Former greats return for Longhorns Golf Pro-Am
AUSTIN, Texas -- Former University of Texas men's and women's golf greats gathered with Longhorn supporters on a gorgeous Monday afternoon, as The University of Texas men's and women's golf programs hosted the Longhorns Golf Pro-Am at The University of Texas Golf Club in Austin. Former Texas men's golf greats such as Tom Kite and Justin Leonard and Texas women's golf legends like Cindy Figg-Currier and Charlotta Sorenstam teed off in an event to benefit the UT Golf Academy. The Longhorns golf legends took part in a clinic beginning at 10 a.m. before joining Texas supporters in a round of golf at the UT Golf Club at 11 a.m. An auction benefiting the UT Golf Academy followed at 5 p.m. Although burnt orange proved to be the dominant color at the course on Monday, not all of the professional golfers coming back to Austin played collegiately as Longhorns. "I showed up in a red shirt, but (UT Men's Golf) Coach (John) Fields said, "No, that's not going to work today!" said Rich Beem, the winner of The PGA Championship in 2002. A New Mexico State alumnus, Beem happily obliged to don the burnt orange. "I think I had one other colored shirt, but Coach Fields got me the right one today," Beem said. "He has been friends with my family for a number of years, so when he asked me to come out today, I said, `Not a problem!'" Beem left the course impressed with the facilities in place at UT, which includes a state-of-the-art golf academy. "The facility they have at the back of the range is absolutely phenomenal," Beem said. "I've never seen anything like it! I'm sure there might be a couple of them around the country, but I will tell you, this is something that UT Golf ought to be proud of." For former Longhorns like Leonard, the Longhorns Golf Pro-Am served not only as a chance to return to Austin but also as an opportunity to give back to the program that prepared him for the PGA Tour. "It's nice to be back in Austin," Leonard said. "I get the chance to be here and play the UT Golf Club and raise some money for the golf program, so it's a nice opportunity."
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