The Greenbrier Classic doesn't start until Thursday, but on Monday the gates opened for the first time and some of golf's best players arrived to take their cuts on the Old White.
Last year's champ Scott Stallings practiced along with Tom Watson. But the real story was the condition of the course.
Last Friday's storm that hit the state, took its toll on the Old White Course but you wouldn't know it today.
Crews and volunteers removed 70 downed trees.
Crews put their finishing touches on the course and it looks pristine. Resort owner Jim Justice credits his workers, volunteers and community for this major transformation.
"There are so many people, gosh, they deserve the credit," Justice said. "They came in from everywhere with gas cans, chain saws and just trash bags and gloves and everything else and they sure did the heavy lifting. We called out all the forces we could call out, all the contractors, all the people that had any kind of equipment what so ever to be able to pull it off."
Stallings and Watson couldn't believe how much community support went into bringing the course back up to par.
"It's something else, it's amazing the amount of work that has gone into getting this facility ready for 250,000 people who bought tickets," Watson said.
"If Mr. Justice is involved with any of this it will all be taken care of pretty fast, that's one thing I've learned very quickly," Stallings added.
"His hands are all over this place and making sure this event is very special. The tournament staff and everybody involved have done a great job so far as making it to what it is so the fans and players can have a great week."
Justice had some time to relax and takes a few cuts in the first Pro-Am today.
He teamed with the Boo Weekley and two other amateurs to tackle the Old White.
Tuesday is another busy day at the Greenbrier.
More pros will be arriving late Monday and early Tuesday morning.
We'll hear more Tom Watson and we'll see Tiger Woods takes his first swings on the Old White.
(Photo/John Sabol)
(Photo/John Sabol)
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