Loren Roberts talks up next week's Boeing Classic

"I know you will all be out there rooting for Fred Couples, but I hope we can at least give him a run for his money," Roberts said at a downtown luncheon Monday to kick off the festivities for this year's event.

The Champions Tour event for players 50 and older is in its sixth year at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge. The three-day tournament begins Friday, Aug. 27, and will be free that day to all spectators.

Roberts won last year's event by making birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to beat Mark O'Meara by one shot.

"To make birdies on those last two holes and not have to play in a sudden-death playoff was pretty special," said Roberts, who is known as the "boss of the moss" for his putting prowess.

Many of the stars from the U.S. Senior Open that ended on Aug. 1 at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish are expected to play in the Boeing Classic, including Senior Open champion Bernhard Langer, who beat Seattle-native Couples in a final-round duel.

Roberts, 55, said players who are long hitters have an advantage at the Boeing Classic, and he said the course will suit the 50-year-old Couples.

"He is just going to kill the par-5s," Roberts said.

The Boeing Classic's agreement with the TPC at Snoqualmie ended after last year's event, but a new agreement keeps the tournament at the course through 2012. Boeing is committed as a sponsor through 2012.