Top Seniors back in area for Boeing Classic

The senior golf circus is back in town after an absence of only 3 ½ weeks.

Almost all of the stars are back, and this time the stage has wider fairways, mountain views and fewer trees.

The stakes aren't as high but the title is still prized.

The sixth Boeing Classic begins Friday at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge, 11 ½ miles from the Sahalee Country Club, site of the U.S. Senior Open that ended Aug. 1.

On that memorable Sunday, Bernhard Langer outdueled Seattle native Fred Couples to win by three strokes. In an effort to capitalize on that showdown that drew 31,144 fans, Langer and Couples are paired together in Friday's first round at 1 p.m. with Nick Price.

Boeing tournament officials say they are confident that fans are up for a second helping of over-50 golf. Added incentive? Friday is free-admission day, sponsored by Golf Galaxy, a national chain of golf stores.

There are a lot of familiar names this year at the TPC. Names such as Tom Kite, Mark O'Meara, Craig Stadler, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin and, of course, Langer and Couples. A record 16 players in the field have won PGA Tour "majors." That is only three fewer major winners than played in the Senior Open.

The total was 17 until 1986 PGA Championship winner Bob Tway withdrew Wednesday. He was replaced by Steve Haskins, son of late Texas-El Paso basketball coach Don Haskins.

Among golfers playing in the Classic for the first time are 1989 British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia and Tommy Armour III. Calcavecchia set the PGA Tour consecutive birdie record with nine straight in Canadian Open in 2009. Armour is the PGA Tour record-holder for lowest 72-hole score of 254 with a 64-62-63-65 at 2003 Valero Texas Open.

Notes

• The entry fee for a foursome in the Korean Air Pro-Am that started Wednesday cost $8,000 for one day or $16,000 for both days. An auction was held at the pairings party Tuesday at Qwest Field for the right for a foursome to play with Fred Couples on Wednesday, and the winning bid by Mark Selland of BIT Statement Processing was $12,000. One of golfers in the group suffered a leg injury on his second shot on the first hole and was replaced by Boeing Classic intern Katie Saucier, who plays on the UW golf team.

• Gary Locke, former Washington governor and current U.S. Secretary of Commerce, played in the morning round of the Pro-Am. He was a guest of the tournament, and his group included pro Gary Hallberg.