By George B. Eichorn

Fifty years and counting. That’s the milestone reached by Michigan’s only annual PGA Tour event, staged at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc.

Yet there’s a pall over this golden anniversary Buick Open as Tigers Woods, the No. 1-ranked male golfer in the world, is skipping this tournament and our state as he is in a total shutdown of the sport he loves to have knee surgery. Woods also canceled an appearance earlier this week at Comerica Park where he was to stage an afternoon clinic.

Woods did not win in 2007 yet was a huge draw at Warwick Hills. Brian Bateman, ranked 408th in the world, pulled a shocking victory with a “life-changing putt” in Grand Blanc. Bateman became the first player to achieve his first PGA Tour win at the Buick Open since Tom Pernice, Jr. turned the trick in 1999.

Former Buick Open champions in the field at press time are Bateman, Woody Austin, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Billy Mayfair, Rocco Mediate, Tom Pernice Jr., Kenny Perry and Scott Verplank.

“It’s fantastic that so many former champions are committed to coming back and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the tournament with us,” said Larry Peck, Buick Golf marketing manager and Buick Open tournament chairman.

Mediate battled Woods at the recent U.S. Open in San Diego, forcing the superstar to an 18-hole playoff and one hole of sudden death before losing to the popular Woods. Mayfair, 42, has five career PGA Tour victories, including the Tour Championship in 1995. He will be playing in his 16th Buick Open. He holds the course record for nine holes when he shot a 27 on the back nine in the final round in 2001. Mayfair also shares the course record for 18 holes (with Woods) when he shot a 61 in 2001.

John Daly, Chris DiMarco, Fred Funk, Charles Howell II, Tom Lehman, Jasper Parnevik, Corey Pavin, Heath Slocum, Bob Tway and Bubba Watrson are also scheduled to compete near Flint.

Defending champ Bateman and the rest of the 2008 Buick Open field will compete for a record $5 million purse, including a $900,000 first prize and the keys to a 2008 Buick Enclave.

“Buick has long had an appreciation for excellence

whether in the perfect golf swing, or in the most elegantly crafted vehicle,” said Peck. “Our history with golf is exceptionally rich, highlighted by our 50-year long partnership with the PGA Tour, and other tournament sponsorships, including the Buick Open, Buick Invitational, and Buick Championship.”We’re also the official car of the PGA Tour and the PGA of America. So wherever you find extraordinary precision, elegance, and power, there’s a great chance, you’ll find Buick. Since 1982, we’re proud to say we’ve raised more than $9 million for charity with the help of our golf sponsorship.”

Activities at the Buick Open started Monday, June 23, with the PGA Tour players’ practice rounds and the Buick Dealers’ Monday Pro-Am. On Tuesday was more players’ practice rounds and Buick Family Golf Clinic. On Wednesday the OnStar Pro-Am was staged. The opening round is on Thursday, June 26 with subsequent rounds (two through four) Friday-Sunday, June 27-29.

All of the activities at Warwick Hills could not happen without the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers and staff personnel.

“The Buick Open has been incredibly fortunate over the years to have countless volunteers generously donate their time and ideas to the event,” said Peck. “Fortunately, all volunteer positions for 2008 have been filled.”

The inaugural Birdies for Buick Open Charities program will include 22 charities and will be administered by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint. The charities will be given the chance to raise funds by soliciting pledges from corporations and individuals. Each participating group or individual will pledge a designated amount of money for each birdie recorded at the 2008 Buick Open.

For example, if a corporation or individual pledges one dollar for each birdie recorded during the tournament, and 2,000 birdies are made during the event, that charity will raise $2,000 for their organization. A total of 1,786 birdies were recorded at the 2007 Buick Open.

Charitable partners of the Buick Open include AGA Booster Club, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, Boy Scout Troop 335, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, Clarkston Athletic Boosters, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Easter Seals, Flint Institute of Music, Flint Junior Golf Association, Goodrich Soccer Club, Grand Blanc Community Schools, Mt. Holly Ski Patrol, Sloan Museum/Flint Cultural Center, Visually Impaired Center and Whaley Children Center.

Buick Open admission is $35 for rounds Thursday through Sunday. Children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. For ticket information, call 1 (800) 878-OPEN or go to

www.buickopen.com.   Gates open at 7 a.m. Cameras are not allowed Thursday-Sunday. Coolers are not allowed on the course at any time. To reach the satellite parking locations from I-75, exit 108, Holly Rd., and head east on Holly Rd. From US-23, take exit 83 (Thompson Rd.) and follow the signs east on Thompson, north on Fenton Rd., east on Baldwin Rd., north on Saginaw St.

Buy George Eichorn’s book, “Detroit Sports Broadcasters On the Air,” for $19.99 or less at  www.amazon.com  Reach him at geichorn@yahoo.com.

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