CHAMPIONS

• Champions Tour sets 2009 schedule

  
  

  Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sports Network) - The schedule for the 2009 Champions Tour was released Wednesday and the 26 official events will feature a record for the highest average tournament purse at $1.98 million.

  Tournaments for the 2009 campaign will be played in 15 states, plus England and the Dominican Republic.

  Two new sponsors -- Mitsubishi Electric and Triton Financial -- were also recently introduced.

  "As the Champions Tour enters its 30th season we're fortunate to have such committed partners enabling us to provide compelling competition and engaging entertainment to legions of fans by some of the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game," said Champions Tour President Mike Stevens.

  The2009 seasonwill begin in January with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, marking the 13th straight year that the tour will open play in Hawaii.

  To close the season, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship will take place from October 26 through November 1 at Sonoma Golf Club in California.

  The major championship schedule opens with the Senior PGA Championship in May at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland. Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana will host the U.S. Senior Open in July and the British Senior Open will take place in July at Sunningdale Golf Club in England.

  All 26 events will be televised in the United States, with 19 receiving exclusive coverage by the Golf Channel.

  11/12 12:57:41 ET