Steven Alker said that a Mission Hills Country Club charity tournament on Monday, to kickoff Galleri Classic week at Rancho Mirage, speaks volumes about the PGA Tour Champions.
Alker stated that Champions felt more like an extended family here than a family, during a tournament featuring senior players as well as caddies. The tournament was to honor Sam Workman who Alker lost to cancer on Feb. 6. We moved together, and there was a lot support when he was sick as well as when he died so quickly. It is amazing for people to get behind this.
Workman was a long-time Korn Ferry Tour caddie and had been with Alker since 2019. Workman joined the senior tour after Alker received his playing card as a PGA Tour Champion.
Alker, a long-time journeyman player, won four times on tour, and captured the season-long Charles Schwab Cup. This team became the Cinderella story in 2022. Workman was there every step of the way.
Alker then announced that Workman had terminally ill cancer in February. Workman died a week later.
After the Hoag Classic tour in Newport Beach, which was just a short drive from the Coachella Valley, arrangements were made by Michelle DeLancy, Galleri Classic tournament director, to host a tournament at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course. This is the home course of the tournament.
Alker stated, “It wasn’t me. But a few players, a couple caddies, got the guys together. I think we have a team of about 60 which is incredible.” It just shows how quickly Sam made new friends and how influential he was.
Alker was there with Michelle Workman (Sam’s sister), who expressed her gratitude for the caddies and players behind the event.
Alker stated, “It’s an amazing day, and to also have Michelle here is wonderful.”
The First Tee of San Antonio and the First Tee in Coachella Valley will receive funds raised by the event. Workman was a part of these organizations.
