MORNING CUP OF JOE (FEB. 27, 2012)

By Joe Klimas

Kenny Perry kept on running Sunday to take the 25th Annual ACE Group Classic by 5 strokes and take home $240,00 from the purse of $1.6 million at “The Silver Anniversary” event, as it returned after several years to The Twin Eagles Club. Perry stated that Naples is one of his favorite places to play, as he has won the Shark Shootout, and now The ACE Group Classic, which will return to the popular TwinEagles in 2013. As the starter on the 10th tee, quite a few of the Champions Tour players commented on the fine condition of the course, and are happy to come back. Once again. Players, the likes of Jim Colbert and Bruce Fleisher, along with many other, regaled spectators on the first and tenth tees with some great stories.

I’m not sure if it’s a tour record, but defending champion Bernhard Langer, who finished second completed a remarkable feat of eagling the 17th hole all three days, despite the 25-30 mph winds on Sunday.

Once again I must compliment the over 750 volunteers who make the event possible, especially two ladies from Naples Heritage who assisted me on the 10th tee. Alan Wolfe in the Media Center, along with the tournament staff, and the staff at Twin Eagles were of great assistance.

I eagerly look forward to the 26th event next year. Adios amigos, adieu. Thanks for another great run.

See you in 2013, if the good lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.

Perry totaled 24 birdies — two short of the tour record for a 54-hole event — and tied Allen Doyle (1999) for the largest margin of victory in the 25-year-old tournament.

On Saturday, Perry set the tour’s 36-hole scoring record with an 18 under par performance.

2012 ACE Group Classic Champion Kenny Perry

NAPLES, FL (FEB. 19, 2012) – Kenny Perry (64-62-70=196) captured his second title on the Champions Tour by dominating the field at The ACE Group Classic. Perry shot a final round two-under par to keep himself five shots clear of defending champion Bernhard Langer. This was Perry’s first victory since winning the 2011 SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC.

Perry stressed how much he enjoyed his time in Naples this week. “I love playing out here. I’ve always said that. I have a great time out here and I had a great week this week,” Perry said. “I’ve had a lot of success here in Naples. I really like Naples. I’ve enjoyed my time here.” Perry had previously won two times in Naples, teaming up with John Huston in 2005 and Scott Hoch in 2008 at the Franklin Templeton Shootout, an unofficial PGA TOUR event. This was the first time Perry competed in The ACE Group Classic, as well as his first time playing the Talon Course at TwinEagles.

Perry, who started the final round with a three shot lead over Larry Mize, had three birdies on the front nine to get him to 21-under par for the tournament. Despite two bogeys on the back nine, no one got within four shots of him. Perry totaled 24 birdies – just two short of the tour record for a 54-hole event — and tied Allen Doyle (1999) for the largest margin of victory in the 25-year history of The ACE Group Classic.

Perry also set the Champions Tour’s 36-hole scoring record in relation to par at 18-under following a 62 in Saturday’s second round. Early in the final round it looked like Perry may put himself in position to break several other tournament records. However, a bogey on the final hole dropped Perry into a tie with Langer for the tournament scoring record Langer set last year.

After two very calm days at TwinEagles, wind gusts topped 30 mph during the final round. Even with the wind, Perry was able to run away from the field. Regarding today’s windy conditions, Perry stated, “Yeah, that was pretty concerning when I got out on the range this morning, it was blowing 25 (mph). I was like oh, brother, this golf course is going to play totally different.” Despite the wind, Perry played solid golf throughout the entire round. There is no doubt that his three shot lead at the beginning of the round allowed him to play a little more conservatively. Before his final round Perry stated, “My goal was just to par every hole. My target score was pars, and if I could sneak a birdie in there every now and then, hopefully they draw interest, kind of hang on to them.”

With the win, Perry earned 240 Charles Schwab Cup points. The player earning the most Schwab Cup points throughout the Champions Tour season will receive a $1 million payout.

Langer (66-65-70=201) eagled No. 17 for the third straight day and finished in second place. Tom Lehman, the 2011 Champions Tour Player of the Year, was in second place for most of the final round, but bogeys on No. 12 and No. 17 relegated him to a tie for third. He finished at even par on the day to tie Bill Glasson (68) and Mike Goodes (69) for third. First-round leader Larry Mize was tied for second going into the last hole, but he then hit two balls into the water and dropped to seventh place with a final round 75.

For complete information on The ACE Group Classic visit www.theacegroupclassic.com.

(CADILLAC) - The Talon Course at The TwinEagles Club has many picturesque locations to catch all the action taking place at the 25th anniversary edition of Champions Tour golf in Naples at this year’s ACE Group Classic. From gleaming ponds, grassy fairways and rolling dunes, the Talon Course is truly a beaut, however on the final day of tournament week the best place see history unfolding is around the 18th green. With public bleachers, Fuzzy’s Vodka Patio and the Zig Zag Lounge Skyboxes each nestled around the green on No. 18, there’s not a bad seat in the house but for a truly unique vantage point head over to the Cadillac display across the pond from 18 green.

The backseat of the Cadillac Escalade offers a neat view unlike any other on the course, but you can also pick up some tees, ball markers and divot repair tools while learning about the latest and greatest developments in the Cadillac fleet.

(GEICO) -  Of course there are plenty of familiar faces from the Champions Tour here in Naples this week for the 25th anniversary edition of The ACE Group Classic, fan favorites including Nick Price, Hale Irwin and Corey Pavin are just a few playing to the great crowds here at The TwinEagles Club, but there’s also a recognizable reptile at the GEICO display next to the driving range.

By dropping your name and contact info you’ll be entered to win $500 in gas, sinking a couple putts at the putting green will earn you a GEICO Gecko headcover, and the closest to the pin in the shot simulator will add a Cleveland wedge to your bag.

MORNING CUP OF JOE (FEB. 19, 2012)

By Joe Klimas

Kenny Perry has roared back with a 10 under 62 to sit at 18 under (126) to wrest the number one spot from first round leader Larry Mize after 36 holes at the 25th Annual Ace Group Classic at The Twin Eagles Club. Tom Lehman sits in third, with defending champion Bernhard Langer fourth heading into Sunday’s third and final round. Competition in the one point six million dollar tournament on Sunday will begin an hour earlier at 9:15. Tickets for the final round are available. The tournament leaders will hit from the first tee on Sunday at 11:15, so set that alarm clock an hour earlier.

As the Silver Anniversary, The 25th Annual ACE Group Classic, gets ready for it’s final round on Sunday, there are still several memories from years past. One of the best is a little story about Jack Schirmer, a member at Countryside. He was a security guard when the event was played at Quail West. I happened to pass by him on my way into the clubhouse and he reminded me of a character in a television show popular back in those days. As a result, from that day on, myself and many others referred to him as the school teacher in that series, Harvey Lipschitz.

My good friend and long time former sports editor of the Naples Daily News Tom Rife, has been involved in covering local sports for over 30 years and was there from the tournaments inception. One of the early volunteer chairmen was Randy Gaffney, a banker in town who was connected with the Conservancy. He was always appreciative of the volunteers, and worked very hard to show his and the Conservancy’s thanks. Steve Klee, the General Manager of the Vineyards, was extremely organized and was a gracious host for the event when it was held there.

Sunday should prove to be an exciting conclusion for this 25th Anniversary of The ACE Group Classic, so come on out and enjoy. I’ll see you there.

Remember parking is at Collier County Fairgrounds with a $7 donation to local charities. Please account for transportation times so that you don’t miss your favorite players in action.

TEE #1
9:15
Peter Jacobsen Bonita Springs, FL 70 71 141
Tom Kite Austin, TX 72 69 141
Steve Pate Westlake Village, CA 69 72 141

9:25
Craig Stadler Evergreen, CO 69 71 140
Hale Irwin Paradise Valley, AZ 70 71 141
D.A. Weibring Frisco, TX 70 71 141

9:35
Loren Roberts Memphis, TN 71 69 140
Peter Senior Queensland, Australia 70 70 140
Dave Rummells Kissimmee, FL 72 68 140

9:45
Joe Daley Scottsdale, AZ 71 68 139
Mark Wiebe Denver, CO 74 65 139
Gary Koch Tampa, FL 68 71 139

9:55
Fuzzy Zoeller Floyds Knobs, IN 69 69 138
Bob Tway Edmond, OK 69 69 138
Michael Allen Scottsdale, AZ 66 72 138

10:05
Bobby Clampett Bonita Springs, FL 70 68 138
Chip Beck Lake Forest, IL 70 68 138
Gil Morgan Edmond, OK 72 66 138

10:15
Jim Gallagher, Jr. Greenwood, MS 69 68 137
J.L. Lewis Austin, TX 71 67 138
Jim Rutledge Victoria, Canada 70 68 138

10:25
P.H. Horgan III West Palm Beach, FL 68 68 136
Jim Carter Scottsdale, AZ 68 68 136
Rod Spittle Columbus, OH 71 66 137

10:35
Mark Calcavecchia Tequesta, FL 69 67 136
Jeff Sluman Hinsdale, IL 69 67 136
John Cook Orlando, FL 69 67 136

10:45
Russ Cochran Paducah, KY 64 70 134
Dan Forsman Provo, UT 69 66 135
Jay Don Blake St. George, UT 68 67 135

10:55
Joey Sindelar Horseheads, NY 68 66 134
Bill Glasson Stillwater, OK 68 66 134
Jay Haas Greer, SC 66 68 134

11:05
Bernhard Langer Munich, Germany 66 65 131
Mike Goodes Reidsville, NC 65 68 133
David Frost Paarl, South Africa 68 66 134

11:15
Kenny Perry Franklin, KY 64 62 126
Larry Mize Columbus, GA 62 67 129
Tom Lehman Scottsdale, AZ 64 66 130

TEE #10
9:15
Nick Price Hobe Sound, FL 68 73 141
Corey Pavin Dallas, TX 70 72 142
Chien Soon Lu Taipei, Taiwan 71 71 142

9:25
Olin Browne Tequesta, FL 70 72 142
John Harris Minneapolis, MN 70 72 142
David Eger Charlotte, NC 69 73 142

9:35
Tom Jenkins Austin, TX 73 69 142
Ben Crenshaw Austin, TX 73 69 142
Morris Hatalsky Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 74 68 142

9:45
Mark McNulty Orlando, FL 68 74 142
Jeff Hart Solana Beach, CA 75 67 142
Tom Purtzer Scottsdale, AZ 72 71 143

9:55
Mike Reid Westminster, MD 73 70 143
Jim Thorpe Heathrow, FL 74 69 143
Brad Faxon Barrington, RI 77 66 143

10:05
John Huston Palm Harbor, FL 71 73 144
Bob Gilder Corvallis, OR 72 72 144
Gary Hallberg Castle Rock, CO 78 66 144

10:15
Larry Nelson Marietta, GA 72 73 145
Vicente Fernandez LaProvidencia RCC, Argentina 73 72 145
David Peoples Germantown, TN 75 70 145

10:25
Ben Bates Pensacola, FL 75 70 145
Brad Bryant Lakeland, FL 77 68 145
Bruce Fleisher Greenville, SC 71 75 146

10:35
Allen Doyle La Grange, GA 74 72 146
Steve Lowery Birmingham, AL 75 71 146
Tommy Armour III Las Colinas, TX 76 70 146

10:45
Mike Hulbert Orlando, FL 78 68 146
Scott Simpson San Diego, CA 71 76 147
Wayne Levi Naples, FL 70 77 147

10:55
Curtis Strange Morehead City, NC 73 74 147
Ted Schulz Louisville, KY 74 73 147
Dana Quigley West Palm Beach, FL 75 72 147

11:05
Mark Brooks Austin, TX 72 76 148
Fred Funk Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 71 78 149
Jim Colbert Big Horn CC, Palm Desert, CA 75 74 149

11:15
Lanny Wadkins Dallas, TX 73 79 152
Bobby Wadkins Richmond, VA 78 75 153
Kip P. Byrne Palm City, FL 79 75 154

First Round Recap
The TwinEagles Club (Talon)         February 17-19, 2012
Naples, Fla.                                Purse: $1,600,000
Par/Yards : 36-36—72/7,193          Charles Schwab Cup points: 240

Leaderboard
1. Kenny Perry 126 (-18)
2. Larry Mize 129 (-15)
3. Tom Lehman 130 (-14)
4. Bernhard Langer 131 (-13)
5. Mike Goodes 133 (-11)

Tournament Facts

Kenny Perry’s best 36-hole score in his PGA TOUR career at a par-72 course was 14-under 130 at the 2001 Buick Open at Warwick Hills G&CC in Michigan. He went on to win that event by two strokes over Chris DiMarco and Jim Furyk. Numerically, Perry’s low on TOUR was 12-under 128 at the 2005 Bank of America Colonial and he went on to win that event by seven shots over Billy Mayfair.

Kenny Perry’s 62 today was also the best second-round score in tournament history. Both Al Geiberger (1996) and Jay Overton (2003) had posted 63s on Saturday at this event.

A player has come from behind to win the ACE Group Classic 12 times, including six of the last 10 years. 13 of the previous 24 events in Naples have been decided by either a playoff or just one stroke.

The winner of The ACE Group Classic has come out of the final grouping in each of the last 11 years. The last time it didn’t happen in Naples was 2000 when Lanny Wadkins fired a final-round 64 to rally from three strokes back to force a playoff that he eventually won.

Dating back to last year, the tournament winner has played in the final grouping in the last 12 events on the Champions Tour. The last time the winner was not in the last grouping was at the 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach when Jeff Sluman was in the third-to-last group.

There were 53 rounds under par today compared with 47 rounds under par on Friday at TwinEagles. Of those 53 rounds, 39 were in the 60s compared to 27 sub-70 scores yesterday. The stroke average for the field today was 69.949, compared to 70.962 on Friday. Overall, there were 9 eagles and 354 birdies today vs. 11 eagles and 327 birdies in Round 1. 10 of the 18 holes are averaging a score under par through the first two rounds and the par-5 13^th hole is playing as the easiest (4.516) hole.

Tomorrow’s winner will earn 240 Charles Schwab Cup points. Kenny Perry, the tournament leader does not have any Schwab Cup points yet in 2012. Dan Forsman, the current Schwab Cup leader, is currently T11 through two rounds of the ACE Group Classic. Points are only awarded at each event for top-10 finishes and at the conclusion of the season, the player earning the most Schwab Cup points will receive a $1 million payout.

Loren Roberts, a two-time ACE Group Classic champion and the last player to win at TwinEagles in 2006, ran his streak of par/better rounds in Naples to 20 straight with a 3-under 69 today. Of the 20 consecutive rounds at par/better, he’s carded 12 scores in the 60s and has a scoring average of 69.00.

Larry Mize and Mike Goodes, an open qualifier on Tuesday, have not made a bogey over the first 36 holes this week…Bernhard Langer has eagled the par-5 17^th hole both Friday and Saturday…Hale Irwin and Tom Lehman have missed just two fairways through the first two rounds (26/28)…Larry Mize leads in greens in regulation (33/36)…Kenny Perry has had just 51 total putts for two rounds.

Mark O’Meara withdrew after nine holes today with the flu. He was 4-over for the tournament when he withdrew.

Because of the threat on afternoon thunderstorms, final-round play will begin at 9:15 a.m. (ET) tomorrow.

(BURN BY ROCKY PATEL) -
There have been several golfers on the second day here at The ACE Group Classic that have caught fire of late. Kenny Perry overtook first round leader Larry Mize with nine birdies in 16 holes and defending champion Bernhard Langer and Player of the Year Tom Lehman remain in striking distance, but there’s much interest being sparked at Burn by Rocky Patel in The ACE Group Classic Expo.

While there is a variety of cigar offerings and merchandise for sale, perhaps the most buzz worthy product is their Fifteenth Anniversary Edition recently named the sixth best cigar of the year by Cigar Aficionado magazine. Stop by and hear more while enjoying the world-class golf at this year’s ACE Group Classic.