June 23 was the first of three days of tournament play for the West Virginia Open Championship (WV Open), sponsored by WVU Medicine and hosted by the West Virginia Golf Association (WVGA), at the Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport, W. Va.
Two amateurs share the lead after the first round of the 88th WV Open. Nick Fleming of Cabins and Mason Williams of Bridgeport are sitting one under par. Amateur Christian Boyd of Charles Town is tied at par with 11-time WV Open champion David Bradshaw of Harpers Ferry. Play today and tomorrow will narrow the field to the final 60 players (plus ties) for Friday’s final round.
Nick Fleming of Cabins, WV, is tied for the lead after Round 1 of the 88th WV Open at Pete Dye Golf Club.
Mason Williams of Bridgeport, WV, is tied for the lead after Round 1 of the 88th WV Open, sponsored by WVU Medicine.
“The golf course played tough today, but it is a very good test for the best amateurs and professionals in West Virginia,” according to WVGA Executive Director Brad Ullman. “Round two will start Thursday morning at 7:40 a.m. from holes one (1) and ten (10).”
Presented by title sponsor WVU Medicine, the field of 132 amateur and professional players was determined by seven qualifying events at courses around the state between June 1 and June 17.
“WVU Medicine is so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 88th WV Open, said WVU Medicine Senior VP of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Doug Coffman. “Pete Dye Golf Club is a good employer and is right in our backyard. Just like WVU Medicine, the WV Open is open to people throughout West Virginia. As a lifelong West Virginian, and a golfer, I just had to advocate for this partnership.”
For those wishing to watch the action in person, the public is welcome each day and there is no charge for admission. To keep track of daily scores, visit wvga.org.
Brad Westfall was the last winner of the WV Open at Pete Dye Golf Club in 2000. The former owner of the Tygart Lake Golf Course, a member of the PGA and the Tri-State PGA, Westfall passed away in 2016 at the age of 52. His wife, Jody Hammond Westfall, has donated his golf bag and trophy to be on display at the first tee throughout the tournament. In addition, a mannequin will be attired in Westfall’s signature all black outfit, from his Titleist hat to his black shoes, as a tribute to his contributions to golf and the WVGA.
“We are honored that the West Virginia Open Championship is back at Pete Dye, a top 100 golf course,” Pete Dye Golf Club co-owner Randy Buzzo said. “We want to raise the bar for this event.”
Transformed from a coal mine in the magnificent Appalachian Mountains, this 7,248 yard par-72 championship course features 18 unforgettable holes with panoramic vistas, coal cars, Pete Dye’s signature land sculpting and even a 200-foot mine shaft walkway. According to Pete Dye, this course features “18 of the most exciting and memorable holes I have ever built on one course.”
In addition to WVU Medicine and Coca Cola, other event sponsors include: Advantage Occupational Medicine, Arsenal Resources, Buckhannon Toyota, Encova Insurance, Gray Griffith & Mays A.C., Joe Funderburk, Law Office of Philip A. Reale PLLC, Little General, Mon Health, Omega Commercial Interiors, Pro V Tree Services, PSIMed, Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Company, Wincore Windows & Doors and Yes Chevrolet.
For more information please visit wvga.org.
