Stockton Remains on Course : Golf: As the leading money winner, he heads field going into senior tournament at Rancho Park, which begins today.

After winning the Players Championship, more than $650,000 and rookie-of-the-year honors last year on the Senior PGA Tour, Dave Stockton’s comment was, “I’ll do better next year.”

The former USC golfer from San Bernardino is some prophet. With the 1993 season winding down, Stockton has won five tournaments and more than $1 million.

Stockton and left-hander Bob Charles are engaged in a spirited duel for the money title. With only three tournaments remaining, Stockton leads by $38,000.

That is one reason Stockton would like to add the $650,000 Ralphs Senior Classic, the 54-hole event starting today at Rancho Park Golf Course, to his list of victories.

“Having grown up in Southern California, it would be special to win here,” Stockton said. “It would give me a local double, because I won the L.A. Open at Riviera in 1974.

“I’m glad (the tour) stayed at Rancho. It’s a thinking man’s course. I won’t be as nervous as the first time I played here. That was in January, 1965. I was in the group with Arnold Palmer. I had never met him. . . . I was nervous, but I shot a 65 to his 73.”

Palmer is in the field this time, too. In his most recent tournament he shot a final-round 67.

Charles, having an amazing year at 57, is also entered. He missed a 12-foot birdie try on the last hole at Sacramento last Sunday that would have put him in a playoff with winner George Archer.

Archer, Lee Trevino, who is on a hot streak, Bob Murphy, Gary Player and former champion Mike Hill also will challenge the 6,301-yard, par-71 course today.

Stockton, who won 11 tournaments on the regular tour, but none after winning his second PGA championship in 1976, has been on a roll since 1991, the year he was captain of the Ryder Cup team that beat the Europeans.

Once known as the “King of corporate golf” because he averaged 90 days a year in corporate outings, Stockton quickly established himself as a top senior. He finished in the top 10 14 times last year and this year has been in the top three 11 times.

“The reason I figured I would play better this year was because almost all the courses we played last year were new to me,” Stockton said. “I knew that with familiarity, I would improve. What I didn’t know was that the rest of my game--driving, iron play, everything--would improve, too.

“My short game used to be the strongest part. Actually, I wasn’t putting well early. But since the middle of August, everything has come together and I’m at the top of my game.”

His only complaint is that golf interferes with his No. 2 sport--hunting. But he managed to find time for pheasant hunting Tuesday near Redlands--he lives in nearby Mentone--and was right on target, bagging several birds.

Stockton, who will turn 52 on Nov. 2, is one of the younger stars of the 50-and-over group and expects to play a full schedule again next season. However, if everything works as he hopes, he may take some time off to watch son, Dave Jr., play on the regular tour. Young Stockton, 25, won two events on the satellite Nike tour this year and $64,000.

“He had an erratic year,” Stockton said. “But he finished 23rd and qualified for the final round of qualifying school. If he makes the tour, I’ll probably want to see him play.”