PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge will have 1970s flare to it
Rickie Fowler rocking bell bottom trousers? Jordan Spieth donning a flat cap? Justin Rose wearing a puffer vest?
All is possible -- and encouraged -- at this year’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. Fort Worth’s annual golf tournament announced several new promotions this week, highlighted by “Throwback Thursday” on May 23 for the first round of action.
Players and fans are encouraged to dress like it’s 1973, the year Charles Schwab was founded.
Fans dressed in 1973-type gear will receive a 73 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks at the tournament’s concession stands.
The promotion ties in with the theme Charles Schwab is bringing to the entire tournament. As the debut year as the title sponsor, Charles Schwab is playing off its founding year in multiple aspects.
The tournament announced last month that this year’s champion will receive a restored 1973 Dodge Challenger, as well as the signature plaid jacket.
“We are honored to play a part in the tradition of this historic tournament in Fort Worth and its longstanding support from the Metroplex community,” Charles Schwab chief marketing officer Andy Gill said. “We see so many parallels between this tournament’s history of competition and philanthropy and our own firm’s legacy and commitment to the State of Texas.
“That’s why we wanted to help bring a refreshing new approach to the event that we hope will carry through for years of value for the game and the community.”
Along with “Throwback Thursday” and the restored Challenger, other promotions for this year’s event include --
Fan engagement zone: This 5,000 square foot area is known as “The 5: Schwab Performance Center” focused on five modern fundamentals of both golf and investing. Fans will have an opportunity to get their swing analyzed and receive a golf lesson from GolfTEC teaching pros. There’ll also be three simulators to give fans a chance to compete in a closest to the pin challenge on No. 13, and hit drives off No. 18.
Digital golf experience: Veteran PGA Tour caddies Damon Green, Brennan Little, DJ Nelson and James Edmondson have assisted in a series of digital videos available on SchwabGolf.com, highlighting all 18 holes and the strategy to play each. The tournament also launched a digital content series called “The Challengers,” which features several notable people in the golf world including two-time major champion Greg Norman.
Ticket info
General admission tickets are $50 a day, or $125 for a weekly badge, and available through the tournament’s website. Children 12 and under are free, and active military members can receive up to four complimentary tickets.
This story was originally published May 2, 2019 at 6:00 AM with the headline "PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge will have 1970s flare to it."