Tag: golf

May 27, 1912: Legendary Golfer Sam Snead Born

Legendary golfer Sam Snead was born on May 27, 1912, in Ashwood, Virginia. In high school, he excelled at baseball, basketball, football, and tennis but decided to focus on golf. He started teaching the game at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs in the ’30s and, in 1936, won the first of 17 West Virginia Opens. The next year—his first on the PGA tour—Snead captured five wins. Then, in 1938, he won the first of eight titles at the Greensboro Open. His last victory at Greensboro came at age 52, making him the oldest player ever to win a tour event. He also won seven majors and a total of 82 PGA tournaments, placing him first all time in victories, ahead of “Tiger” Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

For much of his career, Snead was the golf pro at The Greenbrier. He left in 1974 but returned in 1993. During the last decade of his life, he served as The Greenbrier’s golf professional emeritus, delighting guests with his sense of humor and that smooth signature swing. Sam Snead died in 2002, shortly before his 90th birthday.

May 5, 1923: Golfer Bill Campbell Born in Huntington

Golfer Bill Campbell was born in Huntington on May 5, 1923. He would win more than 30 championships over seven decades, establishing him as one of the greatest amateur golfers in history.

  His father introduced him to the game when Bill Campbell was only three. At age 15, he played in his first U.S. Amateur Tournament, where he met Sam Snead. Snead would become first a mentor and then lifelong friend to Campbell.

After serving in Europe during World War II, Campbell returned to Huntington and worked in the insurance business. He also served three years in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Despite his rare talent, he remained an amateur and played in the U.S. Amateur Championship 37 times, winning it in 1964 at age 41. He won 15 state amateur titles, three West Virginia Opens, two World Amateur Championships, and back-to-back U.S. Senior Amateur titles. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990 and, along with Snead, became the inaugural inductees into the West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. Bill Campbell died in Lewisburg in 2013 at age 90.

More Volunteers Sought at Greenbrier Classic

The Greenbrier Classic’s free ticket giveaway has prompted officials to look for more volunteers to help this year’s golf tournament run smoothly.

Greenbrier owner Jim Justice says in a news release he’ll hold a drawing in which one volunteer will win $20,000 at the end of the tournament.

The tournament is the week of July 4 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Earlier this month, Justice announced that fans will get in for free.

Volunteers will receive a tournament shirt and other items, including meal vouchers. They can choose between a free round of golf or a spa treatment.

Volunteers working four to seven shifts will get a one-night stay at the resort. Those with eight or more shifts will get a round of golf for two and a two-night stay.

Justice Plans W.Va. Golf Course Designed by Legends

The billionaire owner of The Greenbrier resort says Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino will design a nearby mountaintop golf course.

Jim Justice announced plans for the new golf course, ski slopes and housing development in a news release Monday.

The release says the golf resort will break ground within 30 days and is expected to open in fall 2016. Justice says he hopes to attract the U.S. Open to the course someday.

The Greenbrier currently hosts The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour event coming up over the July 4 weekend.

The resort also hosts the New Orleans Saints football training camp part-time.

Justice is running for West Virginia governor as a Democrat. The primary election is in May 2016, followed by the general election that November.

WVU Gets A Golf Coach

Sean Covich will be the head coach of the men’s golf program. The golf team will start competing in July 2015, according to a news release.

Covich spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the Mississippi State University Bulldogs, a school in the Southeastern Conference.

Men’s golf was actually a varsity sport at WVU from 1933-82.

The reintroduction of men’s golf as a varsity sport will satisfy a requirement from WVU’s Conference, the Big 12, that a school must meet a minimum of six men’s and six women’s sports.

At the start of the 2015-16 academic year, WVU will have six men’s sports and 10 women’s sports, recognized by the Big 12.

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