Valencia to Host Senior Golfers

Valencia Country Club made it official Wednesday, announcing that the SBC Senior Classic will be played at the course March 5-11.

It has been widely reported that the PGA Senior Tour event probably would move to Valencia after six years under three title sponsors at Wilshire Country Club.

“This will solidify the reputation of our club as a tournament venue,” said Dan Hernandez, head professional at Valencia, which hosted the PGA Tour’s Nissan Open in 1998, when Billy Mayfair beat Tiger Woods in a playoff.

“Ideally, [Jack] Nicklaus and [Arnold] Palmer will decide to come and play in our event. But we expect players like Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Tom Watson and Lanny Wadkins will be here.”

One person who probably is not happy with the move is Joe Inman, who won the last three tournaments at Wilshire--the only victories of his Senior PGA Tour career.