Golf: Holding the printing, please

Richard Dunn

With Frenchman Jean Van De Velde making the final player commitment

to the upcoming Hyundai Team Matches, the field is complete for the

made-for-television event at Pelican Hill Golf Club.

Well, almost.

Van De Velde, the last invited golfer to confirm a Dec. 15-17

appointment, hasn’t decided on a playing partner in the team match-play

format.

Apparently, the PGA Tour and European PGA Tour member, who is coming

from his home in Geneva, Switzerland, is looking for a fellow European

who is also a card-carrying member of the PGA Tour -- a requirement of

the PGA Tour-sanctioned event, which was launched by the tour along with

Jack Nicklaus Productions.

Van De Velde is trying to make a careful selection in the PGA Tour

competition against defending champions Fred Couples and Mark

Calcavecchia, along with teams Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate and Tom

Lehman and Duffy Waldorf. But he’s sort of holding up the ship.

Not that tournament officials want to apply any needless pressure on

you, Jean, but the printing of programs, posters and other signage, as

well as caddie bibs, will not commence until you’ve picked a partner.

“We’re very eagerly awaiting his response,” tournament director Gary

Pollard said Wednesday. “He has as long as he needs (to decide), but for

me, I’m in a hurry.”

Van De Velde, 60th on the PGA Tour money list this year at $774,249 in

22 events, will long be remembered not only for what happened to him on

the 72nd hole at the 1999 British Open, but for how well he handled it.

A former French amateur champion, Van De Velde led by three strokes on

the 72nd tee, only to make triple bogey and allow Paul Lawrie and Justin

Leonard to tie him. Lawrie won a four-hole playoff.

In addition to the four-team, two-player PGA Tour matches, the Senior

PGA Tour and LPGA Tour each have eight players in the Hyundai Team

Matches.

The three major tours compete in three separate tournaments.

“A lot of things hinge on this last spot,” Pollard said. “But, I’ll

tell you, I couldn’t be more excited. Not only about Jean, but the whole

quality of the field. It’s the best we’ve ever had for the match-play

championships. Not only do we have famous players, but those playing well

and on top of the money list. There’s a lot of star power.”

Defending Senior Tour champions Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson are the

event’s top headliners, while Annika Sorenstam (with partner Lori Kane)

and defending champions Juli Inkster and Dottie Pepper are the ladies’

marquee names. For tickets: (949) 759-5175.

Pollard said volunteers are still being sought for the Hyundai Team

Matches and pro-am playing spots are available.

Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster, on the phone, online

or in person. Pollard said Ticketmaster offers good rates through the PGA

Tour.

“A lot of people are reluctant (to go through an agency for tickets),

because they think they pay a premium, but they actually don’t charge as

much,” Pollard said.

In the Thursday pro-am field, 24 members of the Southern California

PGA will join amateur groups. On Friday, Dec. 15, amateurs are joined by

pros in the Hyundai field. For Ticketmaster: (877) 484-3014.

The 2000 Dennis Paulson Junior Invitational Championship, a 36-hole

event with no cut, is Dec. 27-28 at Cypress Golf Club in Los Alamitos.

The event, operated by Junior Amateur Golf Scholars, requires a $125

registration for greens fees, range balls, lunch and awards.

Entries are open to all junior golfers between 13 and 18. Players may

be 18 if attending high school.

Former Big Canyon Country Club head professional Kelly Manos, now

Director of Golf at The Club at Morningside in Rancho Mirage, is the PGA

Professional Director of JAGS.

The entry deadline is Nov. 20. Membership in JAGS or 3.0 grade-point

average is not required for invitational tournaments. However, JAGS

members will be given priority status. Details: (714) 952-3316.

Paulson, a Costa Mesa High product and Santa Ana Country Club honorary

member, enjoyed a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour in 1999 and followed

it up with some spectacular rounds this year, including his first title

(the Buick Classic in June) and leading the Masters after the first round

with an opening 4-under 68.

Paulson, 38, went from 317th on the tour’s money list in 1998 to 37th

last year.

Paulson, who considered giving up golf before playing on the Asian

Tour in the early 1990s, qualified for the PGA Tour in 1994 and ’95 and played on the Nike Tour in 1997 and ’98.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.