Honda Classic another hit from
Golden (Bear) start to Ror-ing finish

Nicklaus joined Jason Taylor, Kenny G and Tim Tebow at the Honda Classic Pro-Am Tournament

For the second year in a row, The Honda Classic drew record crowds and rave reviews--from the Jack Nicklaus-led marquee grouping in the Kenny G Gold Pro-Am that kicked off things to the stirring and emotional win by Rory Sabbatini. And in between, the Jack Nicklaus-redesigned Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa stole its fair share of headlines.

The 2011 Honda Classic set an attendance record for the second straight year, drawing a confirmed 111,950 spectators for the week. That broke the 2010 record of 101,200, which was the first year The Honda topped the 100,000 mark. In 2009, 94,000 spectators watched the event.

Aside from Sabbatini, the winner for the week was the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which was a charitable beneficiary of The Honda. Foundation Chairman Barbara Nicklaus visited with NBC's Jimmy Roberts on Saturday to talk about the Foundation's current mission, which includes the last year's opening of the first Miami Children's Hospital Nicklaus Care Center in Palm Beach County. Jack Nicklaus then echoed the charitable message during his time in the NBC booth during Sunday's final round.

The other winner for the week was Jack's design of the Champion Course.

Anchored by the challenging stretch of holes 15, 16 and 17-aptly named The Bear Trap-the Champion Course stood the test of competition thanks to winds that consistently gusted to 30 mph. In fact, the course played to the highest scoring average in relation to par on the PGA Tour so far this year-by almost two shots. Windswept conditions aside, the players gave the layout high praise. For the fourth time in the five years The Honda has been played at PGA National, the winner was crowned with a single-digit total under par. By the end of play Saturday, The Bear Trap had gobbled up more than 140 golf balls--a record total with one round still to play.

"Fantastic golf course. Extremely challenging," said winner Rory Sabbatini, who finished at 9 under par, one shot better than 2009 PGA Championship winner Y.E. Yang. "You know, I guess there's a pretty good reason they call it The Bear Trap-because if it doesn't get you one way, it's going to get you another."

Jack Nicklaus in the NBC broadcast booth on Sunday

"You know, hats off to this golf course," said third-place-finisher Jerry Kelly. "It's an awesome track and gets you ready for Augusta and the majors."

The week of the Honda Classic got off to an exciting start Wednesday with the Kenny G Gold Pro-Am. In the spotlight foursome, Jack was grouped with NFL star Jason Taylor, Pro-Am host and multiple Grammy winner Kenny G, and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

The group drew an estimated crowd of 9,000, and the stars wasted no time in thrilling the crowd. On the opening hole, Tebow, the former Florida quarterback who now plays for the Denver Broncos, hit his opening drive to the back fringe of the green on the par-4 opening hole-a windblown clout of some 350 yards from the blue tees.

"I've always been a big fan of Jason Taylor," Nicklaus said, "and Tebow, I think he's an unbelievable athlete and continues to be Mr. Try-And-Go-After-It. And Kenny G is terrific person and a nice player. He is so into what he's doing with the tournament here, the Pro-Am and the charities that he's involved in."