Delta Dental State Open begins Thursday

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10 SPORTS) -Ballyhack Golf Club will be all the buzz this weekend as it sets to host the Delta Dental State Open for the third consecutive year.

Kids from the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and The First Tee came together for a youth clinic Wednesday morning. They learned various golf techniques like putting and teeing off from some of the best our area has on the course, in Roanoke native Fielding Brewbaker, Jay Woodson and defending state open champion Lanto Griffin.

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"That's the future of golf so anytime you get kids that might not otherwise play golf get excited about you know watching us hit it far or hitting and breaking glass, just the fun things", said Griffin.

Also on hand Wednesday was Ross Funderburke and Callie Montgomery. The two were selected to represent The First Tee of Roanoke Valley in Pebble Beach at the Nature Valley First Tee Open in September.

"It's a huge opportunity and if you ask any golfer their goal is to be at Pebble Beach and at this age I'm already going to the beach so that's amazing", said Montgomery.

"Extremely long application process with five essays but it's all worth it because I get to go to such a fantastic course and play with some fantastic golfers", said Funderburke.

Delta Dental presented The First Tee with a $17,000 check in support of the junior golf academy. It was also announced that during this weekends state open, some pro golfers have decided to make donations toward the people of West Virginia. For every birdie that is hit $10 will go towards flood relief efforts. Delta Dental plans to match those donations.

The tournament is set to tee off on Thursday and wrap up on Saturday.


About the Author:

Eric is no stranger to the Roanoke Valley. He is a Roanoke native and proud graduate of William Fleming High School.