Pre-Tournament Notes: Viking Classic

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IN BRIEF
What: Viking Classic
Dates: September 15-21, 2008
Where: Annandale Country Club, Annandale, Miss.
Purse: $3.6 million; $648,000 to the champion
Course: Annandale Golf Club (7,199 yards, par-72)
FIeld: 144
Format: 72-hole stroke play with a cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes
Defending Champion: Chad Campbell (70-72-64-69 -- 275)

NOTES: The PGA TOUR has an unusual week off prior to the Viking Classic, playing opposite of the Ryder Cup. The week after the Viking Classic is the FedExCup Playoffs finale at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga.

MAJOR STORYLINES

Defending Champion Chad Campbell selected to the Ryder Cup
2007 Viking Classic winner Chad Campbell will not return in 2008 to defend his title because he was selected to play as a member of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. The Ryder Cup, the biennial team event between the United States and European players, is taking place during the Viking Classic tournament week in Louisville, Ky. There are 10 players with Ryder Cup experience in the Viking Classic field.

What's at stake at the Viking Classic
It is well-known that the final weeks of the PGA TOUR season are crunch time as players are vying for spots among the top 125 on the money list. Those that are successful earn their TOUR "cards" for the following year. It is also well-known that winning a PGA TOUR earns a two-year exemption on TOUR and invitations into select events such as the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship. Lesser-known are other perks at stake during the PGA TOUR Fall Series -- a top-30 finish on the season-ending money list earns invitations to the following year's Masters and the U.S. Open, a top-20 finish on the money list earns a trip to the British Open. In addition, a top-75 finish on the money list will yield trips to several significant invitationals, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial Tournament (top-70).

PGA TOUR winners in their 20s
There have been 12 different winners (13 total) in their 20s in 2008 vs. 7 winners in their 20s for 48 events in 2007. Is the "Tiger Woods influence" that has been thrown around for years finally taking affect? Other prominent players in their 20s yet to win this year include Brandt Snedeker, Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose, Charles Howell III and Jeff Quinney. Underlined players indicate those players winning for the first time.

Viking Classic kicks off PGA TOUR Fall Series
The Viking Classic is the first tournament of the seven-event PGA TOUR Fall Series. The Fall Series will resume after next week's TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Here is the complete schedule:

ABOUT LADIES DAY
Ladies' Day presented by Baptist Health Systems - Thursday, September 18

Please join us for Ladies' Day at the Viking Classic which is sponsored by Baptist Health Systems. All ladies attending the tournament will receive free admission. Because of its culinary heritage, Viking Range Corporation will be incorporating a unique culinary flavor to the Viking Classic. There will be several activities offered in the Viking Culinary Tent, such as cooking demonstrations and a wine and cheese pairing sponsored by Ridgeland Tourism Commission. Door prizes from Viking, Baptist Health Systems, and a $1,000 Grand Prize Shopping Spree by Ridgeland Tourism Commission will be given away throughout the day. Also, gift bags containing generous samplings and discount cards will be given to all ladies who attend.

The Ladies Expo Pavilion will host various venders from across the region. Clothing displays, free health and fitness screenings, skincare and make-up vendors as well as plastic surgeon representatives will be on hand for all ladies to take advantage of on this special day. So join us for Ladies' Day at the Viking Classic for another new and exciting event just for the ladies.

Schedule of Events

11:00 a.m.--2:00 p.m. -- Ladies can come by the Driving Range to received free golf instruction from local PGA Professionals. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your shot or just learn the basics from true professionals.

11:00 a.m. -- Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstration by Guy Fieri in the Viking Culinary Tent. After winning "The Next Food Network Star" in June of 2006, Fieri successfully premiered on the Food Network with his own show, "Guy's Big Bite." He now hosts two other Food Network shows, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and "Gotta Get It." (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

1:00 p.m. -- Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstration by Cat Cora in the Viking Culinary Tent. Jackson native Cat Cora is president and founder of Chefs for Humanity, a culinary organization modeled after Doctors Without Borders. Cora made her TV debut as co-host of Food Network's "Melting Pot" with Rocco Di Spirito. Her most recent cookbook is "Cooking From the Hip." Cora made television history on Food Network's "Iron Chef America" as the first and only female Iron Chef. (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

3:00 p.m. -- Wine and Cheese Tasting hosted by Ridgeland Tourism Commission and Colony Wine Market in the Viking Culinary Tent. Sample premium wine and cheese selections while learning more about the Viking Cooking School and the Worlds of Flavor travel program. The Ridgeland Visitors Bureau will be on hand with information about local businesses, and door prizes will be awarded.

Tips for an enjoyable Ladies Day

• Dress comfortably -- casual clothing and walking shoes are appropriate at all areas of the tournament.

• Allow extra time for parking -- allow yourself plenty of time to get from your car to your tournament destination.

• Wear sunscreen -- Although there is plenty of shade in the various tents, sunscreen is always important at outdoor daytime events.

• Look for volunteers in Baptist For Women T-shirts -- they will be able to direct you to your area of interest.

KIDS DAY

Saturday, September 20th is Kid's Day at the Classic, and it's a great opportunity for golf fans to bring their children along and introduce them to the excitement of a PGA tournament. Admission is free for all children under the age of 15 entering with a paid adult.

The new Mississippi Children's Museum is sponsoring the Kid Zone, which will be open from 10:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m. Activities in the Kid Zone will reflect exhibits featured in the Mississippi Children's Museum. The main themes will be Mississippi Heritage, Literacy, Health and Nutrition, The Arts, and The World at Work. Stations will be set up where kids can enjoy face painting, games, and interactive learning. A working fire truck will also be on hand for children to explore.

After the Kid Zone closes, kids can head over to the Viking Driving Range for a Junior Golf Clinic at 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by Pepsi, the clinic will offer instruction on basic golf techniques by Pinnacle Distance Team Member Bobby Wilson. But don't expect this clinic to be staid and serious. Attendees will also get to see some spectacular distance driving and golf tricks from one of golf's finest performers.

Known as "Mr. Consistency", Bobby Wilson has been ranked as the PGA's #1 senior long driver. As a charter member of the "350 Club", which features the World's Longest Drivers, Wilson has been making headlines with his long drive prowess for over 20 years. His expertise in long drive has also landed him a spot as a commentator for ESPN telecasts, where he offers his analysis during the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships. He is an expert showman, and his performance is sure to be engaging for adults as well as children. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and prizes will be awarded.

JUNIOR PRO-AM

The Viking Classic is the only PGA TOUR tournament to hold a Junior Pro-Am, giving young players a chance to play a game of golf with highly respected PGA TOUR professionals. The BankPlus Junior Pro-Am will be held on Tuesday, September 16, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The format of the Junior Pro-Am is a shamble, and play will consist of nine holes. Each team will include four juniors and one professional player who is also playing in the Viking Classic.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

Bank Plus 18th Hill
Visitors will want to make sure they check out BankPlus Hill on the 18th Fairway. This is a great spot to take a break and have lunch, shop, or play some interactive games. A 4,000-square-foot, air-conditioned tent will offer the best place to relax with some food and beverages. With restaurants including McAlisters Deli, Tay's Barbecue, Penn's Fish House, there will be something to satisfy anyone's taste. Beer and wine will also be sold.

There is a lot to do on BankPlus Hill, with expo booths offering information on various businesses and cities. The AT&T Interactive Expo will be a favorite stop, featuring games and demos. The Merchandise Tent is also located in this area, where visitors can buy all types of Viking Classic gear from hats and t-shirts to towels and golf balls. Prints by local artist Wyatt Waters will also be sold. In addition, there will be an artist offering free caricatures drawn on the spot.

The Rough House, presented by Anheuser-Busch
The Rough House will be another favorite location for many fans. Located on the 17th Green, the Rough House tent is open throughout the tournament. It offers a sports bar atmosphere, with specialty drinks and a variety of beers as well as food concessions. The Rough House offers fans an excellent view of the tournament action, with skybox-type seating only four feet from the green. Televisions are placed throughout the space, so that guests can keep up with NCAA and NFL football while attending the tournament.

The BlueCross BlueShield Pedometer Contest
This is a great opportunity for energetic tournament fans to win premium Viking products. Each morning of the tournament, BlueCross BlueShield will hand out pedometers on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Putting Green. At the end of each day, the attendee with the most steps on his/her pedometer will be the winner of a Viking Culinary product.

"This contest encourages people to walk throughout the day, so everyone who takes part is a winner, because they are improving their health through exercise," said Tournament Director Randy Watkins. "It's also a great impetus for getting people to stay around and experience everything the tournament has to offer."

ADDITIONAL STORYLINES

D.J. Gregory continues his quest to walk every round of the PGA TOUR season
D.J. Gregory is a 30-year-old with Cerebral Palsy who is living a dream of walking each tournament course during every round of the 2008 season with a different player each week. His inspirational story involves D.J. interviewing his player Wednesday before the first round and again at the completion of each round. At the completion of play, D.J. writes a blog for PGATOUR.COM, chronicling his experience that week with that particular player. His story has picked up national and local exposure and continues to become more popular each week. A monthly blog about his travels will also appear on Southwest.com. He hopes to write a book about his experience following the season. Some of the players that D.J. has walked with this year include include Jason Bohn, Jim Furyk, Lucas Glover, J.J. Henry, Tim Herron, Jerry Kelly, Kenny Perry, Jeff Quinney, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Boo Weekley and Mark Wilson.

Growth of International Players on the PGA TOUR
With golf's popularity around the globe expanding, the PGA TOUR has experienced a large influx of international members over the past several years. The number of foreign-born players who are TOUR members has tripled in the last 10 years. Of the 79 international players on the 2008 PGA TOUR, 25 are from Australia. The following is a breakdown of the number of international players on TOUR each of the past seven seasons:

FACTS & FIGURES

The cumulative scoring average of 71.975 in 2007 was the highest in tournament history since the event moved from Hattiesburg CC to Annandale CC in 1994. The previous high was 71.902, which was set in 2006.

There has been just one wire-to-wire winner at the Viking Classic since the event became an official PGA TOUR tournament in 1994 -- John Huston (2003).

In 2006, D.J. Trahan became the sixth player to win his first PGA TOUR event at the Viking Classic since becoming an official PGA TOUR event in 1994. The others: Brian Henninger (1994), Ed Dougherty (1995), Willie Wood (1996), Cameron Beckman (2001) and Luke Donald (2002).

Chad Campbell's four-round total of 275 in 2007 tied D.J. Trahan (2006) for the highest winning score in Viking Classic history.

Four players (a total of five wins) over the age of 40 have won the Viking Classic: