By John Erardi
Enquirer staff writer

It's not official yet, but golfing luminary Craig Stadler might be playing in this year's Kroger Classic at River's Bend.

Defending champion Gil Morgan has heard the same reports, and would welcome Stadler's presence, even though it might lessen Morgan's chances of winning this tournament for the third time and the second consecutive year.

"This tour (the Champions Tour, formerly known as the Senior Tour) is all about star power," Morgan said at the Kroger Classic Media Day at the Tournament Players Club. "I'd like to see as many as these (former PGA Tour stars) here as possible. It might be detrimental to myself as a player, but it's a benefit to the (Champions) Tour."

The Kroger Classic, Sept. 10-12, is again assured of a good field of terrific ball-strikers - among the other top players already enrolled are Jerry Pate and Mark James - but the addition of a former A-role player such as Stadler would help tremendously. He garnered a lot of face time on TV in the heyday of his PGA Tour run. "The Walrus" has the mug and the infamous disposition (dour) to bring out fans.

Some former superstars have enjoyed playing on the senior circuit. Among them are Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and Raymond Floyd. (Palmer, who designed this course, hasn't committed, but remains a possibility. He played the first Kroger Classic at TPC/River's Bend, in 2002.) Others, such as Jack Nicklaus, only rarely played senior events, usually just the majors and a handful more. Among the "younger" seniors, Greg Norman falls into that same category. Morgan said Norman would add considerable buzz to this event, and personally would like to see him enter it someday.

Tom Watson has struck sort of a middle ground, winning a lot of money on the Champions Tour but not playing a full slate.

"He's not out here as much as we (fellow players, sponsors and galleries) would like to see, but we appreciate" his level of involvement, Morgan said.

Watson doesn't figure to be here, nor does Tom Kite.

Morgan, who will turn 58 on Sept. 25, has won once already this year, for his 23rd career victory on the Champions Tour. It is the ninth year straight year he has won at least one senior event.

"I'm running out of daylight," he said, grinning, noting that he will play 23 to 26 of the 31 senior tour events this year, to take advantage of his solid length and nerves.

The Kroger will be his fourth straight week of golf, after Hickory, N.C., Portland, Ore., and Pebble Beach, Calif.

"That's a lot of criss-crossing the country," said Morgan, noting that owning a share in a private-jet company makes it doable.

Kroger Classic week

Mon., Sept. 6: Practice; "Marty & Joe" Junior Pro-Am.

Tues., Sept. 7: Practice; U.S. Financial Life Insurance Champions Tour Wives Challenge, Argosy Skins Game.

Wed., Sept. 8: Practice, Sara Lee Pro-Am.

Thurs., Sept 9: Practice, Sara Lee Pro-Am.

Fri., Sept. 10: First round, Kroger Classic.

Sat., Sept. 11: Second round; Enquirer Hole in One Challenge; Dave Pelz Short Game Clinic, Kids Fun Zone.

Sun., Sept 12: Third round; Kids Fun Zone, Awards ceremony.