Regions Charity Classic
The Regions Charity Classic (formerly the Bruno's Memorial Classic) is a marquee event on the USPGA's "Champions Tour" (formerly the "Senior Tour") established by the Bruno family in 1992. The Bruno's Memorial Classic was named in honor of Angelo and Lee Bruno, family members who died in a plane crash just after the first tournament was announced. The first 14 tournaments were held at the Greystone Golf and Country Club. 2006 brought a new title sponsor, Regions Bank, and a new venue, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course at the Ross Bridge Resort. Since 1992 the tournament has raised more than $8.3 million for its charitable foundation, now called the Regions Charity Classic Foundation. Ronnie Bruno is president of the foundation and the Bruno family holds four seats while Regions Financial Corporation appointed six members.
2006
The 2006 Regions Charity Classic will be held at Ross Bridge on May 3-7. It will be nationally televised on the Golf Channel. The purse is $1.6 million.
Notable participants include former champions Jay Sigel, Hubert Green, Larry Nelson, Hale Irwin, Bruce Fleisher, John Jacobs, Graham Marsh, Larry Nelson, Jay Sigel and D. A. Weibring along with notable golfers Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Tom Kite, Jerry Pate, J. C. Snead, Craig Stadler, Curtis Strange, Lee Trevino, and crowd-favorite Chi-Chi Rodriguez, making his first tour start since 2004. The field totals around 80 players.
Principal sponsors of the event are Regions Bank, Bruno's, Cingular, Delta Air Lines, the Andrews Institute, NCR Corporation, the City of Hoover, the Hoover Chamber of Commerce, and Luckie Advertising
Champions
- 2006, Brad Bryant (17 under, 199)
- 2005, D. A. Weibring (15 under, 201)
- 2004, Bruce Fleisher (7 stroke victory)
- 2003, Tom Jenkins
- 2002, Sammy Rachels (15 under)
- 2001, Hale Irwin (21 under)
- 2000, John Jacobs
- 1999, Larry Nelson
- 1998, Hubert Green (13 under)
- 1997, Jay Sigel
- 1996, John Bland
- 1995, Graham Marsh (201 total)
- 1994, Jim Dent (201 total)
- 1993, Bob Murphy (203 total)
- 1992, George Archer
References
- Ray, Tiffany (April 21, 2006) "Regions, Ross Bridge lay claim to golf classic." Birmingham Business Journal.
External links
- Regions Charity Classic website