Del Paso Country Club is exploring the possibility of hosting the U.S. Senior Open golf championship.

The Senior Open doesn't have a site for 2015, a year that would dovetail into Del Paso's centennial celebration the year after. That is the year being targeted, Del Paso representatives said.

United States Golf Association officials have been to the private Sacramento club three times in the past year, most recently last month. While not receiving a commitment to host the event or a date, Del Paso's people heard enough to spend the next month gauging community interest and financial viability.

"(The USGA) indicated we were being seriously considered," said Russ Porter, Del Paso's president.

Pete Kowalski, USGA director of championship communications, said the organization does not comment on future sites until an announcement is made.

Porter said an economic impact estimate is being prepared, and he soon will begin meeting with public agencies and private businesses.

"If we get the support we think we're going to get, we'll notify the USGA of our commitment," Porter said.

Del Paso's decision whether to commit to hosting the event is expected by the end of November. The USGA plans to announce the 2015 venue in February.

Del Paso has hosted three USGA championships – the 1957 and 1976 U.S. Women's Amateurs and the 1982 U.S. Women's Open. The club, which was closed for 18 months in 2005 and 2006 while undergoing a $10 million renovation that lengthened it and again made it relevant to hosting national championships, sought out the USGA a year ago in an attempt to rekindle its relationship.

The economic impact, while always difficult to measure, would be significant. The estimate was $25 million to $30 million for Colorado Springs, Colo., the host of the 2008 Senior Open, said Del Paso general manager Bob Kunz. The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, which featured eight days of competition in 2000 and 2004 at Hornet Stadium, was estimated to have a $24 million economic impact each year, said John McCasey, the executive director of the Sacramento Sports Commission.

"The USGA indicated to us that they like the course, they like Del Paso as a club, and they like Sacramento as a community," Kunz said. "The next step to assess whether it's something Del Paso wants to take on. It would be a positive for the Sacramento market and for golf in Sacramento in general."

Among players who will turn 50 between now and the 2015 championship: Sacramento resident Kevin Sutherland, Sacramento native Scott McCarron, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, Scott Verplank and Jesper Parnevik.

Senior Open sites between now and 2015: Detroit in 2012, Omaha, Neb., in 2013 and Edmond, Okla., in 2014.

Et cetera

• Erik Flores of Roseville survived the first stage of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament in Kannapolis, N.C. Phil Dawson of Shingle Springs failed to advance in Dayton, Nev.

• Jeff Gilchrist and Bob Turnacliff knocked off qualifying medalists Jeff Hoffman and Russell Humphrey 1 up in the first round of match play in the Sacramento County Men's Four-Ball Championship at Mather. The eight remaining teams resume play Saturday.

• The Reno-Tahoe Open will use a Modified Stableford scoring system in 2012.

THE 10 MOST SIGNIFICANT SACRAMENTO-AREA GOLF COMPETITIONS

• 1. 1982 U.S. Women's Open at Del Paso: Janet Alex earned her only professional win

• 2. 1941 Sacramento Pro Invitational at Haggin Oaks: Sam Snead won one of the first competitions limited to PGA Tour winners

• 3. 1970s Swing at Cancer at Del Paso: The annual one-day event for years attracted the best men's players and was the catalyst for the senior tour

• 4. 1942 Red Cross Charity Match at Haggin Oaks: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Babe Ruth and California Gov. Culbert Olson played in the one-day exhibition

• 5. 1938 Sacramento Open at Haggin Oaks: Ben Hogan finished third, earning $350 for his first paycheck as a pro

• 6. 1996 Twelve Bridges LPGA Classic: Kelly Robbins won the inaugural event

• 7. 1987 Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush: Orville Moody won the inaugural event

• 8. 1997 Longs Drugs Challenge at Twelve Bridges: Annika Sorenstam earned one of her 72 LPGA tournament wins locally

• 9. 1957 U.S. Women's Amateur at Del Paso: JoAnne Gunderson (later JoAnne Carner) won as a precursor to a long and successful pro career

• 10. 1963 U.S. Amateur Public Links at Haggin Oaks: Sacramentan Bob Lunn, who went on to record six PGA Tour wins, emerged victorious

– Steve Pajak

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