Turning Stone Resort Championship

 
 
Early Commitments Indicate Strong Field for Turning Stone Resort Championship Fred Funk and Chris DiMarco Scheduled to Appear
 
July 3, 2007
Several multiple winners, as well as a set of promising young stars, are among the PGA TOUR players scheduled to appear in the inaugural Turning Stone Resort Championship.
 
One hundred forty-four players will vie for $6 million in prize money at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, scheduled for Sept. 17-23 at the Tom Fazio-designed Atunyote Golf Club. The winner's share will be more than $1 million, making the tournament the most generous stop on the PGA TOUR Fall Series. All four rounds of the Championship will be televised on Golf Channel.  
 
"There's strong interest in our tournament among players and we're confident that we'll see a great field that will include many of the world's premier professionals," said Peter Golia, vice president of communications for the Oneida Indian Nation.
 
Here are nine players who have indicated their intentions to play:
 
Fred Funk - Enjoying tremendous success on both the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour. His 2007 resume includes a win in the Mayakoba Golf Classic on the PGA TOUR and the Champion Tour's Turtle Bay Championship, joining Craig Stadler as the only players to win on both circuits in the same season. Funk already has more than $1.5 million in combined earnings this year and is currently 44th on the PGA TOUR money list and ranks 24th on the Champions Tour. During his career, Funk has captured eight PGA Tour titles, including The PLAYERS Championship in 2005.  
           
Chris DiMarco - Has three PGA TOUR victories, but may be best known for two near-misses in consecutive major championships. In 2004, he was defeated by Vijay Singh in a playoff at the PGA Championship. In 2005, he battled Tiger Woods in The Masters, eventually losing to Woods in another playoff.
 
Woody Austin - Currently 20th on the PGA TOUR money list. He won the 2007 Stanford St. Jude Championship by firing a spectacular 62 in the final round. Austin tied for second at last weekend's Buick Open.
           
Robert Gamez - Has hoisted the winner's trophy three times on Tour and also won the prestigious Casio World Open in 1994.
 
Jason Gore - The winner of the 84 Lumber Classic in 2005, he joined the PGA Tour after a stellar career on the Nationwide Tour, where he won six times. Last weekend, he finished tied with Woody Austin and Justin Leonard at the Buick Open.
 
Rocco Mediate - The five-time winner has been plagued by back problems in recent years, but has shown signs of recovery with two top 10 finishes so far this year. He began the season as an on-course commentator for Golf Channel.                
 
Kevin Stadler - Returning to the PGA TOUR after a season on the Nationwide Tour where he finished 12th on the money list. He also won the European Tour's Johnnie Walker Classic.
 
Duffy Waldorf - The colorful player has four PGA TOUR victories.
 
Bubba Dickerson - 2001 U.S. Amateur Champion.
           
For complete details on The Turning Stone Resort Championship, log on to www.turningstonechampionship.com