Calling all golfers — good golfers, bad golfers, Sunday golfers and wannabe golfers. Our beautiful golf club at Beau Pré is pleased and fortunate to be hosting the Magnolia Bluffs Casino Classic golf tournament as part of the National Golf Association tour July 8-14. Young NGA golfers will be spending time in beautiful Natchez, participating in yet another event that will pave their way to playing in the PGA. What a wonderful opportunity for us to welcome them and to assist them on their way to the PGA circuit!

On behalf of the NGA Housing Committee, a special message of thanks goes to all of the hotels, B&Bs and private citizens who are so generously providing housing for these golfers. Without their generosity, it would not be possible for many of these young golfers to continue the tour. If you would like to offer your hospitality to one of these golfers — and perhaps get to know a future PGA champion — please let us know by calling Beau Pré. Someone there will put you in touch with the housing committee.

Beyond the housing issue, we would welcome your assistance and participation in many other ways as well. Woody Allen is organizing all the volunteers needed, and you may call him at 601-431-3562 if you would enjoy being a part of this special venue. Some of the tasks for which help is needed are maintaining the driving range, spotting balls in the rough, manning the leaderboard, scoring, driving shuttles, registration, etc.

Besides the economic impact this tournament may have on our city, there are added benefits. At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, some of the pro golfers will conduct a Junior Clinic for all boys and girls interested in improving their game. Also benefitting is Natchez Children’s Home Services through the sale of the golf guide. All ads sold for this guide translate into direct income for the NCHS. Tuesday night at the pairings party at Magnolia Bluffs Casino, an auction of sports memorabilia and clothing and other donated items will be hosted, with all proceeds going to NCHS.

One notable entry is movie star Lucas Black. Lucas, a native of Decatur, Ala., began his acting career at age 11 and since then has had roles in the TV series “American Gothic” and in memorable films such as “Slingblade” and “Ghosts of Mississippi,” and the lead role in “Crazy in Alabama.”

On Wednesday, July 10, the Pro-Am round of the tournament will take place. For a mere $500 for a single golfer or $2,000 for a team of four, you, as an amateur, could be paired with a professional golfer for an enjoyable round of golf and all of the events associated with the tournament. All golfers at all skill levels are invited to participate.

Tournament competition begins in earnest on Thursday, July 11, and continues through Sunday. Everyone in the community is invited to come out to Beau Pré and watch these young golfers who just may wind up as our future PGA stars and Masters winners. There is no admission fee, so you may come and cheer for an alumnus of your favorite college or university, as there are representatives from throughout the Southeastern Conference.

Community support is vital to this effort, as we would like for it to become an annual event, so whether you are a scratch golfer or a duffer, come on out to Beau Pré and join the fun. We already know that the welcome will be “warm” this July, but we are ready to show hospitality like only Natchez can offer. We will hope for good weather, but just in case we see clouds, we can take the advice of one of my all-time favorite golfers, Lee Trevino: “In case of a thunderstorm, stand in the middle of the fairway and hold up a one-iron. Not even God can hit a one-iron.”

 

Diana Glaze is a members of the NGA Tournament Housing Committee.