For the 25th year in a row, young golfers from throughout the region will take part in the Future Tour Championship this weekend at the Greenville Golf and Country Club.
Due to COVID-19, players like 17-year-old Lail Shaw from Baton Rouge, La., missed out on their high school seasons and the start of their summer golf. This week many are excited to taste the first real competition they have seen in months.
“I have been practicing a lot, but playing the same course over and over again gets old,” Shaw said. “This is my first time at this tournament, but it is a big one. My goal is to come out here and win.”
This year’s tournament was originally scheduled for May 31, but it was pushed back a week to give tournament volunteers extra time to prepare the event.
Tournament director Bill Brozovich said the Greenville tournament is following all national and state health guidelines. The tournament’s banquet and greeting committee will not occur this season.
A total of 190 golfers, an increase of 20 from last year have signed up to participate in this year’s tournament.
The tournament annually brings in a lot out of town families who not only enjoy great golf but also spend their money in Greenville.
“The economic impact of this tournament is gigantic,” Brozovich said. “Many of our hotels are filled and our restaurants will also see an increase in business. This tournament is so successful because of our emphasis on Southern hospitality.”
Eliza and Bryant Yelverton , from West Point, Miss., were at the golf course Friday morning playing a practice round before they tee off for real Saturday.
Nine-year-old Bryant said he enjoys playing the course because the fast conditions allow him to drive the ball further than usual.
After a day of golf, the family always enjoys going out to eat at one of Greenville’s establishments.
“We really like the Mexican place behind Wal-Mart (El Toro),” mother Laura Yelverton said. “We go there just about every year.”
See Page A16 for a complete list of this weekend’s tee times.
