On the eve of the Senior British Open at Royal County Down, the original ‘Big Three’ of golf, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player were present at the announcement of the inaugural UBS Warburg team event to take place on November 16th-18th and on a bi-annual basis from there on.
Legend Arnold Palmer will captain a 12-man American side who will take on the might of a Rest of the World team to be captained by South Africa’s Gary Player.
The event will be held at Kiawah Island in South Carolina where the memorable ‘War on the Shore’ 1991 Ryder Cup was staged.
"I am thrilled to be captain against Player (Gary) and his boys," remarked Palmer.
The team make-up comprises of six players who will be aged between 40-49 and six players aged 50 and over. Included in that, the two captains will play against each other in the Saturday singles.
In a similar format to the Ryder Cup each match will be worth one point and each member of the winning team will receive $150,000 while the losing team will pocket $100,000.
"When I won the PGA order of merit all those years ago, I only won $64,000, now with this amount on offer the taste of money makes me feel young again," joked Player.
"I love this type of competition," said Player who never had the chance to play in a Ryder Cup. "To lead a team of international players against a team led by Arnold Palmer will be very special.
There will be six matches of foursomes on the Friday, six matches of fourballs with 12 singles matches on the Saturday. And because of the age limits, the format lends itself to involving not only senior players (50 and over) but previous world beaters who are approaching their half century.
The Rest of the World team will include Player, the two top international players from the Seniors Tour Order of Merit, three top international players from the PGA European Money list as of October, 1st 2001 and three special invitations for players over 50 and three aged between 40 and 49.
What this event promises is the potential to see former world number one stars from this side of the Atlantic like Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, and the likes of Christy O’Connor Jnr in the over 50 category.
Already high profile names such as two-time major winner Mark O’Meara, Hale Irwin, and Curtis Strange have been earmarked for the US team under the same relevant format as the Rest of the World selection.
"This type of competition is going to be a lot of fun taking on the Rest of the World," said Nicklaus.
As for the prospect of the new UPS Warburg Cup coming this side of the Atlantic in the second year, more specifically to Ireland, the official line was no decision has been reached as so much attention was given to getting the first year up and running.