Duncan Park, PGA to discuss 100th year

Published 12:02 am Saturday, June 28, 2014

NATCHEZ — Duncan Park officials are hoping they can blow out their 100th birthday candles in 2016 with the PGA right by their side.

Golf course director Greg Brooking, advisor Dan Bland and PGA pro Jimmy Headrick were having a chat after Headrick spent the day at the Norman Puckett Jr. golf clinic for children earlier this month, when the coincidence was brought up that Duncan Park’s golf course and the PGA will both turn 100 years old in 2016.

That’s the same year Natchez will celebrate its 300th birthday with yearlong Tricentennial celebration.

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“(Headrick) was really impressed with the age of the golf course and he realized our course, and the PGA’s birth date was in same year and thought it would be neat to recognize all courses in the U.S. that were turning the same age,” Brooking said.

PGA and Duncan Park teaming up in 2016 is still in the early developing stage as they hope to get great feedback when Headrick takes the idea to the corporate offices.

But Brooking and Bland are already excited about the possibilities that could come with the opportunity.

“I like that the PGA would even consider recognizing us,” Brooking said. “I like that we have historical value. It could be a possible economic boom for Natchez. Just think of the publicity we’ll get nationwide. That’s what really gets me excited. We really have a beautiful golf course.”

Bland and Brooking said if the idea goes through, they hope to see a few things unfold.

“We’re hoping the PGA will publish our anniversary in their publications or at a pro tour event to bring people to the tricentennial celebration,” Bland said.

Brooking is hoping once those people do come to Natchez for the tricentennial, the PGA could put on golf tournaments.

“I would be looking for an enhanced tournament schedule, honoring people in the city that had to do with the development of Duncan Park,” Brooking said.

Brooking said it was not only the age of the course that tickled Headrick’s fancy, but the beautification of it as well.

“We really have a beautiful golf course, people would be amazed to see a public municipal course like outs,” Brooking said. “We’re lucky to have one.”

Brooking said he hopes to further develop a partnership with the PGA in the future.