WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The owner of The Greenbrier Resort admits he hasn’t been playing much golf lately because of injuries.
“I hit 12 balls the day before yesterday just to see if I could, kind of, halfway get it together,” Jim Justice said on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
He was planning to get in some practice time before teeing off as part of Wednesday’s pro-am at The Greenbrier Classic. Justice played on a team that included Bubba Watson, the two-time Masters champion who now has a home in Greenbrier County, along with “Duck Dynasty” stars Jase Robertson and Justin Martin.
The other amateur players included Marshall football coach Doc Holliday, Marshall basketball coach Dan D’Antoni, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, Hokies basketball coach Buzz Williams, former WVU football coach Don Nehlen, former Marshall football coach Bob Pruett, NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin and comedian George Lopez.
On Thursday, the Old White Course will be left to the professionals, and Justice was advising conservative play.
“This is a course that, many people, it looks like they can attack and, as soon as they try to attack it, bad things start happening to them,” he said.
Slugger White, a Beckley native and PGA Tour vice president for rules and competition, said the course is in good shape.
“The fairways are perfect. We don’t have any issues there. The rough is just exactly what we’re wanting. The greens are in great shape. The whole complex is just outstanding,” White said. “It’s just really, really, really good.”
Last year, Jonas Blixt surprised himself by winning The Greenbrier Classic. “I didn’t really do anything special,” he said on MetroNews “Talkline.” On the back nine, he said he looked at the leaderboard to see himself at the top. “It’s just great to be back.”
MetroNews “Talkline” with Hoppy Kercheval is broadcasting from Slammin’ Sammy’s at The Greenbrier Resort this week for the 2014 Greenbrier Classic.