Page 162 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2018

SPORTS & OUTDOORS coast golf update
TEE-OFF
with Tommy
story by Tommy Snell and photo courtesy of Tommy Snell
W elcome to the Golf Page where monthly features will highlight people, places, and, of course, spectacular golf! I hope to tee off with people who make the news with their swings, draw attention to places that illuminate just how wonderful living here can be, and of course promote the world-class golf on the beautiful
Gulf Coast.
I can’t wait to run my highlighter through the font of outstanding people, places and golf
that have made the Mississippi Gulf Coast the perfect destination for vacations and retirement.
2018 GCJT Schedule www.golfcoast.com June 6 ..............Grand Bear June 14 ............Hickory Hill June 26 ........ Windance CC June 28 ..........Shell Landing July 10 ................The Oaks July 19 .............The Bridges July 23 ......... Diamondhead August 18-19 ........Pine Burr
JUNIOR GOLF IS ALIVE AND WELL
June brings carry-bag crusaders and push-cart apprentices to the fairways, and nothing gives parents and golf professionals more pleasure than to watch these young linksters fantasizing about winning a Green Jacket or U.S. Open Trophy. A three- footer fist-pumping a three-footer on the 18th fashions more smiles than an old Tour Balata or Club Special (for my elderly readers).
Tour Director Wyatt Adkison has put together a great schedule, “I’m looking forward to helping with the tour,” said Adkison. As a former High School Majors Player of the Year, Adkison knows the importance of giving back to junior golf.
Golf professionals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast give back. “I
remember playing in junior events on the Coast” said Shell Landing GM Kenny Hughes.“I know how important it was for me to be able to play at Hickory, Sunkist, and St. Andrews.”
That’s the feeling of all the professionals on the Coast.
The new PGA Leagues have filled their shag bags with over 120 junior golfers. Since 2013 Pascagoula Country Club, Hickory, Shell Landing, Sunkist, Great Southern, Bayou Vista, Dogwood Hills, Windance, The Oaks, Pass Christian Isles, Diamondhead and The Bridges have participated in the Gulf Coast Junior Golf League.
Similar to junior interclub matches, some instruction takes place in
an eight-to-ten-week season, but
as PGA Professional Chris Altese admits, “We focus on fun.” Find out more by contacting your local club professional or visiting the Gulf Coast Junior Golf League Facebook Page.
162 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • June 2018
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