Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, MI — August 27, 2021
Opening ceremonies for the 2021 Ally Challenge Presented by McLaren kicked off the tournament today at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. Just a few hours later than anticipated, after an early morning rainstorm soaked the course.
Dan Forsman and Larry Mize were scheduled to tee off at just after 10 am Friday morning, but mother nature pushed the starting time back to 3 pm with another display of heavy rain across mid-Michigan as the sun was coming up.
All About Charity
In three years the tournament has awarded over $3 Million dollars to local charities and the total would have been much larger had it not been for the pandemic limitations of the 2020 tournament.
Matt Stepnes, The Ally Challenge Tournament Director, Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer of Ally Financial, and Greg Lane, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for McLaren Health Care delivered brief comments to the crowd assembled around the 1st tee.
Ceremonial first tee shots by Kennedy and Karsen Burks representing the United Way of Genesee County, the tournament’s primary charity beneficiary, drew cheers and applause. The two youngsters were not intimidated by the guests and dignitaries lining the tee box as they stepped up and launched their golf balls towards the wide fairway of the 1st hole.
The Professionals Begin Play
After Forsman and Mize began their rounds, a popular threesome of Ernie Els, Darren Clarke, and defending champion Jim Furyk stepped to the tee. Furyk served notice that he intends to vigorously defend his championship, he carded an eagle 3 on the Par 5 first hole.
The progression of recognizable faces continued as Davis Love III, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh, and Jerry Kelly were greeted as the afternoon progressed through group after group to the delight of fans in attendance.
Look to The Lasco Press as we continue to bring you on-site coverage all week of the Ally Challenge from Warwick Hills.
Additional photos can be viewed on Facebook at the following link.
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