The Honda Classic officially kicks off in our city on February 23 but on Tuesday the Junior Elite Golf Team from Sandhill Crane Golf Club was given "inside the ropes" access to the tour, learning about the tournament & meeting its players.
On Tuesday, February 21, five members of the Sandhill Crane Golf Club Junior Elite Golf Team received an exclusive look inside the Honda Classic at PGA National. The up-and-coming golfers, Staci Pla (10), Ethan Keen (10), Cameron Meek (14), Abby Garber (15), and Nick Macsuga (16), had the opportunity to meet their golf idols and took home prized autographs, while learning what goes on behind-the-scenes to make the tournament work.
The young golfers learned about everything from security measures taken to keep the tournament safe to the professional golf club repair shop available to the pros. The Honda Classic staff filled them in on the business and broadcast side of the tournament. The troupe also enjoyed one-on-one time with pros such as Ernie Els, Jason Dufner, Boo Weekley, Daniel Berger, Harold Varner III and Padraig Herrington.
During their interaction with the pros, advice ranged from Els’ principles of a solid handshake to Weekley keeping it simple with “stay positive”. 2015 tournament winner Padraig Herrington told them to shoot long.
“At your age, it’s better to hit it a really long way, so it goes in the trees. You know the great thing about hitting it into the trees? You’ll have a great imagination,” Herrington quipped. “Loads of power, loads of imagination, great short game. Don’t worry about hitting it straight. Honestly! Wherever it goes, find it and enjoy the next shot.”
At the end of the day, the children left with new backstage knowledge of the Honda Classic, in addition to visors filled with signatures of their favorite professionals.
A special thank you to Ken Kennerly and the team at The Honda Classic for arranging the behind-the-scenes look at the tournament!