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 | | Jordan Spieth to Defend Title at 100th Anniversary Valero Texas Open | |
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Early Player Commitments Include Eight Past Champions
Legendary Champions to Help Commemorate the Week
A Texas-sized celebration is coming to San Antonio this spring and Valero Texas Open officials announced today some past champion commitments for the 144-man field scheduled to compete in the historical PGA TOUR stop on TPC San Antonio’s The Oaks course March 28 - April 3, 2022, a week preceding The Masters tournament.
2021 champion and World No. 14 Jordan Spieth will defend his title and attempt to become the first Valero Texas Open champion to win back-to-back since fellow major championship winner Zach Johnson accomplished the feat in 2008 and 2009.
"Winning the Valero Texas Open last year was incredibly special for me and my family,” explained Spieth. “We’re really looking forward to returning to San Antonio to defend my title and the fact that it’s the 100th anniversary of the tournament makes it even more exciting.”
All eight champions returning for the 100th anniversary of the Valero Texas Open have won it in the past ten years. Joining Spieth are Corey Conners (2019), Andrew Landry (2018), Kevin Chappell (2017), Charley Hoffman (2016), Jimmy Walker (2015), Martin Laird (2013) and Brendan Steele (2011).
This group has accumulated 33 PGA TOUR career titles, including four major championships. For Conners, Landry, Chappell and Steele, the Valero Texas Open represents their first PGA TOUR title.
“As we prepare for a historic edition of the Valero Texas Open, we are delighted this incredible group of champions from over the past decade will be returning,” said Larson Segerdahl, Valero Texas Open Executive Director. “We are excited to host the best players in the world and celebrate 100 years of the tournament with the entire San Antonio community while raising charitable funds for those in need.”
In addition to those past champions competing in the tournament, several legendary players and Hall of Fame members will be on hand during tournament week to help commemorate the 100th anniversary. Deane Beman (1969 Texas Open Champion), Ben Crenshaw (1973 & 1986 Texas Open Champion), Hale Irwin (1977 Texas Open Champion), Lee Trevino (1980 Texas Open Champion) and Tom Watson (1987 Texas Open Champion) are all scheduled to appear.
Crenshaw, Trevino and Watson will be featured speakers at the tournament’s annual Night to Honor Our Heroes presented by Boeing military appreciation banquet on Friday, April 1. Sponsorships and guest tables are still available for those interested in supporting the event.
PGA TOUR players have until Friday, March 25 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time to commit and can withdraw at any time.
Tickets to the Valero Texas Open are now on sale via Ticketmaster and ValeroTexasOpen.com. As is customary, all net proceeds from the event will go to support hundreds of charity organizations throughout South Texas and well beyond.
Given the significance of this year’s historic milestone, tournament officials are planning a variety of celebratory initiatives including the following:
 | Valero Texas Open 100th Anniversary Concert presents Jason Aldean and Darius Rucker: The Valero Texas Open will host a one-of-a-kind concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary on Saturday, April 2 with the three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year,” Aldean and three-time GRAMMY award winner, Rucker. Walker County will kick off the concert following tournament play. All ticket holders attending Saturday’s third round competition will also be able to attend the concert. |  |
| 100th Anniversary History of the Texas Open: Tournament officials are collaborating with award-winning sportswriter and author Kevin Robbins, to tell the story of Texas Open from its origins to present day. This incredible commemorative volume will be complete and available for purchase in time for the tournament. | |
| Historical Golf Course Markers: Tribute historical markers will be placed at the golf courses that have hosted the tournament through the years including Brackenridge Park, Willow Springs, Fort Sam Houston, Oak Hills Country Club, La Cantera, and TPC San Antonio. These historical markers will feature the writings of Kevin Robbins highlighting the tournaments contested along with the years and storied champions for each respective course. | |
| Commemorative Artwork: Graeme Baxter, official artist to some of the world’s most important golf tournaments such as The Ryder Cup, The Open Championship and The Presidents Cup has been commissioned to paint a commemorative lithograph of Valero Texas Open‘s tournament course, The Oaks at TPC San Antonio. | |
Visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com for all tournament news, updates, information and to purchase tickets.
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| | Celebrating Willow Springs Golf Course & Our Volunteers | |
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Back in mid-December just before the holidays, Valero Texas Open officials hosted the next historical golf course dedication event, the second of six dedication events leading up to tournament week. The 100th anniversary celebration continued with a breakfast held at Willow Springs Golf Course filled with volunteers and Tournament Leadership Council (TLC) who have helped the tournament over the years.
Special remarks about the importance of volunteerism were made by Gerry Hagar, a longtime volunteer, a member of TLC, and the 2016 Tom Mabe Volunteer of The Year award recipient. Guest speaker was award-winning sportswriter and author, the University of Texas at Austin journalism associate professor of practice and sports journalist Kevin Robbins. The event concluded with the unveiling of a historical tournament course sign accepted by Andrew Peterson, President of Alamo City Golf Trails. The historical marker features the writings of Kevin Robbins highlighting the tournaments contested along with the years and storied champions contested at Willow Springs Golf Course.
Registration to volunteer this spring for the Valero Texas Open is presently open. Visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com to learn more about the various committees and to register today.
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| | Honoring Ft. Sam Houston Golf Course & Our Military | |
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Earlier this week on Tuesday, Valero Texas Open officials hosted its third of six historical golf course dedication events leading up to the tournament's 100th Anniversary event at Ft. Sam Houston Golf Course. The Valero Texas Open has the unique distinction of being the only tournament on the PGA TOUR to have been contested at a military installation. Given current restrictions at the military base due to the ongoing health crisis, a very limited number of military and Joint Base San Antonio representatives were able to participate in the unveiling of the historical sign which is now permanently displayed at the course.
Bill Rogers, who won six times on the PGA TOUR including the Texas Open and the Open Championship both in 1981, was the product of a military family and spoke to those in attendance about the influence it had in his life growing up. The historical marker features the writings of award-winning sportswriter and author, the University of Texas at Austin journalism associate professor of practice and sports journalism, Kevin Robbins. The sign was accepted by Vice Director of Joint Base San Antonio, Brian Hoffman on behalf of Brigadier General Caroline Miller.
In addition to Ft. Sam Houston Golf Course, historical markers have already been installed at Brackenridge Park Golf Course and Willow Springs Golf Course. Over the weeks ahead, historical markers will also be placed at Oak Hills Country Club, La Cantera, and TPC San Antonio.
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