Future Masters a success again

To truly understand the significance of the Future Masters, simply look to one of our own.

Just more than a week ago, Dothan’s Tolver Dozier sat in a hospital room with mononucleosis, tonsillitis and dehydration. Tall and slender, the 16-year-old dropped 13 pounds in four days because of it.

Yet he never entertained any thoughts of missing this beloved tournament at the Dothan Country Club.

Why match strokes against some of the best junior golfers in the country when you’re not at 100 percent?

That question doesn’t really need to be asked to those who grow up in our neck of the woods.

The Future Masters is THE tournament in these parts for youngsters trying to make a name for themselves.

It’s their chance for a little attention usually reserved for those toting a football, swinging a bat, making a basket or kicking a ball.

Dozier labored through a first round of 79 on Thursday. He shot one better on Friday.

In this case, the scores shouldn’t really matter. The fact that Dozier made it through is what is most impressive.

I saw him walking through the parking lot following his second round with his head hanging. I’m sure he was totally exhausted.

Earlier that day, I saw him walking to the No. 13 green after knocking his tee shot just a couple of feet from the hole. As he strolled up the fairway, he gave his
mother a lightning-bright smile.

Moments like that are why Dozier and so many more hone their golfing skills all year for this event.

Ricky Moore of Dacula, Ga., got his first taste of it. Wearing an artificial titanium right leg, Moore is tough as nails. He doesn’t intimidate easy.

But do you know what got to Moore when he teed it up here?

He told me it was seeing names on golf bags of players he’s heard about from afar. Simply put, he was a little star struck to begin with.

Charlie Bull hails from Berkshire, England. This year he’s a student at the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida — considered one of the top
golf schools in the world.

He didn’t make the cut here.

Welcome to the Future Masters, Charlie.

A stack of programs from throughout the years were on display in the media room this week. It’s fun to thumb through them and view photos and names of the many who have tried their luck here.

Of course Lucas Glover was in the news this week for winning the U.S. Open. He won here as a 10-under player in 1990. That same year current PGA players
Stewart Cink and Charles Howell were champs in their respective divisions.

On Saturday afternoon, 16-year-old Stewart Jolly of Birmingham was crowned the overall champ after a three-hole playoff with 17-year-old Brett Patterson of
McMinnville, Tenn. Other FM winners this year were Jeffrey Cunningham (10-under), Joshua Martin (11-12) and Robby Shelton (13-14).

It will be fun to follow those names in the coming years.

As the sun sets on the 60th anniversary of the Future Masters, it should be remembered what this tournament Press Thornton Sr. started is all about.

It’s about guys like Tolver Dozier gutting it out. It’s about guys like Ricky Moore getting their shot. It’s about guys like Charlie Bull being introduced to one of
the best junior tournaments this country has to offer. It’s about unknowns becoming household names. It’s about countless volunteer workers.

It’s about tradition — 60 years worth of it.