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Home - Sports
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Enjoy The Greens
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Cox Classic celebrates 15 years in Omaha
by Brian S. Allen
Dabbling in golf has always been a part of my life. As long as it is cheap and accessible, I’m in. As a kid it started with hand-me-down clubs and par three courses, and during the holidays I was fortunate to hit the greens with my grandfather at private country clubs in Iowa and Florida. In my late teens I inherited another set of hand-me-downs when technology forced the dedicated players (including my grandfather) to upgrade to the next big thing. Think Calloway’s Big Bertha.
Last week, I was able to take my trusty wood drivers with an old, semi-rusty Gary Player signature on them to Champions Run for a golf scramble with the other media types. Thanks to The Reader and Cox Classic it was on the cheap with some delicious Bloody Marys to boot.
This year marks the 15th Annual Cox Classic presented by Lexus of Omaha at Champions Run. If you’re familiar with the tournament you know that it’s not only the premier event on the Nationwide Tour, but also the first big tournament Omaha hosts after the College World Series.
It brings approximately $8.8 million annually to the Greater Omaha area. Since it began in 1996 over $1.7 million has gone to local charities. It couldn’t be what it is without local volunteers and 200 + sponsors.
You are not going to see Phil, Vijay or the man formally known as Eldrick swinging a club in the flesh, but you could quite possibly see the next big thing.
“Basically you are seeing today’s PGA Tour professionals that will be out there tomorrow. Chad (Mardesen) mentions that the difference between a PGA Tour player and the Nationwide Tour player is about .2 strokes a round. So these guys are just barely missing it. We have had people play here that have gone on to win the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open,” said Barry Kriha, PR Director.
Molly Luebe of Champions Run said, “It is just kind of a fun event and everybody is good to each other. It also helps with the Midwestern hospitality because Nebraska is a great place to be. I think they get that vibe when they visit here no matter where they are from.”
And golf’s not the only thing happening in the suburban northwest Omaha neighborhood.
“We are widely known for the 19th Hole which is the biggest party in Omaha and we are proud to host it. Thursday through Sunday we have the Icehouse Party Deck and a wine garden by Constellation Wines this year. There is an old saying that, “I went to a party and a golf tournament broke out” and we really do fit that mold in a lot of ways. There are also a lot of opportunities for kids out here, too. It essentially runs the gamut. We see people from age 4 to 94 walking around the tournament,” said Chad Mardesen tournament director.
As with any sports tournament, there is always someone to keep tabs on.
“I am keeping my eye on Brandon Crick. I think he is ready for a breakthrough and he is just an unbelievable human being,” added Mardesen.
Brandon Crick, originally from McCook and more recently the University Nebraska at Lincoln, should be a local favorite due in part to his state ties.
“This will be my first tournament as a professional. I was really excited when I got the sponsor exemption, and thought it would be a really great way to start my career in Nebraska at the biggest tournament in Nebraska,” said Crick.
Get your walking legs ready because the golf will not be televised this year. Go out and enjoy the sun and camaraderie of the tournament the way it was meant to be before the little black box was invented. Just remember to stay hydrated.
“Drink lots of water and be green. Bring your own re-usable water bottle. They have water on the tee greens,” added Luebe.
With day passes only $10 and discounted ticket books for half that price, it is indeed cheap and accessible. Reason enough for anybody to further dabble in the game they call golf.
Cox Classic’s first round of tournament play begins Thursday, July 29, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 1. Tickets are available at Austad’s, the tournament office and the gate. Visit coxclassic.com for the full schedule of golf, live music, fireworks and more. |
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