Professional golf eyes return to Sugarloaf

As of Thursday, September 27, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

After losing its PGA Tour event three years ago, it looks like the TPC — Sugarloaf is getting back to hosting professional golf.

The Duluth course, in collaboration with the Champions Tour and the Gwinnett Sports Commission, is expected to announce the arrival of a new Champions Tour event at a press conference Tuesday. Corey Pavin, the 1995 U.S. Open Champion and a winner at Sugarloaf in 1991, is expected to be on hand for the announcement with 1983 U.S. Open and 1980 Atlanta Open winner Larry Nelson. Both golfers are active on the Champions Tour.

Any event for Sugarloaf is a welcome addition to Gwinnett County and the neighborhood housing the prestigious course. Under a variety of names, Sugarloaf the PGA Tour stop until 2009 when sponsorship struggles and a field lacking the Tour's biggest names ended the relationship.

There was talk at the time of a Champions Tour stop replacing the PGA event and now that appears in place.

Though player interest dropped in the final years, past winners at Sugarloaf include Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Gwinnett Daily Post