PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic staying at Tiburon for 2022, adds new tournament director

The Chubb Classic is going back to its normal February dates in 2022 and to Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, for the next two years.

But there is a new name running it — in more ways than one.

The PGA Tour Champions event, which is presented by SERVPRO, has announced the return to Tiburón’s Black Course, where it was played in April and won by Steve Stricker, the captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team this week. The extension through 2023 coincides with extensions for title sponsor Chubb and presenting sponsor SERVPRO announced in August 2020.

“The Chubb Classic is one of the premier events on the PGA Tour Champions schedule and is a mainstay in the Naples and Southwest Florida,” said Andy Bush, a partner in tournament owner/manager Outlyr, in a release. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue our partnership with Tiburòn Golf Club for 2022 and beyond in hosting this great championship.”

Sandy Diamond has taken over as tournament director — with his position as vice president and executive director — for the 35th annual tournament being held be Feb. 14-20. He replaces Scott Reid who left that role prior to last year’s tournament.

“Outlyr is all about bringing on best-in-class employees to manage our portfolio of tournaments, and Sandy Diamond fits the bill perfectly,” Bush said. “I’ve worked alongside Sandy for a number of years, and to have him join the team as we look to celebrate the Chubb Classic’s 35-year anniversary is the ideal time and opportunity.”

Diamond, a longtime PGA Tour sales, marketing and sponsorships executive who most recently was chief development officer for The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, will oversee all tournament management of the Chubb Classic, working in conjunction with PGA Tour Champions. Diamond and his family have relocated from the New York/New Jersey area to Naples.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a long-lasting career in the golf industry that has allowed me to channel my passions in both sports and business,” Diamond said. “To have this opportunity to join Outlyr and to manage the Chubb Classic and its upcoming 35th anniversary is a perfect next step in my career. I look forward to working with my friends at the PGA Tour and getting fully engrained in the Naples community as we ramp up for the 2022 edition of this great championship.”

Tickets and volunteer registration will be announced at a later date. For more information on the Chubb Classic, visit www.ChubbClassic.com.

In April, Stricker, a former part-time Naples resident who sold his home the week of the tournament, hung on to win by a stroke over Robert Karlsson and Alex Cejka. The tournament was moved from its normal February date partly for the hope that the coronavirus pandemic may have eased enough for fans to attend. But attendance was limited to Tiburón members, guests and sponsors.

Staying at Tiburón means once again that the resort, with both courses designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman, will host all three of Naples’ professional tour events, this time in an even tighter window than before.

The LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship will be Nov. 15-21, followed by the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout, the event Norman founded and hosts, from Dec. 8-12. Both of those are on the Gold Course.

This past year with the Chubb being in April, there was six months total between the LPGA event and it. Now there will be four.

“On behalf of our members and staff we are excited to return as tournament host for the Chubb Classic in 2022,” said Kevin DeDonato, General Manager at Tiburón Golf Club, in the release. “The support we receive from ownership, Troon, and all of our great partners will provide the resources to make this another successful event.  We look forward to working with the Outlyr team along with all of the organizations affiliated with this longstanding event.”