Strong Field is Preparing For Fourth Administaff Small Business Classic
29 Of The Top 30 Coming To Augusta Pines

HOUSTON – Aug. 31, 2007 – The Champions Tour returns to the Houston area in seven weeks and the list of early commitments could make the field for the Administaff Small Business Classic presented by UnitedHealthcare the strongest group of competitors in the event’s four-year history.

Currently, 29 of the top 30 on this year’s money list are scheduled to compete October 8-14 at August Pines Golf Club. Included are all three past champions-- Larry Nelson, Mark McNulty and Jay Haas.

“The manner in which the players have embraced this event in a short period of time is outstanding,” said Executive Director Bryan Naugle. “When we see players as we visit other stops, they always mention how much they look forward to getting back to Houston. The sports fans in this area can really be proud of their Champions Tour event and can certainly look forward to seeing some of the game’s greatest players here in October.”

All but one of 2007 rookie class has also indicated it will be in Houston this year. Those players who reached the 50-year-old eligibility this season are: Mark O’Meara, Bernhard Langer, Jeff Sluman and John Cook. Earlier this year, Seve Ballesteros, the sixth member of this new class, announced he was retiring from the game. Nick Price will also not enter.

“This, obviously, is a great group of players and we are excited that they will be coming during their rookie year,” Naugle said. “We will have a wonderful mix of younger players and some of the all-time greats which should make for a tremendous competitive week.”

Curtis Strange, Fuzzy Zoeller, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Craig Stadler, Scott Simpson, Bruce Lietzke, Jim Thorpe, Scott Hoch and Peter Jacobsen are also scheduled to compete.

Larry Nelson won the inaugural Administaff Small Business Classic in 2004, defeating Hale Irwin in a playoff. McNulty, who captured the season’s final major championship Sunday at the JELD-WEN Tradition, became the first international player to win the title with a one-stroke victory over Gil Morgan in 2005. Jay Haas won last year’s rain-shortened event which assisted him in capturing the Charles Schwab Cup.

The Administaff Small Business Classic, the 29th official event on the Champions Tour schedule, benefits local charities including the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.