If, in fact, the third time is the charm, spectators at this year’s version of The Greenbrier Classic will be treated to one terrific event.
The field of 156 golfers begin arriving for practice rounds and a pro-am today for the PGA TOUR event.
Gates open at 8 a.m.
“It’s going to be really special,” said Jim Justice, chairman and CEO of The Greenbrier. “It certainly does have the potential to be the best one yet. We’re sold out this year ... we’re ready.”
The field is impressive.
Tiger Woods is making his first trip to White Sulphur Springs.
Phil Mickelson and Tom Watson return this season, but both failed to make the cut in their first Greenbrier Classic attempts in 2011.
U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson is making his third Classic appearance.
Other notable commitments include Johnson Wagner, Dustin Johnson, Ben Curtis, John Huh, Steve Stricker, Camilo Villegas, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, K.J. Choi, Jim Furyk and Carl Petersson.
“The field is just unbelievable,” Justice said. “It seemed like they (commitments) just kept coming and coming. I don’t know how much better it can get.”
Tuesday will feature more practice rounds, with gates opening at 8 a.m., and an afternoon youth clinic at 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, gates open at 7 a.m. with a pro-am morning flight and an afternoon pro-am flight teeing off at 12:30 p.m.
That evening, The Greenbrier Classic will celebrate the Fourth of July with its first show of the Greenbrier Classic Concert Series. Winners of The Greenbrier’s Got Country Class competition, The August, take the stage at the amphitheater near the fairgrounds in Fairlea at 7:30 p.m.
Headliner Toby Keith with special guest Lionel Richie are scheduled to perform at 9 p.m.
Fireworks will follow.
West Virginia and The Greenbrier’s Old White TPC will be on display for a national and international television audience Thursday and Friday with the first two rounds of the FedExCup tournament on The Golf Channel with Saturday and Sunday third- and fourth-round action broadcast on CBS.
Gates open at 7 a.m. for the first two rounds and 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Greenbrier Classic Concert Series returns Friday with Rod Stewart and special guests The Fray beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Bon Jovi is the concert attraction Saturday night, rocking the stage at 8 p.m.
Stuart Appleby won the inaugural Greenbrier Classic while Scott Stallings claimed the 2012 event. Both are back in attempts to once again raise the glass-and-crystal Springhouse trophy Sunday at approximately 6 p.m.
Appleby won with a bogey-free 11-under 59 in the final round, defeating Jeff Overton by one stroke. It was only the fifth sub-60 round shot in PGA TOUR history.
Stallings, a PGA TOUR rookie in 2011, claimed his first career tournament in the event last season. He held off Bob Estes and Bill Haas in a playoff to seal the win.
Both Appleby and Stallings are searching for their first Top 10 finishes in 2012. Each has two Top 25s, however.
Overton, Haas and Estes also return to The Old White TPC this week.
The course is a par-70 (34-36), and 7,274 yards long.
The total purse of The Greenbrier Classic is $6.1 million, with the winner cashing a check for $1,098,000.
It’s also an opportunity to move up in the FedExCup standings, with the champion picking up 500 points.
— E-mail: jworkman@
register-herald.co
Today's Sports Front
Related Photos
-
-
Fans take in the first round of the Greenbrier Classic July 28, 2011, on the Old White Course TPC at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. A week-long list of events gets started today, including pro-ams and a youth clinic, followed by the tournament itself. The four-day tournament begins Thursday, with 156 golfers entered. Register-Herald file photo
Spectators in for a treat
Impressive field, plenty of festivities await Greenbrier Classic fans
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
Woodrow Wilson headed to states
Hunter Greco will walk into the halls of Woodrow Wilson High School this morning for the final time. He’ll walk past his locker and the classroom of his favorite teacher.
-
Rain halts AA final in 5th
It took nearly a week for PikeView and Independence to finally claim their sectional championships, largely because of persistent rain.
-
Mavericks fall in AA title game
The James Monroe High School softball team scratched its way up to the championship game of Class AA softball this week.
-
Months of waiting ends: Weeks signs with Marshall
Adam Weeks probably could have helped usher in a historic first season for the Mountain East Conference at any member school he wanted. Instead, he waited — and waited — for the offer he really wanted.
-
A dream start, nightmare end
Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that. -
One step away from Charleston
A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.
-
Tanner is Summers County coach
After weeks of controversy, it appears Summers County High School officially has a new football coach.
-
WVU baseball changes up pitching lineup for Big 12 Championship
Randy Mazey’s attention has been on everything but baseball in recent days, as the West Virginia University coach has been out in front of his team’s effort to help the tornado victims in Oklahoma, where his team has been this week preparing for the Big 12 Baseball Championships, which begin today at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Okla.
-
Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. - More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
