FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 18, 2013) -- The Silver Wings Golf Course on Fort Rucker doesn't have a shortage of tournaments, but one tournament offers a unique experience where golfers can not only compete, but also learn.
The 2013 SWGC Pro Am Tournament will be Aug. 3 and will give amateur golfers the opportunity to learn and play with professionals of the game, according to Chet Hallman, SWGC business manager
"It's a great opportunity that you don't really see in our area often," said Hallman. "It's just something unique that we try to offer to our members and the public in general."
The event is open to the public with an entry fee of $100 for non-members and $75 for members. Professional participants must enter through the Emerald Coast Professional Golf tour organization.
"The professionals (who participate are) from the Emerald Coast Tour, some from the NGA Hooters Tour, and some Dixie-Session professionals as well," said the business manager. "This is a fun and unique format to give these guys a chance to see some really good players."
The tournament differs from other tournaments hosted at the course because of not only the fact that professionals will be involved, but the team play will be different as well.
"Normally, when we have a typical tournament, most are four-person scrambles," said Hallman. "The game they play this time will be Team Stableford, which is a point system."
Each pro will team up with amateurs to create a five-person team, and the teams will score points depending on how well they shoot and lump their scores together and add them to the pot. Unlike traditional scoring in golf, the goal in the Stableford point system is to have the highest possible score rather than the lowest.
Last year's tournament brought nearly 100 participants together and Hallman hopes to either match or beat that number this year.
"We're hoping for a full fill, 100-120 amateurs and 30-40 professionals to participate," he said. "This is a fun and unique format to give these guys a chance to see some really good players."
The night before the tournament, SWGC will host a social meet-and-greet that will start at 7 p.m. as a way for people to get to know each other and meet some of the golf pros. Additionally, names will be drawn at random to be placed in teams with each professional golfer.
Entry into the tournament will also come with dinner that night during the meet-and-greet and breakfast the following morning before the tournament. Participants will also be given a SWGC T-shirt and other items.
In conjunction with the Pro-Am Tournament, some of the professionals are competing as an individual in addition to competing with their team for the Emerald Coast Professional Tournament, said Hallman. The professionals will compete again on Sunday for the second round, and the low score over the 36 holes for both days will determine the winner.
All entries must be received by 5 p.m. July 19. For more information, call 598-2449.
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