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Cox Classic Tips
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July 27, 2010, at 07:00 AM
Champions Run hole 9.
Courtesy of Champions Run.
Champions Run Assistant Golf Professional gives advice for golf tournament onlookers.
Last year, Cox Classic had a record-breaking attendance of 103,000. This year, the national professional golf tournament stop played at Champions Run in Omaha since 1996 will not be televised, a point that has organizers looking at the potential for even bigger crowds.
Champions Run Assistant Golf Professional Dennis Sigafoose said he hears from many professional golfers, locally and nationally, that Omaha is one of the more popular stops on the nationwide tour.
“Its absolutely a good event to have in Omaha,” said Sigafoose, “We have a great golfing population here and its neat for the community to have the opportunity to get together and see these professionals play every year.”
Presented by Lexus of Omaha Jul. 29 through Aug. 1, locals and visitors come to see the “best golfers in the world” during the PGA Tour, but also to check out the more than 200 local charities and businesses that have informational stands and hospitality tents, including Boy Scouts Mid-America Council, Girl Scouts, Omaha Jaycees, Nebraska Children's Home and Omaha Hearing School.
Many, according to Sigafoose, like to watch from around the par-3 ninth hole to see how close the pros can get to the cup. The 18th hole is also popular, especially during tight matches. Others like to follow their favorite golfer or pick a group of golfers to follow, even watching them warm-up on the driving range and putting green.
A Golf Academy of America graduate and teacher of golfers from tots to retirees, Sigafoose last year had the opportunity to caddy for Australian golfer Paul Gow.
“He was very nice and it was really a good time,” said Sigafoose, “from a teaching standpoint, it was a great learning experience seeing his process, how he goes about playing.”
Process, according to Sigafoose, is the key to a good game. From a learning standpoint, he advises beginning golfers to pay close attention to the routine of the professional golfers before they hit the ball.
“A lot of how well you hit the shot is determined before you hit it,” explained Sigafoose, “Look at their posture and examine how they get ready for each shot.”
Beyond basic skill development, one of Sigafoose's favorite parts of his job is helping golfers learn to keep cool and collected.
“I just like working with people," he said. That’s the main reason I got into this. This game can be really frustrating, and it’s great when you can help someone and take that frustration away.”
For those who like to stay social during the tournament, the Michelob 19th Hole is a hot spot to hang out, have a drink, play games and maybe even catch a professional for an autograph or a hand-shake. Or, said Sigafoose, you can chat it up with the caddies, a group known for interesting, insightful and often humorous golf stories.
Other tips to make your day at the course a classic? Sigafoose advises that you wear light clothing, bring plenty of sunscreen, and park at the Target parking lot on 132nd and Maple streets where a shuttle runs 7:15 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Tickets for the Cox Classic Presented by Lexus of Omaha, and schedule information can be found at coxclassic.com.
For more information on Champions Run Golf Course, visit Championsomaha.com.
What do you think; do you like having the Cox Classic in Omaha? I would like to hear from any neighbors and write about their point of view. Please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
