Margie French has breakfast at home overlooking a golf course. Then she goes to her temporary office overlooking a golf course. Then she meets her husband for, you guessed it, golf.

        A little obsessed, maybe?

        Nope, it's just the way things have turned out. Ms. French, see, is tournament director of the Kroger Senior Classic presented by U.S. Bank. She's one of only five females holding the title on the 42-city circuit.

        But swirling around the vortex of a testosterone-driven old boys' network doesn't faze her.

Margie French on the course at the TPC Player's Golf Club.. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        “Honestly, I have a really good relationship with tour officials. But I work hard at it. I'm a member of the Tournament Sponsors Association and on three committees, so I have access and their ear. And yes, I sometimes fill those ears. When I disagree I let them know. But politely. Always politely.”

        Whatever she's doing, she's doing it right. Pro senior players consistently list Cincinnati as one of their favorite tournaments on the tour.

        Maybe that's because she's had a few years to do her homework. The Mason resident began volunteering at an ancestor of the Kroger in 1974 when she was still working at General Electric, her first job out of high school. But she worked out so well at the tournament that she was hired on as tournament secretary in 1976, named tournament coordinator a few years later and tournament director four years ago.

        It's no small job: “All aspects of the tournament go through my office — hotel reservations, equipment orders, contracts with TV, positioning camera platforms and TV trucks, administering the pro am, finding sponsors, pampering players, coming up with new ideas to make this year more interesting than last.

        “I don't want to imply that I personally do all that because I have a wonderful staff to help, but I am ultimately responsible for all of it.”

        Part of that “wonderful staff” is husband Ray, the tournament's operations director.

        “He's from Australia. We met when he was visiting his aunt, one of my neighbors. I was a widow and we got to know each other, then started visiting back and forth. We married 15 years ago.

        “He sold his plastics business, moved here and began working in operations at the golf tournament, then went to the ATP. I lured him back to the tournament and he quickly made himself indispensable. A real Godsend.”

        It also made her an instant mother. “I never had children, but Ray has a son and two grandchildren who absolutely aren't allowed to call me "granny.' They call me Toodles Nan.”

        Not that she always knows what they're calling her. “Their accents. Half the time I can't understand them. Even with Ray, after 15 years, he has to keep repeating things and I still don't know what he's talking about. Usually I make him slow down and spell it.”

        She and Ray are talking more than ever right now — “never at home. We never discuss business there” — because both of their jobs are bigger this year than ever before, thanks to the tournament's new digs.

        Traditionally held on the Grizzly course at the Golf Center at Kings Island, this year it moves to TPC at River's Bend in Maineville, a par-72 course designed by Arnold Palmer, one of the pro's committed to play this year's Kroger.

        TPC is an abbreviation for Tournament Player's Course, golf-speak for a course designed specifically for championship play. There are about 20 TPCs in the country.

        “Generally the players are happy about the move because it takes the tournament to the next level. Some of our older players might not like it at first because it's longer than the Grizzly, but I think once they see the challenges it offers, they'll be happy with the move.

        “I'm happy about it, but I don't have to play it. The course is really, really tough for me.”

        When she plays, which is fairly often, it's more of a social do where they play Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

        “It's first on (the green), first in (the cup) and closest to the pin. We play for a dime a point and trust me, no one cares about score.”

        People care a lot more about score at the Kroger, but there's a lot more than a dime at stake. Total purse is $1.5 million.

        Another number Ms. French likes to drop is $1.6 million. That's the amount of money the tournament has given to charity. Another is 100,000. That's the number of people who will come through the turnstiles this year.

        Still another is 70 million the number that watches at least part of it on CNBC. And 125 million,the number that will see highlights on ESPN, CNN and other sports networks.

        “But you know, there's so much more that goes on than the tournament,” she says. “Our goal has been to make this a true family event and to always have something new.”

        New stuff like Heroes Day on Sept. 6, when active members of the military, law enforcement officers and firefighters are admitted free.

        And stuff like the Marty & Joe Junior Pro-Am Sept. 2, where 20 young golfers are paired with one pro and one business exec and play the front nine.

        “It's all about keeping it young and fresh, so fans have fun and the staff feels energized that next day when we start work on the 2003 tournament.

        “That's what makes it work. It really is a year 'round commitment.”

        People who know her say it's her commitment that makes it work, but she'll have none of that. “We're a team. A really good team. That's all it takes.”

        The Kroger Senior Classic is Sept. 6-8. Related activities begin Sept. 2. All week badges are $45-$55; single day tickets are $20. Available at Kroger stores or by calling the tournament at 932-6809 or (800) 883-6538. More info at web site.
       

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