10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Watson: Emotional flood aftermath made W.Va. feel like home

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Signaling an emotional recovery from last year’s lethal flooding, PGA golfer Bubba Watson called the Greenbrier Classic a celebration of those who helped rebuild.

“The tournament should be about how great West Virginia is and the people of White Sulphur Springs, how great they come together,” he said Tuesday.

“What an honor to know y’all and see y’all live through it and get better and better each day.”

The June 2016 flood claimed 23 lives, including 15 Greenbrier County residents — several of whom were recovered by first responders on the property.

Watson’s wife Angie choked back tears, recalling inspiration gained from flood victims during the catastrophic aftermath.

“I offered my time expecting to help, but what the people did for me was more astounding than what I could have done for them,” she said.

“I experienced the true definition of Biblical hospitality and love. To watch these people love us and receive us when they had lost everything — that’s the definition of neighbors loving neighbors.”

Sporting mud boots during last summer’s cleanup, she drove the now-famous Oakley camouflage truck around the county, delivering water and lime to residents. At many spots, owners of ransacked houses offered her coffee and lunch

“They lost everything, but at the same time they’re still giving,” Bubba Watson said.

The Watsons purchased land at the Greenbrier Resort after the 2012 Classic and built a home there within the ensuing year, striking up a friendship with now-Gov. Jim Justice. Watson, a two-time Masters winner, has participated in each Greenbrier event since and emerged as the tournament’s most recognizable ambassador.

“This is a community that we call home,” Watson said. “I’m not from here but we fell in love with the place. We love it here and our kids love it here.

“When we saw this (flooding), we felt the impact. We sat in Jim’s office with some high-up people, and we didn’t know what we were doing there but, I said ‘How can we help? What can we do?’”

After the cancellation of the 2016 Classic, crews have restored the Old White Course in time for this week’s tournament, which begins Thursday.

“It took a travesty and devastation for me to learn, but it was unbelievable to say this is my home,” Watson said. “It’s an honor to be here one year later and see the transformation.”