ABOVE: Shaw Charity Classic looking to raise the bar for this year’s event
Golf major championship winners Mark O’Meara and Ian Woosnam, and American Peter Jacobsen, best known for his humorous work as a television commentator, are joining the field for the third annual Shaw Charity Classic.
The Champions Tour tournament for the best pro golfers over 50 comes to Calgary’s Canyon Meadows starting Aug. 7, with pre-tournament events commencing Aug. 5.
O’Meara, a regular at the event since it started in 2013, will be appearing after his election to the World Golf Hall of Fame in July, while Jacobsen and Woosnam are making their first appearances.
“The Shaw Charity Classic remains committed to improving our field and event experience each year,” said Sean Van Kesteren, tournament director for the Shaw Charity Classic. “These three names are synonymous with the greatest golf names in the world, and I can’t think of a better way to officially kick off the golf season here in Calgary then by adding these international stars to our field.”
Above Watch: Mark O’Meara, Ian Woosnam, and Peter Jacobens are joining the field for the third annual Shaw Charity Classic. Kevin Smith has more.
O’Meara, best known for his incredible 1998 season that saw him win the Masters and the British Open, is a huge fan of the tournament and Calgary.
“There is still a tremendous buzz on tour about the success of the Shaw Charity Classic. Calgary is a wonderful place, an incredible city. I love the Rockies and I’m excited to return this year,” said O’Meara.
“The crowds are so enthusiastic that come out and support this event in Canada. I know all the players are excited to have the opportunity to come there and play, and I hope the fans will come out and support us again.”
Woosnam, a former Ryder Cup captain, has 48 worldwide wins, including the 1991 Masters. The diminutive Welshman led the European Ryder Cup team to a win in 2006, and won his first Champions Tour tournament this year.
“I knew my game was coming around. I have played some great golf and I was fortunate to hole that long putt on the first playoff hole, and now be exempt for the next year,” said Woosnam, who won the Insperity Invitational on the Champions Tour at the start of May. “I’m excited to build on this success and have a shot at getting my first win in Canada.”
O’Meara and Woosnam will be joined by Jacobsen, best known as a TV funnyman and insightful announcer on golf telecasts for Golf Channel and NBC. A member of two Ryder Cup teams, he also won the U.S. Senior Open as a Champions Tour rookie, followed by a win at the Constellation Senior Players Championship the following year.
Last year’s Shaw Charity Classic was won in dramatic fashion by Fred Couples in a playoff over Billy Andrade.
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