The final spots are being filled for the inaugural PGA Greenbrier Classic
Four positions will come from today's qualifier at the par-72 Cobb Course at Glade Springs in Daniels, and the other two were determined this weekend by tournament officials.
Two of the final entrants into the 156-player field are former collegiate golfers, Drew Weaver of Virginia Tech and Erik Compton of Georgia. They were both awarded sponsor's exemptions, according to tournament director Tim McNeely.
Compton's story is certainly an interesting one. A survivor of two heart transplants, the 30-year-old recently earned a lot of attention for competing in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Calif., in June.
He had his first heart transplant at age 12, and is a little more than two years removed from his second. Both were brought on by viral cardiomyopathy, which inflames the heart and leaves it unable to function.
Compton earned his U.S. Open berth through sectional qualifying in Columbus, Ohio. He was recently the subject of a segment on HBO's "Real Sports.''
Several players with state ties are competing in today's Greenbrier Classic qualifier at Glade Springs, but two stand out.
David Bradshaw of Bakerton and Brad Westfall of Grafton, both five-time winners of the West Virginia Open, are in the field. They are the only two state golfers to finish in the top 12 of last week's prequalifier at the Cobb Course, which is expected to play today at around 7,100 yards.
McNeely said Sunday night that everything appears on course for the Greenbrier Classic, which unofficially starts today with a pro-am and practice rounds. Gates open at 8 a.m.
"We're ready to go,'' McNeely said. "It's all pretty status quo, to be honest.''
Some golfers were scheduled to arrive Sunday night after finishing play in the Canadian Open earlier in the day.
"We've got 120 people or so coming in [Sunday night] on a charter flight from Canada,'' McNeeley said. "That's players, families and caddies. Then we've got charter flights [today].''
The first round of the 72-hole Greenbrier Classic starts Thursday.
McNeely will also be keeping a watchful eye on weather reports. He said right now forecasts are calling for a 30 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms almost every day this week.
"But that's typically the forecast every day for this time of year,'' McNeely said.
Reach Rick Ryan at 304-348-5175 or rickr...@wvgazette.com.
