ALLENTOWN, Pa. – This week, the PGA Champions Tour stops at the Lehigh Country Club. The elite roster includes 78 players with 238 Tour victories between them.
The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic begins Friday, and on Thursday it was time for the amateurs to team up with the pros.
After 18 months of preparation, it’s time to celebrate. The course is alive as the crowds arrive at the Lehigh Country Club.
The golf started before 8 a.m. Thursday morning with the Pro-Am, featuring World Golf Hall of Famers Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, and Colin Montgomery.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played a pro-am before. Certainly nothing like this,” said Brian Nester, CEO of Jefferson Health.
Rich D’Avanzo of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, was paired with Scot Parel.
“I’ve been on the spectator side; I’ve never been between the ropes, and being between the ropes is just a great event,” D’Avanzo said.
More than 30,000 people are expected to flood Lehigh Country Club through Sunday, and many of them are getting their first look at the legends in person.
“These are guys I grew up with. You know, it’s fun to see those guys,” said Jim Knerr from Emmaus.
“The guys on the big tour, I don’t really know a lot of them anymore, but these guys I know because they are guys that I grew up with and know and watched,” Knerr added.
People young and old making memories on the golf course.
Rubbing shoulders with the pros has its benefits, but for many, conversation is as important as competition.
“It was great to be out, weather was wonderful. A lot of excitement. People are charged up, enthusiastic, and it’s a wonderful philanthropic event,” said Nester.
The charities benefiting this week are the Eagles Autism Foundation, Sodexo Stop Hunger, and Valley Youth House.