Battle of Britain : Golf: Calcavecchia tries to repeat British Open conquest. Since then, he’s reaped the benefits in increased appearance fees.

Mark Calcavecchia may flinch a bit when recalling his finish in the Canon Greater Hartford Open, but he is delighted to discuss his victory in the British Open 51 weeks ago.

“What did winning it do for me?” he said rhetorically. “Made me money.”

As in Brinks armored carloads. Before winning the title he’ll defend starting Thursday at St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland, Calcavecchia said he felt fortunate to receive a $20,000 guarantee to play in the 1989 Swiss Open.

But his appearance fee is approaching that of Greg Norman, Curtis Strange and Seve Ballesteros. At the Irish Open three weeks ago, Calcavecchia received $100,000 just to show and won an additional $54,000 for a tie for second. He’ll receive another $100,000 for playing in the Dutch Open the week after the British Open, and he has a $125,000 deal to play in Japan this fall.

“People asked me why I played in the Irish Open, and I said because it was a great golf course (Portmarnock) and they made me a great offer,” Calcavecchia said. “Same with the Dutch Open and the tournaments I’m going to do in Japan, where the people are golf crazy.

“I wouldn’t pay me that much, but if people are generous enough, you’ve got to be a dummy not to take that kind of cash. If someone says, ‘Want $100,000 to play in our tournament?’ what are you going to say? I don’t want to play in the Dutch Open, but I’ve heard the course is pretty good and I know the money’s great.”

And to think Calcavecchia hasn’t won since his four-hole playoff victory over Norman and Wayne Grady at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, last year. He tied for second in the Irish Open and has five runner-up finishes this year on the PGA Tour.

All the close calls have helped earn Calcavecchia $714,244 in official money, making him third on the money list. Part of his new riches paid for a 9,100-square-foot house in Phoenix that has 70 doors, six bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

One can only wonder what riches Calcavecchia will reap if he repeats as British Open champion, on a course he believes is much to his liking and game.

Calcavecchia has played seven rounds at St. Andrews, five in the Dunhill Cup in October, when he shot 19-under to spark the American team to victory.

“I feel great about going back there because I really like the place,” Calcavecchia said. “I’ve had no problem reading the greens and have a feel for the course already because I know where all the humps and hidden bunkers are and all the targets you have to aim at off the tee.”