Honda Classics, one of the world's most prestigious golf tournaments, is turning 36 this year with a goal on hand --- attract big names to participate in what is deemed as a PGA tour that offers equally attractive purse.
While many big shots and sports personalities (which include the legendary golf icon Jack Nicklaus) may have been products of the Honda Classics --- found in 1972 and initially known as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classics, the tournament never had Tiger Woods to take part in this tournament, which is annually held at the Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
Likewise missing in their roster of participants are Ernie Els (since 1999) and Phil Mickelson (since 2002). In its 36 years of holding what is considered by golf personalities as “least heralded”, it was able to produce sportsmen who have made a name for themselves in the green. Making up the list of the Honda Classics champions since 1982 (the year Honda started as being the primary sponsor of the tournament) are Mark Wilson, Luke Donald, Padriag Harrington, Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard, Matt Kuchar, Jesper Parnevik, Dudley Hart, Vijay Singh, Mark Calcavecchia, Stuart Appleby, Tin Herron, Mark O'Meara, Nick Price, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Steve Pate, John Houston, Blaine McCallister, Joey Sindelar, Kenny Knox, Bruce Lietzke, Curtis Strange, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin and Tom Kite, earning the title of the first ever Honda Classic champion.
This year, the Honda-backed golf tournament is parading Ken Kennerly as the new executive director while the Nicklaus Children Healthy Care Foundation would be this year's beneficiary.
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