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Moves to boost the Senior
Tour
Fans attending Senior PGA Tour events next year won't just have to watch out
for errant tee shots. They'll also have to keep their eyes open for flying T-shirts
as events try to become more fan-friendly.
Although the tour rejected a proposal to lower its age limit from 50, it will
give tournament organizers more authority to spice up their events to draw in
crowds. The move is designed to position the senior circuit as a more fun alternative
to the competition on the regular tour.
``The overall strategy is to get back to the fun and the accessibility of the
players,'' said Tracy West, the tournament director of the FleetBoston Classic
and a member of the senior tour's board.
``We're not going to have the ratings, and we're never going to have the spectators
that the regular tour with Tiger will. This is to differentiate the senior tour
from the regular tour.''
The senior tour started 22 years ago as a way for aging players to supplement
their incomes after turning 50 while giving fans a chance to see crowd-pleasing
old-timers like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino compete.
But as the galleries and prize money grew, and as the senior tour's pioneers
aged, it became increasingly like an older version of the regular tour. Television
ratings last year on CNBC were half what they were a year before on ESPN.
``The competition has gotten stiffer, but unfortunately sometimes the result
is the seriousness has also increased,'' West said. ``The players recognize that
now.''
Now, West said, said the tour is returning to its roots: Accessibility.
Tournaments will organize clinics and forums, where fans can compare grips
with the players. Spectators can win contests to be caddie for a day -- a practice
day. More players and caddies will be miked for television. And the gallery will
be allowed inside the ropes for the final holes after the last group on Sunday.
Also being considered are giveaways like bobble head dolls in the players'
likeness -- treats increasingly found at baseball games -- and that recent staple
of NBA timeouts, the T-shirt slingshot.
The tour also is considering a new eligibility category, which could result
in expanding the field from 78. West would not say what category would be added,
but it is expected to be an exemption for past PGA Tour winners. Current eligibility
is limited to money leaders, qualifiers and sponsor exemptions.
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