Crowne Plaza Invitational Tournament Notes 2012
2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Notes
Dates: May 21-17, 2012
Where: Colonial Country Club; Fort Worth, TX
Par/Yards: 35-35—70/7,204
Field: 123
Defending Champion: David Toms
Purse: $6,400,000
Winner’s Share: $1,152,000
Format: 72-hole stroke play
Twitter: @CrownePlazaInv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colonial
How the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial was won in 2011:
Tied with Charlie Wi at 13-under through 10 holes during the final round of the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, David Toms holed out his third shot on the par-5 11th hole from 87 yards for eagle en route to a one-stroke win over Wi.
More on David Toms and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Toms victory at Colonial in 2011 was his 13th PGA TOUR victory and came at the age of 44 years, 4 months and 18 days.
With a win at Colonial one week after dropping a playoff at THE PLAYERS, Toms became the first player to lose a playoff one week and win the next week since Phil Mickelson lost in a playoff to Jesper Parnevik at the 2000 HP Byron Nelson Championship and then went on to win at Colonial the following week.
The appearance at the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial was Toms’ 48th overall PGA TOUR start in Texas—and his first win. His previous-best Texas performance was a tie for second at Colonial in 2002, where he’s played 14 times.
In 2002, the year Toms tied for second with Kenny Perry, Toms shot 64-66 on the weekend and still finished five strokes behind Nick Price.
In 2011, Toms played Colonial Country Club’s “Horrible Horseshoe” in even-par. He was 1-over on No. 3, 1-under on No. 4 and even on No. 5.
In 2011, Toms equaled the best opening 36-hole score on the PGA TOUR (dating to 1970) with rounds of 62-62 and opened the tournament with 37 consecutive bogey-free holes.
Toms is seeking to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win back-to-back Colonials, with Hogan performing the feat twice (1946-47 and 1952-53).
Together, Anything’s Possible at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
As the PGA TOUR nears the $2 billion mark in charitable giving, the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial remains a leader in giving back to communities, raising more than $6 million in 2011 alone for Tarrant County charities. Over 100 Tarrant Charities benefit from the Fort Worth’s and county’s most charitable event, with Cook Children’s Hospital its primary beneficiary. Tracing its roots back to 1918, Cook Children’s embraces an inspiring promise – to improve the health of every child in its region through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.
FedExCup and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Six players inside the top 10 in the FedExCup standings are in the field, including points leader Jason Dufner, Hunter Mahan (2), PLAYERS champion Matt Kuchar (6), Carl Pettersson (7), Johnson Wagner (8) and Rickie Fowler (9).
Last year, David Toms carried his win to an eventual 20th place finish in the FedExCup.
A glance at the field
Ten of the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Rankings are in the field (as of May 21 rankings): Matt Kuchar (5); Hunter Mahan (6), Jason Dufner (14), Louis Oosthuizen (15), Rickie Fowler (20), Bill Haas (21), Sergio Garcia (22), Nick Watney (26), Zach Johnson (27) and Bo Van Pelt (30).
Nine past champions of the event: David Toms (2011), Zach Johnson (2010), Rory Sabbatini (2007), Tim Herron (2006), Steve Flesch (2004), Sergio Garcia (2001), Corey Pavin (1985, 1996), Fulton Allem (1993) and Keith Clearwater (1987).
11 PGA TOUR winners in 2012 (13 wins): Johnson Wagner (Sony Open in Hawaii), Mark Wilson (Humana Challenge), Kyle Stanley (Waste Management Phoenix Open), Bill Haas (Northern Trust Open), Hunter Mahan (World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Shell Houston Open), George McNeill (Puerto Rico Open), John Huh (Mayakoba Golf Classic), Carl Pettersson (RBC Heritage), Jason Dufner (Zurich Classic of New Orleans, HP Byron Nelson Championship), Rickie Fowler (Wells Fargo Championship), Matt Kuchar (THE PLAYERS).
Multiple PGA TOUR winners, led by 34-time winner Vijay Singh, Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III (20), Jim Furyk (16), Corey Pavin (15), defending champion David Toms (13), Justin Leonard (12).
Corey Pavin will be making his 29th career start at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial this year, with wins in 1985 and 1996. He has played the event every year dating back to his first start in 1984. Last year he missed the cut for just the fourth time. He owns eight top 10s at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, while Ben Hogan leads in all-time top 10s here with 15.
THE PLAYERS champion Matt Kuchar has never missed a cut in five starts at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial (T36-2007, 9-2008, T27-2009, T56-2010, T16-2011).
Wells Fargo Championship winner and THE PLAYERS runner-up Rickie Fowler will make his third start at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial (T38-2010, T16-2011).
1987 champion Keith Clearwater will be making his 25th start at the event.
U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III will be teeing it up for the 23rd time at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, with runner-up finishes in 1987 and 2000. It will be his 650th official PGA TOUR start.
Scott Verplank will be playing for the 22nd time in this event. He finished T5 in his last start at Colonial in 2010, one of two top-10 finishes (T7-2007).
Sergio Garcia will be making his seventh start (T16-2011, 2005-MC, 2004-T35, 2003-MC, 2002-MC, 2001-1) at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and first since 2005. In 2001, he fired rounds of 69-69-66-63 to win by two strokes over Phil Mickelson and Brian Gay, after having entered the final round five strokes behind Mickelson and Brett Quigley.
Miscellaneous Tournament Notes
Zach Johnson set the 72-hole tournament (65-66-64-64—259) at the 2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial to finish at 21-under-par. It was his seventh PGA TOUR victory. The previous tournament record was set by Kenny Perry who shot 261 in both his victories in 2003 and 2005. The four-round score of 259 is also a personal best for Johnson, who shot 261 to win the 2008 Valero Texas Open.
The Colonial CC course record is 61, set by Chad Campbell (2004), Justin Leonard (2003), Kenny Perry (2003), Greg Kraft (1999), Keith Clearwater (1993) and Lee Janzen (1993).
Colonial shows its teeth over the stretch of holes from Nos. 3-5, known as the “Horrible Horseshoe.” In 2011, the holes played fourth (4.117), sixth (3.099) and most-difficult (4.247), respectively.
Over the past 10 years, Steve Stricker (2009), Zach Johnson (2010) and David Toms (2011) are the only come-from-behind winners at Colonial. Prior to those three, the last come-from-behind winner at Colonial was Sergio Garcia in 2001, who made up a five-shot deficit to defeat Phil Mickelson.
In the 64-year history of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, the 54-hole leader/co-leader has gone on to claim victory 34 times.
Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial one of the TOUR’s longest running events
The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial dates back to 1946 and holds the distinction of being the longest-run event on the PGA TOUR to be contested on the same layout, and the 10th oldest overall. Since its inception in 1946, the Invitational has produced an impressive list of champions that few other events can match, with such legends as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer having donned the Scottish royal tartan plaid jacket. The TOUR’s oldest events are as follows:
(Note: The BMW Championship is the Western Open of yore)
Colonial Country Club is a traditional layout that was built in 1936. Its fame skyrocketed after hosting the 1941 U.S. Open, marking the first time the USGA had hosted their premier event south of the Mason-Dixon Line. That tournament, won by Craig Wood, was such a success that it spawned the creation of what is now the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in 1946. Among the highlights of the famed club are:
Colonial Country Club recently celebrated its jubilee 75th anniversary in 2011
Hometown favorite Ben Hogan winning the first two Invitationals on his way to a career-total five wins at the event, earning it the nickname “Hogan’s Alley”.
No other course has hosted a U.S. Open (1941), PLAYERS Championship (1975) and annual PGA TOUR event (1946-present).
Wall of Champions located on the first tee, honoring the name and score of each champion dating back to the 1941 U.S. Open. The Wall was erected in 1975 prior to THE PLAYERS.
“Champions Choice” Invitation
Every year, past champions of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial select two deserving young players to compete in the event, who otherwise would not have been eligible. It’s a unique TOUR tradition known as the “Champions’ Choice” invitation. Pros who made their first start at Colonial as a Champion’s Choice include Tom Weiskopf, Craig Stadler, Curtis Strange, Mark O’Meara, Paul Azinger and Davis Love III. Dave Stockton won the event as a Champions Choice in 1967 and five other choices have eventually won the event during their careers. This year’s recipients are Erik Compton and Billy Hurley III.
Source: PGA Tour
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Crowne Plaza Invitational TV and Radio Times
U.S. TV Coverage (EST)
5/24, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. GOLF
5/25, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. GOLF
5/26, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. CBS
5/27, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. CBS
SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (EST)
5/24, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
5/25, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
5/26, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
5/27, 12:00- 6:00 p.m
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GolfSmith Memorial Day Deal
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Crowne Plaza Colonial Invitational History and Winner’s List
History and Past Winners Past Results of the Colonial Invitational
Unlike Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson, there’s no tournament named for Ben Hogan. But if there was one, it would be The Colonial. Hogan won here at the Colonial Invitational five times (1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1959) and considered the Colonial Country Club his home course.
The genesis and inspiration for the Colonial Invitational was the 1941 US Open, which was held at Colonial Country Club. It was the first US Open held south of the Mason-Dixon line, and was thought a huge success. Local organizers hoped to capitalize on that goodwill, and in 1946 launched The Colonial Invitational.
Much of the appeal of the Colonial is that it has been played on the same classic course since its inception. Indeed, it’s impossible to imagine the tournament not being held there. The club, which dates to 1936, was designed by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell and has among its memorable vistas holes that extend along the length of the Trinity River.
The Colonial National Invitational had no title sponsor until 1988, when it became the MasterCard Colonial Invitational. In 2003, it was picked up by Bank of America. In 2007, it became the Crown Plaza Invitational At Colonial. The current purse is $6,200,000, with $1,116,000 going to the winner.
The Colonial winners’ list looks like a Hall of Fame roster. In addition to Hogan, there’s Palmer, Snead, Casper, Bolt, De Vicenzo, Stockton, Crenshaw, Nicklaus, Price, Watson and Mickelson (Tiger is curiously absent). The strength of the winners’ roster is in part due to the strength of field: The Colonial is an Invitational, with only the top 80 players on the previous year’s money list guaranteed a spot.
A unique tradition at the Colonial is the “Champion’s Choice.” Each year, former Colonial Invitational Champions select two young players to join the field who otherwise would be ineligible. Among the Champions Choices were Al Greiberger, Tom Weiskopf, Craig Stadler, Curtis Strange, Mark O’Meara, Paul Azinger and Davis Love. Dave Stockton won the tournament in the year he was selected.
While the Masters has the Green Jacket, the Colonial offers a Scottish tartan plaid jacket for its champions and committee chairmen. The tournament and Colonial Golf club also is marked by the engraved marble Wall of Champions near the first tee, which features the name and score of each of the tournament’s winners.
A random note: In 2003, Annika Sorenstam played the Colonial Invitational, becoming the first women to play a PGA Tour event since Babe Zaharias entered the Los Angeles Open.
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The Greatest Round Ever Played?
Golf pro Rhein Gibson shot a sixteen-under 55 Saturday, May 12, 2012 at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. Twelve birdies and two eagles.
Holy smokes.
Annika Sorenstam has for years promoted a “Vision 54” in which she contends that a “perfect round” of 54 is possible (You can read a review of one of her Vision 54 books here). This is as close to that perfection as I’ve ever heard of—unless you want to count the scramble score of the winning team at our annual teachers’ golf outing a couple of years ago. They were 18 under.
The closest anyone has gotten to this score was the 55 shot by Homero Blancas. Blancas, a member of the University of Houston golf team, shot a 55 in a tournament on August 19, 1962. That round has an asterisk beside it, however, because it was a par 70 course measuring just over 5,000 yards.
Gibson’s round was at a 6698-yard par-71 course.
Gibson, 26, is an Australian professional who calls the River Oaks Club home after spending his college years at Oklahoma Christian. He plays on the Golfweek National Pro Tour while waiting for his shot at the PGA Tour.
Scores of 56, 57 and 58 have been posted by various players over the years, mostly in non competitive situations.
The lowest shot in competition were 58s shot by Shigeki Maruyama, Jason Bohn and Ryo Ishikawa.
Maruyama shot a 58 in a 2000 US Open Section Qualifier. Bohn’s 58 came in the final round of the 2001 Canadian Tour Bayer Championship. Ishikawa met that mark in the 2010 Crowns Tournament on the Japan Tour.
The 55 shot by Gibson was—as far as I can tell—not in a competition. But it is incredibly impressive nonetheless. Still, the skeptic in me says that this has to be a hoax ...
The scorecard shown above was posted on the Reddit Golf Forum.
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Louis Vuitton Golf Bag
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Scorecard Error Costs Oregon Golfer Shot At History
Here’s the sad story of a high school golfer whose carelessness with the scorecard cost her a chance at being the state title winner four years in a row
Eugene (Ore.) Churchill High girls golfer Caroline Inglis was on the cusp of history. After winning the Oregon Scholastic Activities Association Class 5A state tournament during each of her first three years, Inglis finished the final round of the 2012 state tournament with a 3-under 69, a score that completed a dominant performance that was nine shots better than anyone else in the tournament.
All Inglis had to do to ensure history would be made was sign her scorecard. As it turns out, that’s precisely what got her in trouble.
I really feel sorry for the girl in the story. I’m sure that—caught up in the excitement—Inglis was not thinking in a calm and collected manner. Today’s high schoolers—even Seniors—don’t think as logically or clearly as adults would like under the best of circumstances. In fact, if there’s a way for a high school student to do something stupid, my experience is that you can’t rule out them doing it.
Given that it was a high school tournament and that the people running it should know a thing or two about the adolescent mind, there should have been strict procedures in place to prevent this sort of catastrophe. An adult or three need to be available to sit the girls down and slowly go over the cards before allowing them to sign it.
Lack of adult supervision not only diminished Inglis’ accomplishment, but also the victory of the default winner. It further diminished the entire tournament. I blame the adults for this one.
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