By. John K. Abendroth
The Procore Championship is being played this week at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, a favorite of PGA-Tour players and their families but there are many stories to tell in its history.
The event was first held in 1968 as the Kaiser International played for several years including twice in 1969. Not only poplar with golf fans, but with the players as most stayed on the property and would enjoy the pleasant weather and wine.
From 1989-1999 the site switched to host the TransAmerica Senior Championship which too was very popular.
A unique aspect was that several tour players lived on teh property including Johnny Miller and Rod Funseth. In later years, Miller would be part of the ownership group, oversaw remodeling of the golf courses and was host when the PGA-Tour returned.
Typical of a course surrounded by homes, condos and the hotel, it was hard to add length to the course, but Johnny was able to add challenges to the layout. To keep the fans entertained, food and wine became a larger part of the event as well as concerts after play.
I recall a fun party at the Cosentino winery hosed by Orilmar golf where a number of the senior players attended like Chi Chi Rodriguez, Dave Stockton and Bobby Nichols.
Arnold Palmer played in the event several years as both regular PGA-Tour and the senior events.
For me personally Silverado was very important as I earned my tour card in 1974 playing at Silverado and qualified for the Kaiser that year. It was the only professional event my Dad saw me play. The first 9 holes I was 3 under par and my name on the leaderboar...it did not last as I missed the cut by one shot.
During the TransAmerica and the return of the PGA-Tour events it was on the schedule for Mitch Juricich and myself to broadcast our radio show live from Silverado. The last year that Palmer played, we spent 30-minutes interviewing him and it was really cool...
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