Delta Dental State Open returns this weekend

The First Tee held a youth clinic Wednesday

ROANOKE, Va. – The Delta Dental State Open is set to tee off this weekend, but before they hit the greens, they sought to help the next generation with a youth clinic.

Kids from The First Tee, YMCA and Boys and Girls Club came together to learn from a professional. Salem native and former PGA tour golfer Fielding Brewbaker was on hand, along with Grace Huffman. She was one of three selected to represent The First Tee and play at Pebble Beach in September. Both say it's important to give back to the youth, especially those who aren't familiar with the sport.

"It's awesome to see how many kids we have out today. First Tee has given me so many opportunities. It shows, like, kids like what golf is, and some kids are never introduced to it, so this could be the first time that they get to see it," Huffman said.

"Maybe I can show them, like look, you can do this. You know, just because you're from a small town or maybe you don't have the upbringing that some kid from Florida does or you know, somebody from somewhere else does, I mean, you can still do this. Just because you're from where you're from doesn't mean you can't do what you want," said Brewbaker. 

Delta Dental also presented The First Tee with a $20,000 check in support of the junior golf academy's 12th anniversary in the Roanoke Valley. In regards to the tournament, past champions Lanto Griffin and Jay Woodson are both on the Web.com tour and will not be in this year's tournament.

Things will tee off on Thursday at Ballyhack 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.