As the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf prepares to mark its first decade in the Coastal Empire, tournament officials announced that every past champion of the event in Savannah is expected to be in the field this year.

The Legends of Golf begins April 16 with competition in the Demaret Division and is highlighted by the three-day Legends Division event that ends April 22. The Demaret Division, a two-day tourney, includes golfers who are 70 years and up. The Raphael Division will be played April 20-21.

The Legends of Golf is going into its 10th year at the The Club at Savannah Harbor, and the event — credited for leading to the establishment of what is now the Champions Tour — is embarking on its 35th year. Liberty Mutual has been the title sponsor for the last 33 years, making it the longest-running sponsor in golf.

Champions Tour communications director Mark Williams noted that when Liberty Mutual began its title sponsor run, Jimmy Carter was U.S. president and the first test tube baby was born.

"Thirty-three years as a sponsor is hard to fathom," he said.

The Legends has been in Savannah longer than any of its tenures at its previous locations. And it will remain on the banks of the Savannah River through 2013 at the least.

"This is a very, very important year for the tournament," said Westin Savannah general manager Mark Spadoni.

Course superintendents have to strike a balance between having the course appear lush and green for the television audience and having it play firm and fast, which is what the players prefer. But a unique irrigation system allows the rough to be watered differently than the fairways.

As befitting a name such as the Champions Tour, the teams that have committed to the Legends of Golf have a trophy case full of major titles. Mark O’Meara and Nick Price, who won the event in 2010, have five major titles between them. The 2009 champs, Bernhard Langer and Tom Lehman, have three major championships.

Andy North, a two-time U.S. Open winner, Tom Watson, who has won eight majors, and Hale Irwin, another multiple U.S. Open winner, also are expected to be in the field. Russ Cochran and Kenny Perry also are expected to team up for the tourney.

Organizers also said the players interact more frequently and more easily with the crowd.

"I’m struck by how accessible the Champions Tour players are," Williams said.

The event went back to its roots as a two-team competition beginning in 2009 and was a welcome change by the Champions Tour members to the old format.

"It’s the only team event they get to play in all year," Williams said.

The tournament is a favorite stop among the Champions Tour players, the 50 years old and over set, many of whom still compete on the PGA Tour.

"They love this tournament being in Savannah," said Williams.

Said David Eger, who teamed with Mark McNulty to win in a playoff last year: "It’s a charming city and a great place to have the tournament."

McNulty expressed how much the players enjoy taking in the city, and its restaurants, once a round on the course is done.

"The first question that’s asked is ‘What time is that ferry crossing?’" he said. "I just love the place. It’s one of the few places in America that gives you the feeling it was built a long, long time ago."

Admission to the Demaret Division event is complimentary, and tickets are $15 per round the rest of the week. There also will be pro-am tournaments April 18 and 19, and as part of the festivities, tournament organizers are holding a concert April 20 at Forsyth Park, featuring Little Big Town and the Charlie Daniels Band.

"It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase to the world Savannah," Spadoni said.

Tournament executive director Joe Rotellini said the tournament’s charity fundraising surpassed the $1.5 million mark last year.

"And that’s what professional golf is all about," he said.