Golf: Couples commits to Tucson Champions Tour event

Couples, a wildly popular golfer on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, figures to draw a big gallery to Omni National. 

"He doesn't normally commit until closer to the event, so we're obviously very pleased," said Judy McDermott, the executive director of the Tucson Conquistadores. "People get excited when he commits to a PGA Tour event, so it's icing on the cake to get him for a senior event."

The Conquistadores Classic is set for March 16-22 at Omni National. The tournament is in its first year. It was created after the PGA Tour's Match Play left Southern Arizona for Northern California. 

The Conquistadores were able to keep professional golf alive in Tucson when they landed the Champions Tour event. 

With Couples on board, the tournament has now locked in the four biggest names on the Champions Tour in Couples, Tom Watson, Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer. 

McDermott said Thursday that tickets are selling well. Information for tickets can be found on the event's web site at www.conquistadoresclassic.com.