Page 62 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2019

SPORTS & OUTDOORS coast golf update
TEE-OFF
wi Tommy
RAPISCAN SYSTEMS CLASSIC BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER story by Tommy Snell photos courtesy of Rapiscan
BOGO, SMOGO. How about Free- Ninety-Nine? Thanks to Coca-Cola, everybody reaps no-ropes access to World Golf Hall of Fame members March 29-31 at Fallen Oak free of charge. Zilch, nada, to get up close and personal with PGA Tour Champions Steve Stricker, John Daly, Darren Clarke, Chris D’Marco, Bernhard Langer. Fun? Does a golf ball have dimples?
The Junior Clinic presented by Chevron and Bacot McCarty will tee off an exciting week March 25 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Gautier’s Shell Landing Golf Club. Local PGA of America professionals and PGA Tour Champions players will entertain, instruct and mesmerize Coast juniors. These guys are good!
On March 26, the inaugural Caliburn Hero Challenge at Keesler Air Force Base’s Bay Breeze Golf Course will demonstrate Rapiscan’s commitment to the military. “We are so excited to show off our golf course,” said Golf Course Manager Luke Rooney. “I believe
it’s the first time the PGA Tour has partnered with a military installation.” Three amateurs will play with a military representative and a PGA Tour Champions player.
The Rapiscan Systems Classic’s pledge to offer an enjoyable atmosphere for patrons and players comes to life during the pro-am events Tuesday
– Thursday and will continue all weekend. This, the 10-year anniversary of the event, will welcome not only the avid golfer but also non-golfers who are looking for diversions designed to entertain all ages.
The Patriot Pavilion on the 9th green and the Birdies for the Brave honorary caddie program on Hole 9 are two more examples of the tournament’s commitment to the military and first responders. Friday before a player strikes the first shot, Sargent First Class Dana Bowman, a double amputee, will parachute with special effects onto No
1 tee. You will not want to miss this. Tournament Director Stephen
Schoettmer promises more, “We want to make this product better each day.” Over 800 golf course Candy Stripers dressed in polos help him do just
that. “We’re so appreciative of the volunteers and the time they give, as well as Island View Casino Resort for sponsoring them. It’s so cool to see
the community come together,” he added. “The Bradley Clan will be back Wednesday and Thursday on No 6, and that’s one of the coolest parts of the tournament.”
How do you spell FUN? Rapiscan Systems Classic. You don’t have to play golf to par-take in this par-tee!
STEVE STRICKLER, 2018 winner
62 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2019
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