New sponsor named for Maui Skins Game
Advertiser Staff
Wendy's is the new title sponsor of the Champions Skins Game. Lee Trevino will defend his title against Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson at the 2004 tournament, Jan. 30 and 31, at Wailea's Gold Course on Maui.
The 17th edition of what is now the Wendy's Champions Skins Game includes the first nine holes of the pro-am and the first nine holes of the competition Friday. The remaining nine holes of the pro-am and competition will be Saturday.
The first half of the competition will be shown on ABC Jan. 31, with the remainder on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 1).
This is the fourth year that Wailea Resort will host the tournament.
Trevino won the Champions Skins Game for the first time this year, thwarting Hale Irwin's bid to win his fourth consecutive title. Trevino, who made a birdie on the third playoff hole, earned $240,000. Irwin finished second with $200,000, Nicklaus collected $160,000, and Palmer was shut out.
In Skins, each hole is worth a pre-determined amount of money, but the money carries over if no player wins a hole outright. The $600,000 total purse is broken down to $20,000 for each of the first six holes, $30,000 for each of the middle six holes, $40,000 each for holes 13 through 17, and $100,000 for the 18th hole.
Players donate 20 percent of their winnings to charity.
Tickets will be available this month at the Wailea Golf Club pro shops or online at skinsgamesseries.com.
Tickets also will be available closer to the event at Queen Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center, Maui Golf Shop, Nevada Bob's Golf in Kihei, Ka'anapali Golf Club and major Wailea hotels.
Admission is $20 per day. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Nicklaus, Palmer, Trevino and Gary Player have accepted sponsor exemptions to play the Champions Tour's 2004 MasterCard Championship on the Big Island.
The tournament kicks off the tour's 25th season. It will be played Jan. 23-25 at Hualalai Golf Club.
The sponsor exemption category was created last year. Up to four sponsor exemptions can be granted to exempt players with a minimum of 30 combined PGA Tour/Champions victories.
The addition of the four World Golf Hall of Famers increases the field to 40 possible competitors. Players who have won a major championship within the past five years (1999-2003) or an approved tournament within the past two years (2002-2003) also are eligible.
Tickets to the tournament are $25 (weeklong pass) and $10 (any day) and can be purchased by calling (800) 417-2770.
The tournament benefits Kona Rotary Club-Youth Scholarships and Kealakehe High School.
