Fort Worth, Texas — The Charles Schwab Challenge is a young tradition that has seen the winner receive a spruced-up car.
It all started when Kevin Na, who won in 2019, gave his caddie a blue-glacier 1973 Dodge Challenger. Jason Kokrak then raved about taking his children to school in a light-blue 1946 Dodge Power Wagon that he won 2021.
Sam Burns, who beat Scottie Scheffler by a single point in 2022 in a playoff, drove out of Colonial Country Club in a 1979 Firebird Trans Am that was fully restored and updated. The word Schwab is inscribed in several places on the car.
The tournament organizers are offering a special prize this year: a 1973 Schwab Bronco that has been fully restored and updated. Classic Ford Broncos in Powell, Ohio did the restoration, and their director of sales, operations, was present this week to showcase the vehicle.
The prize for the Charles Schwab Challenge is a restored and modernized Schwab Bronco 1973, which sits on the 18th hole during the first round. Raymond Carlin III – USA TODAY Sports
Schwab approached us a little over a month ago. Nate Guess said that they chose 1973 because it was Schwab’s 50th anniversary. “We worked together, I designed it and then they decided to go ahead with the Bronco Restoration. We do this. We are specialists in Bronco restorations from 1966 to 1977.
This particular Bronco was built in 1973 with an original frame, matching VIN and the original frame. It has a Gen 3 Coyote engine, which is 465 horsepower and an automatic 10-speed gearbox. “Every nut and bolt is either new or has been replaced on this vehicle.”
The interior of the car was finished to match that given to the winners.
Guess explained, “You will see the Tartan on the side of bolsters for the seats.” It’s exactly the same material as the jacket.
Nate Guess, of Classic Ford Broncos, stands in front the 1973 Ford Bronco which will be presented to the winner of 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge. (Photo by Tim Schmitt/Golfweek).
Guess estimated that the process would take 14 weeks to complete after finalizing the vehicle plans. The company performs all of the work internally, removing the original Broncos to their frame and axles. He said that the company performs around 100 projects a year at the facility located just outside Columbus.
He said, “Everything is done in one place, starting from the beginning to the end.”
The vehicle is now a source of pride for tournament sponsors, who picked up the pieces in 2019.
The Challenger Prize has become a tradition. We wanted to honor Schwab’s legacy of 50 years of helping clients achieve their goals, regardless of what obstacles they face, as we entered our fifth year of title sponsorship. Jonathan Craig, managing director and head investor services at Charles Schwab, said: There’s no better way to represent that than with a 1973 Schwab Bronco.
