Farms.
“Getting this tournament next year is a big coup for Baltimore,” Miller said.
Constellation Energy Classic
» When: Sept. 11-17.
» Where: Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley.
» Last year?s champion: Bob Gilder.
» Purse: $1.7 million.
» Ticket information: Daily practice rounds (Monday to Thursday) $10 per day; daily championship rounds (Friday to Sunday) $15 per day; week-long grounds tickets $50; clubhouse weeklong tickets $70.
» TV: Coverage will be on The Golf Channel from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
