MAINEVILLE — Kroger Senior Classic Tournament director Margie French said the estimated 11,528 people in attendance Friday was the largest first-round crowd since Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino played together in 1991.

        That grouping drew more than 40,000 spectators.

        Saturday, three new parking lots in Lebanon were opened to accommodate the large crowds that take a 10-minute bus ride from the parking lot to the course at the TPC at River's Bend.

        French also said she likes the first week of September date for the tournament and asked the Senior PGA for the same weekend next year.

        “It's nice to have the holiday on Monday to start things,” French said.

        Next year, the purse will increase to $1.6 million from $1.5 million. Kroger is signed as the title sponsor through 2004 and the TPC at River's Bend is in the first year of a five-year agreement as the host course.

        SUPER PLAYOFF: Jim Colbert defeated Isao Aoki on the first playoff hole in the Super Seniors competition.

        The winner of the Super Seniors is the player with the lowest 36-hole score over the age of 60. Colbert and Aoki were tied at 6-under Saturday.

        Colbert won $39,000, and it was his sixth career Super Seniors title.

        NO ROPES: The fairway ropes will come down on Nos.17 and 18 for the final group today, part of the tour's new program to allow fans to follow behind players.

        SPLIT TEES: Once again, players will tee off at split tees today between 9:20 and 11:20a.m. using the No.1 and No.10 tees. The leaders will tee off last on No.1.

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