Outback Pro-Am to move to April in '08
Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am and Champions Tour officials announced Wednesday that the 2008 Outback Pro-Am will move from its traditional date in mid-February to April 14-20.
The 2008 event will immediately follow The Masters, traditionally an open week for the Champions Tour.
"April is a perfect time for us," tournament director Amy Hawk said Wednesday. "Not only are the days longer, which helps with the time required for our pro-am format, but we typically have our maximum 'golf' weather in April. The crowds should respond even more passionately to these changes."
Hawk also pointed out that moving the event to April provides some "separation" from the celebrity pro-am events in the PGA Tour's early schedule, such as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
"It will also give the celebrities we have been courting some breathing room in their commitments, hopefully increasing the chances of our landing some additional big names in the future," she said.
Other benefits of the change include more stable weather and a longer growing season for the TPC Tampa Bay.
