Allen had 30 minutes after his victory was official to commit to the Principal Charity Classic.
He decided not to play. But the absence of Allen did nothing to contain Alt’s enthusiasm for this week’s field. “I think it’s one of the strongest fields of the year, outside a major,” Alt said. “One of the stronger fields we’ve ever had in Des Moines.” Ten of the 11 leading money winners for the 2009 Champions Tour season will be teeing it up in an event that kicks off a week of activities today. The official 54-hole competition begins Friday. No. 1 on that money list, Bernhard Langer, will not be here. But six of the season’s 10 tournament champs will be at Glen Oaks. That list includes Keith Fergus, who has won both the Cap Cana Championship and Regions Charity Classic. Langer is the only other multiple winner this season, and one of his victories came in a team event with Tom Lehman at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. Other 2009 winners in the field are Loren Roberts, Mike Goodes, Dan Forsman and Nick Price.
Sixteen players will be making their Principal Charity Classic debuts, including former major champions Hal Sutton, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle and Wayne Grady. The three remaining spots in the 78-player field will be sealed today in an 18-hole qualifier at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City, beginning at 7:30 a.m.