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2003 Tournament Recap
Hootie Tourney Flourishes in Myrtle Beach
If the first year is any indication, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am is going to have a fruitful stay on the Grand Strand.
Though figures haven't been tabulated, an estimated 5,000 spectators filled Barefoot Resort's Dye Course on Monday. The tournament has a waiting list for amateur teams and it appears on pace to approach or break its record for charity donations.
The crowd for the ninth annual event, which moved to Myrtle Beach after two years at Kiawah Island, was estimated by PGA Tour member Brett Quigley, who has participated in all but the first Hootie pro-am, to be among the two or three largest in tournament history. Attendance peaked at 13,000 in Columbia, at the height of the band's popularity, and an estimated 4,000 attended last year. Perfect weather helped late ticket sales. ''There was a great turnout today,'' Quigley said. ''I'm impressed with the people who turned out and all the companies and people supporting it.'' Tournament Director Paul Graham considers 30 teams ideal, and last year only 27 teams participated. This year, Graham admitted 33 teams, with a waiting list. ''I think Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and the people of Myrtle Beach have done an excellent job promoting this event,'' Graham said.
Monday was a good day for Tom Watson. His group, which included Hootie lead singer Darius Rucker and Marino, won the scramble tournament with a 16-under-par 56, and he was informed by Rucker that the band is donating $10,000 to his caddie, Bruce Edwards. Edwards has been Watson's caddie for the better part of 30 years has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. ''Tom spends his time to come out for our charities, and we'd just like to repay the favors,'' Hootie drummer Jim Sonefeld said.
Though it didn't start out that way, it also turned into a pretty nice afternoon for Steve Greene of Chapin. Rich Beem, who is Greene's favorite player, hit Greene in the forehead with a drive, knocking Greene down and sending him to the hospital for seven stitches. Greene returned to the course, and Beem signed his driver and gave it to him. Beem later called Greene out of the crowd to attempt a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th green, which he made on the third try.
The purpose of the event, other than a good time, is to benefit junior golf and education in South Carolina, and Graham is hoping to break the tournament record raised in one year. Amateurs pay $5,000 each to play in the event. Ticket sales and Monday night's concert also raise money, and a live auction on Sunday night at the House of Blues raised more than $200,000. There was also a silent auction with 150 items that was expected to raise a significant amount more. Total proceeds for the event, including donations, won't be known for a few weeks. ''This tournament makes its money mainly off the sponsors and the auction, and in terms of the auction last night, it was huge,'' Sonefeld said. ''I'm amazed at how people continue to find money to give, even when there's a little economic downslide.''
2003 Tournament Recap
Hootie Tourney Flourishes in Myrtle Beach
If the first year is any indication, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am is going to have a fruitful stay on the Grand Strand.
Though figures haven't been tabulated, an estimated 5,000 spectators filled Barefoot Resort's Dye Course on Monday. The tournament has a waiting list for amateur teams and it appears on pace to approach or break its record for charity donations.
The crowd for the ninth annual event, which moved to Myrtle Beach after two years at Kiawah Island, was estimated by PGA Tour member Brett Quigley, who has participated in all but the first Hootie pro-am, to be among the two or three largest in tournament history. Attendance peaked at 13,000 in Columbia, at the height of the band's popularity, and an estimated 4,000 attended last year. Perfect weather helped late ticket sales. ''There was a great turnout today,'' Quigley said. ''I'm impressed with the people who turned out and all the companies and people supporting it.'' Tournament Director Paul Graham considers 30 teams ideal, and last year only 27 teams participated. This year, Graham admitted 33 teams, with a waiting list. ''I think Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and the people of Myrtle Beach have done an excellent job promoting this event,'' Graham said.
Monday was a good day for Tom Watson. His group, which included Hootie lead singer Darius Rucker and Marino, won the scramble tournament with a 16-under-par 56, and he was informed by Rucker that the band is donating $10,000 to his caddie, Bruce Edwards. Edwards has been Watson's caddie for the better part of 30 years has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. ''Tom spends his time to come out for our charities, and we'd just like to repay the favors,'' Hootie drummer Jim Sonefeld said.
Though it didn't start out that way, it also turned into a pretty nice afternoon for Steve Greene of Chapin. Rich Beem, who is Greene's favorite player, hit Greene in the forehead with a drive, knocking Greene down and sending him to the hospital for seven stitches. Greene returned to the course, and Beem signed his driver and gave it to him. Beem later called Greene out of the crowd to attempt a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th green, which he made on the third try.
The purpose of the event, other than a good time, is to benefit junior golf and education in South Carolina, and Graham is hoping to break the tournament record raised in one year. Amateurs pay $5,000 each to play in the event. Ticket sales and Monday night's concert also raise money, and a live auction on Sunday night at the House of Blues raised more than $200,000. There was also a silent auction with 150 items that was expected to raise a significant amount more. Total proceeds for the event, including donations, won't be known for a few weeks. ''This tournament makes its money mainly off the sponsors and the auction, and in terms of the auction last night, it was huge,'' Sonefeld said. ''I'm amazed at how people continue to find money to give, even when there's a little economic downslide.''