Fans, celebrities excited for return of BMW Charity Pro-Am to Thornblade
GREER, S.C. (WSPA) – Celebrating 25 years, this year's BMW Charity Pro-Am brings together celebrities, professional golfers and the Upstate community for a good cause and a fun weekend.
Thousands of people were out at the Thornblade Club in Greenville County having a great time Friday afternoon. Many said they look forward to this tournament weekend year after year.
'It's just a great tradition for the neighborhood,' said Dale Hunt, a Thornblade resident. 'The club gets behind it and everybody likes it. It's just fun. It's a great little celebration.'
'It's just an immaculate golf course, we love just being in the atmosphere of what this is and I love that it's literally in our backyard, so we don't have to travel very far,' said neighbor Steven DeLisle.
One familiar face some may recognize out on the course is Furman University alumnus and former USA soccer player Clint Dempsey, who said he is always thrilled to come back to Greenville.
'I went to college at Furman University,' said Dempsey. 'It's where it gave me a chance to take my game to the next level for soccer and kind of become my own man, getting away from Texas and being on my own. So, anytime I can come here it always feels like a second home.'
Dempsey said while he hasn't lost his competitive spirit, he and his partner are just out to have a good time and raise money for local charities.
'Anytime you can have a win-win situation where you're doing good, can be outside enjoying a different sport, and it challenges you to be a better person, ' he said. 'It kind of keeps that competitiveness going in your life once you've retired from another sport. It's always fun and like I said, to give back and help those in need, there's no better feeling than that'
Tournament organizers said over the past 25 years, more than $16 million has been donated to local charities, including Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, PAL, Gibbs Center Center, Folds of Honor Palmetto State, Hispanic Alliance, Hope Center for Children, Neighborhood Cancer Connection, and Upstate Warrior Solution.
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