POWERGRAMS

36 the game after that exposure." Of course, the real stars are the professional golfers, and the Alabama tournaments are recognized as some of the favorite stops on the tours. "The players love it here," Hallman said. "In addition to being golfers, they are entertainers, and entertainers want to play in front of people. We draw some of the largest crowds on the tours." David Toms, Ricky Barnes and Boo Weekley are among the stars for the Barbasol Championship July 13-17 at the Robert Trent Jones Grand National course in Opelika. The Yokohama LPGA Tire Classic took place at the Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill course in Prattville May 4-8. The top professional women playing the tournament included Lexi Thompson, Sei Young Kim, Lydia Ko and winner Ariya Jutanugarn. Professional golfers Dori Carter, Hannah Collier and Lisa Ferrero conducted the Alabama Power Junior Golf Clinic. The Regions Tradition was at Hoover's Greystone Golf & Country Club May 18-22. The PGA Tour Champions players included well-known names like Fred Couples, Hale Irwin, John Daly, Colin Montgomerie, Rocco Mediate and winner Bernhard Langer. PGA Tour Champions professionals Fred Funk and Mike Goodes conducted the Alabama Power Junior Golf Clinic. Both the Barbasol and the Yokohama tournaments are played on courses that are part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a series of 26 courses at 11 sites throughout the state developed by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. Tour of Champions pros teach students fine points of golf. LPGA pro hits targets. American Idol Taylor Hicks tees off.

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