DATE: Friday, July 4, 1997                  TAG: 9707040848

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   46 lines

PREMIUM FIELD ON TAP FOR MICHELOB GOLF TOURNEY FALDO, COUPLES, LOVE AND KITE COULD HIT KINGSMILL IN OCTOBER

When the Michelob Championship moved from its traditional July slot on the PGA Tour calendar to October, one hope was the new date would produce a more attractive field.

So far, so good.

Although it's early, and nothing is official until players commit with the PGA the Friday before a tournament starts, several marquee players have indicated they will play at Kingsmill Oct. 9-12.

The most intriguing is Nick Faldo, who according to a source has said the Michelob is in his plans. Other noteworthy players who have said they will participate include Fred Couples, Davis Love III, 1997 Ryder Cup captain Tom Kite and defending champion Scott Hoch.

Nadine Hughes of the London agency that represents Faldo would only say that Faldo is mulling a fall appearance in Virginia: ``I know he's keen to playing in that tournament; it's on his mind.''

Michelob Championship executive director Johnnie Bender would only say that an ``international star who's never been here before'' indicated he will play. She declined to be more specific.

Faldo is a three-time winner of both the Masters the British Open, and has appeared in the Ryder Cup 10 times. He entered this year with five PGA Tour victories and 33 international victories, and won the Nissan Open earlier this season.

In addition to Couples, Love, Kite and Hoch, who have 49 PGA Tour victories and 13 Ryder Cup appearances among them, Bender said she has been told by John Cook and Justin Leonard, both winners on tour this year, that they intend to play the Michelob.

``Some of the local people who always ask about marquee players are going to be quite pleased with the turnout,'' Bender said.

Bender reiterated that nothing is official until the players commit in October. But with the move away from the oppressive heat of July and the impediment of being on the schedule a week before the British Open, Bender is confident the Michelob field will be stronger than ever.

``If it doesn't grow from here I'll be disappointed,'' Bender said. ``You can anticipate a great field.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Nick Faldo

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