Director of PGA tournament praises Future Masters

As executive director of the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic, Kenneth Kennerly knows what goes into hosting a golf tournament.

“We put on golf at the highest level,” Kennerly said about the PGA Tour event in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. “It’s not just about golf, it’s also about entertainment.”

Future Masters:

Photos from the tournament

Kennerly has been impressed by what he’s seen at the Press Thornton Future Masters this week. He watched his son Charlie compete in the 11-12 age
division.

He also can’t help but notice the organization of the tournament.

“In addition to putting on the PGA tournament, we also feel it is our responsibility to grow the game of golf,” Kennerly said. “The best way to do that is introduce
it to our kids.

“We’ve started the Junior Honda Classic, which is an official PGA junior event.”

The third annual Junior Honda Classic will be played this December. There are many resources and a wonderful venue — PGA National Resort & Spa — at his
disposal. But Kennerly said something he’ll never have is already here in Dothan.

“What I’m so impressed with here is the tradition,” he said. “I mean, 60 years. This has to be one of the oldest junior tournaments in the country. And to get 450
kids here in Dothan each year is phenomenal.

“It’s an event the community rallies around. It certainly is great for the city. That established tournament tradition is something no other tournament has.”

Kennerly brought the flag from Bethpage Black signed by Brian Gay and congratulating the tournament on its 60th birthday this week.

Even during the week, the tradition was enhanced when former age-group winner Lucas Glover won the U.S. Open.

Glover joined a list of major champions who have played in the Future Masters that includes Shaun Micheel, Ben Curtis, Trevor Immelman, Lee Janzen, David
Duval, Larry Mize, Curtis Strange, Jerry Pate and others.

“That’s just unbelievable,” Kennerly said. “It’s great to be a part of this. We’ve had a great week here.”