A successful tournament

On behalf of the Future Masters family, we would like to thank Dothan for displaying true Southern hospitality to our 500 participates and their families in the 60th Annual Press Thornton Future Masters Junior Golf Tournament.

Each year, we hear comments from the families of how the hotels, restaurants and other businesses are so kind in welcoming them to Dothan. It is because of this kindness that contestants return year after year with their families and make the Future Masters one of their favorite stops on their busy summer schedule.

The contestants travel from all over the world to a town in Alabama that many have never heard of to compete for this coveted title. With 60 years of history, the Future Masters continues to see young golfers inspired by those on the PGA Tour who have played here and are now out winning “majors,” like Lucas Glover, 2009 U.S. Open Champion, and players like Brian Gay, who played here but never won.

To our local media, you play an instrumental role in promoting our tournament and we thank you.

Dothan Eagle sportswriters Jon Johnson, Ken Rogers and Lance Griffin get what this tournament is all about and their portrayal of the true essence and heart of the Future Masters is something we all should be proud to read. Photographers Jay Hare and Danny Tindell are to be commended as well for the professional nature in which they capture the ever-changing emotions of the tournament.

WTVY’s Brad Sherwood and Chris Harris and WDHN’s Kim Allen so diligently work to be on top of each story as it develops and broadcast it in the upmost professional manner.

And they all had to endure sweltering heat for a week.

We just want to express our gratitude to these as well as the nearly 150 volunteers who took time from their work schedules to give a little bit back to “The Game.”

As we like to reiterate to our young competitors, Future Masters is not now nor has it ever been only about golf; it is about the spirit of competition, friendships made, sportsmanship on the course and the challenge of persevering.

The history continues and another chapter has been written. “Growing golf for 60 years, Mr. Thornton’s dream is realized. If he only knew what he started!

Angelia Wade Turner
Tournament coordinator
The Press Thornton Future Masters
Dothan