July 6-9, 2006
Prairie Dunes Country Club,
Hutchinson, Kan.

PAR AND YARDAGE – Prairie Dunes Country Club is set up at 6,646 yards and par is 35-35—70.

HOLE-BY-HOLE

COURSE SET UP:

• Fairways –Cut to approximately ½ inch
• Intermediate rough -- Cut to 1 ½ inches
• Primary rough – Cut to 4 ½ inches
• Putting greens – USGA stimpmeter reading at 10 feet
• Green approaches and closely mown areas – Cut to 3/8 to 7/16 inch
• Collars around putting greens – Cut to 3/8 to 7/16 inch
• Native areas – Left in natural condition
• The Championship set-up results in a USGA Course Rating of 75.1 and Slope Rating of 149.

ARCHITECT– Prairie Dunes was built in two stages. The front nine was designed by Perry Maxwell and opened in 1937. The back nine was designed by his son, Press Maxwell, and opened in 1957. Known for its links-land style, high prairie grass in the rough as well as narrow fairways and undulating greens, Prairie Dunes was created by the Carey family of Hutchinson, Kan .

USGA AND PRAIRIE DUNES – This is the eighth USGA championship to be conducted at Prairie Dunes. The U.S. Women's Amateur has been conducted at Prairie Dunes three times: 1964, won by Barbara McIntire, 1980, won by Juli Inkster, and 1991, won by Amy Fruhwirth. David Eger won the 1988 U.S. Mid-Amateur and James Stahl Jr., won the 1995 USGA Senior Amateur championship. In 2002, Juli Inkster won the Women's Open.

In addition, the 1986 Curtis Cup Match, won by the squad from Great Britain & Ireland, was played at Prairie Dunes.

OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS: The 1958 Trans-Mississippi Amateur, won by Jack Nicklaus, was the club's first championship. The Trans-Miss was also contested at Prairie Dunes in 1973, 1987, 1996 and 2005. In May, Prairie Dunes was the site of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship, which was won by Wichita State. The course played to par 70 and 6,598 yards. Ryan Spears of Wichita State won the individual title by seven strokes with a 3-under-par total of 207.

2005 CHAMPIONSHIP RE-CAP– With a closing round of 8-under-par 63, Allen Doyle surged from nine strokes off the lead to capture the 2005 U.S. Senior Open on the South Course at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio. Doyle's closing round tied the record for lowest 18-hole score in any of the three USGA open championships, while his nine-stroke surge established a record for the largest comeback in the final round. He finished at 10-under-par 274 to win by one stroke over D.A. Weibring and Loren Roberts, and by two strokes over Greg Norman, who was making his first appearance in the U.S. Senior Open .

"My thought process was simply go out and play as good a round as I could play," Doyle said. "I won the [1999] Senior PGA Championship shooting 64 on Sunday. You just have to put the score up and make it happen."

Indeed, Doyle finished the final round in his steady and unassuming manner more than one hour before the championship leaders. While Doyle waited in the clubhouse and practiced putting, one by one the other contenders tumbled down the leader board. The win was Doyle's third ‘major' on the Champions Tour and the the second biggest in Champions Tour history (Jay Sigel, 10 strokes, 1994 GTE West Classic) and the second biggest in any major (Paul Lawrie, 10 strokes, 1999 British Open). At 57 years, five days, he became the second-oldest U.S. Senior Open winner (Roberto De Vicenzo, 1980, 57 years, 2 months, 15 days).

MEDIA CONFERENCE WITH ALLEN DOYLE – Defending champion Allen Doyle will meet with all interested credentialed media at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday (July 25) in the Media Center at Praire Dunes C.C.The complete schedule of pre-championship interviews will be published and distributed prior to Championship week at the Media Center.

PLAYER INTERVIEWS – A complete schedule of pre-Championship interviews and times will be published and distributed prior to Championship week.

WWW.USGA.ORG – Log on to the U.S. Senior Open Web site www.ussenioropen.com for the latest information during the Championship.

PURSE – The 2006 purse is $2.6 million, and the winner receives $470,000.

FORMAT – The championship is played at stroke play over 72 holes. There are 156 players in the championship field, comprised of those advancing from sectional qualifying, and those exempt from sectional qualifying. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the 60 lowest scorers and ties and anyone within 10 strokes of the leader.

PLAYOFF FORMAT – If a playoff is needed, the U.S. Senior Open will use a multiple-hole, aggregate score format. If there is a tie or ties at the end of 72 holes, a 3- or 4-hole playoff will follow immediately. If the playoff results in a tie, play will continue hole-by-hole until a champion is determined.

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY – First played in 1980, this is the 27th U.S. Senior Open Championship. A total of 21 players have won the first 26 championships. There have been five playoffs. Twenty-four clubs have hosted the championship with Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham Hills, Mich. and Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., having served twice as a Senior Open site.

Date Network Broadcast Hours (EDT)

• July 5 ESPN2 5:30-6 p.m. (preview show)
• July 6 ESPN 2-6 p.m.
• July 7 ESPN 2-6 p.m.
• July 8 NBC 3-6 p.m.
• July 9 NBC 3-6 p.m.

A three- or four-hole playoff for the 2006 U.S. Senior Open would be played Sunday (July 9) starting immediately after the completion of 72 holes. NBC would broadcast the playoff in its entirety.

KANSAS AND THE USGA: The USGA has held 16 previous championships in the state of Kansas, the most recent being the 2002 U.S. Women's Open at Prairie Dunes. This is the first Senior Open in Kansas.

REPEAT AND MULTIPLE WINNERS – Miller Barber (1984 and 1985) and Gary Player (1987 and 1988) are the only players with back–to–back Senior Open victories. Hale Irwin (1998 and 2000) and Jack Nicklaus (1991 and 1993), are the only other multiple winners.

TWO TEES – Players start on both the first and 10^th tees during competition on Thursday and Friday, beginning between 7:15 a.m.

USGA CHAMPIONS – A total of 31 USGA champions are in the field. They have won an aggregate of 43 championships.

Dale Douglass – 1986 Senior Open
Allen Doyle – 2005 Senior Open
Dave Eichelberger – 1999 Senior Open
David Eger – 1988 Mid-Amateur
Bruce Fleisher – 1968 Amateur, 2001 Senior Open
Hubert Green – 1977 Open
Fred Haney – 1971 Amateur Public Links
John Harris – 1993 Amateur
Hale Irwin – 1974, 1979, 1990 Open, 1998 and 2002 Senior Open
Peter Jacobsen – 2004 Senior Open
Bob Kearney – 1999 USGA Men’s State Team
Tom Kite – 1992 Open
Larry Laoretti – 1992 Senior Open
Bruce Lietzke – 2003 Senior Open
Graham Marsh – 1997 Senior Open
Larry Nelson – 1983 Open
Jerry Pate – 1976 Open
Gary Player – 1965 Open, 1987, 1988 Senior Open
Don Pooley – 2002 Senior Open
Jack Renner – 1973 Junior Amateur
Greg Reynolds – 2002 USGA Senior Amateur
Mike Rice – 2005 USGA Senior Amateur
Jay Sigel – 1982, 1983 Amateur, 1983, 1985, 1987 Mid-Amateur
Scott Simpson – 1987 Open
Craig Stadler – 1973 Amateur
Curtis Strange – 1988, 1989 Open
Lanny Wadkins – 1980 Amateur
Tom Watson – 1982 Open
George Zahringer – 2002 Mid-Amateur
Fuzzy Zoeller – 1984 Open

WINNERS OF U.S. OPEN & U.S. SENIOR OPEN – With his victory at Riviera Country Club in 1998, Hale Irwin became the seventh man to win both the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open. Here's a table detailing these multiple winners:

PAST CHAMPIONS – All past champions are exempt for future Senior Opens.

2005 Allen Doyle NCR C.C. Kettering, Ohio
2004 Peter Jacobsen Bellerive C.C. St. Louis, Mo.
2003 Bruce Lietzke Inverness Club Toledo, Ohio
2002 Don Pooley Caves Valley G.C. Baltimore, Md.
2001 Bruce Fleisher Salem C.C. Peabody, Mass.
2000 Hale Irwin Saucon Valley C.C. Bethlehem, Pa.
1999 Dave Eichelberger Des Moines G &C.C. W. Des Moines, Iowa
1998 Hale Irwin Riviera C.C. Los Angeles, Calif.
1997 Graham Marsh Olympia Fields C.C. Olympia Fields, Ill.
1996 Dave Stockton Canterbury G.C. Beachwood, Ohio
1995 Tom Weiskopf Congressional C.C. Bethesda, Md.
1994 Simon Hobday Pinehurst R. & C.C. Pinehurst, N.C.
1993 Jack Nicklaus Cherry Hills C.C. Englewood, Colo.
1992 Larry Laoretti Saucon Valley C.C. Bethlehem, Pa.
1991 Jack Nicklaus Oakland Hills C.C. Birmingham, Mich.
1990 Lee Trevino Ridgewood C.C. Paramus, N.J.
1989 Orville Moody Laurel Valley C.C. Ligonier, Pa.
1988 Gary Player Medinah C.C. Medinah, Ill.
1987 Gary Player Brooklawn C.C. Fairfield, Conn.
1986 Dale Douglass Scioto C.C. Columbus, Ohio
1985 Miller Barber Edgewood Tahoe G.C. Stateline, Nev.
1984 Miller Barber Oak Hill C.C. Rochester, N.Y.
1983 Billy Casper Hazeltine National G.C. Chaska, Minn.
1982 Miller Barber Portland G.C. Portland, Ore.
1981 Arnold Palmer Oakland Hills C.C. Birmingham, Mich.
1980 R. De Vicenzo Winged Foot G.C. Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Note: The champions in italics did not inthe 2006 field.

2006 ENTRIES – The USGA received 2,729 entries. The record was 3,101 in 2002.

WHO CAN ENTER – The Senior Open is open to any professional or amateur with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4 who turns 50 on or before July 6, 2006. Entries close on May 31.

MOST SENIOR OPEN APPEARANCES: Counting the 2006 Senior Open, following is a chart of the most appearances at the championship.

26 – Arnold Palmer(longest active consecutive appearances)
21 – Dale Douglas
19 – Miller Barber
18 – GaryPlayer
16 – Chi Chi Rodriguez, Bob Charles,
15 – LARRY LAORETTI

LOCAL USGA GRANTS INITIATIVES:
The Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson
Program Director: Skip Wilson
600 W. 2^nd Street; Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: 620.665.7171
swilson@midusa.net

The junior golf program at the Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson celebrates its ten-year anniversary this year. The USGA is happy to have been a funding partner with the Club since 2001, supporting the junior golf program with over $40,000. Thanks to the commitment and dedication of its director, Skip Wilson, the golf program positively impacts the lives of several hundred youths annually in the Hutchinson area. The program strives to equip its participants with golf skills and the values of integrity, character, sportsmanship, and honesty that are so inherent to the game.

TICKETS – A variety of tickets are available beginning at $25 for a one-day grounds pass for practice days July 3-5. Daily passes for championship days (July 6-9) are $40 each. A weekly pass, including all practice rounds, is $110. Youth, ages 17 and under, are admitted free with a ticketed adult. To order tickets, call the Championship office at (877) 325-GOLF or order online at www.2006usseniorpen.com.

DIRECTIONS TO PRAIRIE DUNES – From Wichita Airport to Media Parking: Exit the airport and follow signs towards Wichita. Stay on Ridge Road (center lane) for 5-7 miles until you come to K-96 West. Take K-96 West to Yoder Road (approximately 35 miles) and go north on Yoder Road to Highway 61. Yoder Road turns into Airport Road and will veer to the left, and then becomes 17^th Street. Take 17^th Street to Highway 61. Turn right onto Highway 61 and take this to 30^th Street. Make a right (east) on 30^th Street. Follow signs for Media Parking (Lot A) at the Prairie Dunes Middle School.

MEDIA CENTER PHONE NUMBERS – Contact USGA media relations staff members at Prairie Dunes Country Club during the U.S. Senior by phone at (620) 802-0100 . Staff members on site will be Craig Smith, Rand Jerris, Suzanne Colson, Nancy Stulack, Greg Smore and Pete Kowalski.

FUTURE SENIOR OPENS – The 2007 U.S. Senior Open will be conducted July 5-8 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colo., from July 31-Aug. 3, 2008; and at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind., in 2009.

PLAYERS FULLY EXEMPT FOR THE 2006 U.S. SENIOR OPEN (68)

Key to Player Exemptions --

1. Former winners of the U.S. Senior Open.
2. Winners of the U.S. Open in the last 10 years. (1997-2006)
3. Winners of the U.S. Amateur in the last 10 years. (1996-2005)
4. Winners of the Masters Tournament in the last 10 years (1997-2006)
5. Winners of the British Open in the last 10 years (1996-2005)
6. Winners of the PGA Championship in the last 10 years. (1996-2005)
7. Winners of the PGA Seniors Championship in the last 10 years. (1997-2006)
8 Winners of the British Senior Open Championship in the last 3 years (2003-2005).
9. The 25 lowest scorers and ties from the 2005 U.S. Senior Open.
10. From the 2006 U.S. Open, any amateur returning a 72-hole score
11. The low amateur at the 2005 U.S. Senior Open.
12. From the U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Mid-Amateur and USGA Senior Amateur, the winners from the last two years and the semifinalists from the most recent championships
13. Playing members of the 2003 and 2005 USA Walker Cup teams and 2002 and 2004 USA World Amateur Teams
14. Playing members of the five most recent U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams
15. The top 30 money leaders from the 2005 Champions Tour money list.
16. The top 50 players on the Champions Tour all-time money list through May 31
17. The top 20 money leaders on the 2006 Champions Tour money list through May 31
18. Winners of Champions Tour events in the last three years (2003-2005) and the current calendar year.
19. The leading money winner from the 2005 Senior PGA European Tour Order of Merit
20. Winners of PGA Tour co-sponsored events in the last five years (2001-2005) and during the current calendar year.
21. Any player in his first five years of age eligibility for U.S. Open winners
22. Any player turning 50 in the last calendar year who has won a U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, Masters Tournament, British Open, British Amateur, or PGA Championship (one-time exemption)
23. Special exemptions as selected by the USGA Executive Committee.