Fans enjoy their time at golf tournament

Grace Denegri, 10, from Memphis, gets an autograph from golfer Stacy Lewis Friday during the LPGA Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.
Grace Denegri, 10, from Memphis, gets an autograph from golfer Stacy Lewis Friday during the LPGA Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

ROGERS -- Golfing always has been a big part of Tom and Deb Seibert's marriage.

The Hot Springs couple drove to Rogers on Friday morning to watch the Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship. They've attended three of the tournament's 10 years and they plan on volunteering next year. The tournament continues through Sunday at Pinnacle Country Club.

Web Watch

For more information on the Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship, visit www.nwachampionship…

"We have always loved golf," Tom Seibert said.

Deb Seibert said some of their dates have been spent golfing.

The couple has been married 39 years and spent their honeymoon at The Masters played at the Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club. Tom Watson won that year, Tom Seibert remembers.

"Golfing has always been part of our family," Deb Seibert said. "Our sons played in school."

The television at home stays on ESPN or the Golf Channel, said Tom Seibert, who says he likes to watch the LPGA players perform.

"I love watching their swing," Seibert said. "It's just amazing. It looks effortless and they don't look like they are swinging very hard."

Gary Vernon Sr. of Joplin, Mo., was in town Friday to watch an LPGA event for the first time. Vernon was impressed by the play and the golf course.

"It's a close second to Augusta," Vernon said of the course.

Eric Ward, also of Joplin, was attending the Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship for the fifth time.

"The women are solid strikers. They don't try to kill the ball," Ward said.

Margaret Jurgensmeyer lives on the course and looks forward to the event. Her brother and sister-in-law come to town each year so it's an opportunity to watch golf and visit with family.

Jurgensmeyer said they enjoy following Stacy Lewis and other former Razorback golfers. Lewis, a 2008 graduate of the University Arkansas, joined four other current or former Razorbacks in this year's tournament.

"We are all golfers and the ladies are just awesome to watch," Jurgensmeyer said.

Lesa Reiff, who lives in nearby Shadow Valley, said her family housed Julia Boland, the caddie for Amy Anderson.

Reiff came out Friday to cheer on Anderson. Reiff said her family previously housed golfers during the tournament.

"I'm just amazed how good they all are," Reiff said. "It's amazing to watch them play."

James Bowers and Dawn Bowers of Bentonville brought their two children, Tate, 13, and Macy, 8, to the tournament Friday.

James Bowers said he likes to follow Lewis and other golfers who have local connections.

"We came out to just enjoy the experience," he said.

NW News on 06/25/2016

Upcoming Events