For the double-digit handicapper who longs to experience tournament golf like a touring professional, this idea is for you. The same applies to elite amateurs who wonder if they can handle the final-hole pressure felt by frontrunners at PGA Tour events.
The inaugural Trinity River Golf Tour, which begins April 10, offers an opportunity for local golfers to get a taste of tour life without leaving Tarrant County.
A collaborative effort between the cities of Fort Worth and Arlington, the amateur circuit will feature more than 30 tournaments at municipal courses in both cities between April and October. Top players will earn enough points to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship, Oct. 9-10. There will be flighted competition within five different divisions (juniors, seniors, men’s, women’s and team), with at least six events per division.
All events will be played on municipal courses in Fort Worth (Pecan Valley, Rockwood, Meadowbrook, Z. Boaz) and Arlington (Tierra Verde, Lake Arlington, Ditto). Competitors must pay a one-time membership fee ($30), as well as an entry fee for each event.
The tour evolved from a suggestion by Phyllis Jordan, head golf professional at Lake Arlington Golf Course. Jordan said she wanted “to put some fun back into golf for people who want to play competitively” but have limited opportunities outside of club championships or charity events. Along the way, officials in both cities hope to boost the number of rounds played at their municipal courses.
Nancy Bunton, Fort Worth’s director of golf, said she hopes to land at least 20 teams for the inaugural event, April 10 at Rockwood Golf Course. Eventually, tour officials envision capping each event at 80 to 100 participants. For more information, call 817-572-1300 (Arlington) or 817-457-4616 (Fort Worth). Bunton said the tour website, www.trinityrivergolftour.com, will be operational by late March and online entries will be accepted at that time.
_ Jimmy Burch
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