Championship season heats up at Clear Creek Golf Course
Published 4:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2024
- Johnny Beauchamp hits a shot on the second hole at Clear Creek Golf Course, during the weekly Senior Scramble tournament in early July. (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)
With one of the staple events of Clear Creek Golf Course’s summer season coming up on the calendar, it seems like a good time to showcase Warren County’s public course.
Head pro Ronny Ross, though, sees it a little differently. In his eyes, the Bovina facility is a showcase all the time.
Course improvements and regular events like the weekly Senior Scramble have helped increase play, Ross said, and made it a golfing destination in Central Mississippi.
“I’ve been at some PGA functions lately and all of my PGA buddies are saying, ‘Hey, all that we’re hearing about is Clear Creek and how good y’all are doing. That’s very encouraging when your peers are telling you you’ve got it going on over there,” Ross said.
Ross credited the good times at Clear Creek to the course’s staff, and positive experiences that keep players coming back.
“We’ve got a good crew here. It’s kind of a snowball effect. When your staff enjoys what they do, and the golf course is nice and people are happy, people that are playing here are patting our guys on the back and going, ‘Man, good job.’ People like to feel appreciated,” Ross said. “It’s a combination of that. Our Supervisors and our Park Commission board are on board with what’s going on.”
The upcoming Warren County Open, then, is less a chance to show off the course to outsiders and more an opportunity for regulars to conquer it.
The Warren County Open — formerly the Warren County Championship — is open to everyone, including non-residents of the county. It will be held July 27 and 28, and the entry fee is $130 for passholders and $150 for non-passholders.
The Clear Creek Club Championship was scheduled for this weekend, but Ross announced Wednesday that it has been postponed because of the threat of rain and low participation. He hopes to reschedule it later this year. The course will be open Saturday and Sunday for normal play.
Ross said the biggest change to the Warren County Open is the flight structure. Extra senior divisions were added to make the events more attractive to the older golfers.
The Open will have a Senior division for ages 56-69; Super Senior for ages 70-79; and Grand Senior for ages 80 and up.
“A lot of these older guys wouldn’t stand a chance against some of the younger seniors, so I’m giving them their own divisions,” Ross said.
Golfers who are interested in playing in the tournament — or the Senior Scrambles, or any other event at Clear Creek — can call the clubhouse at 601-638-9395.
Ross said the scrambles are increasing in popularity, especially when he sweetens the pot for participants. July’s first scramble included a picnic afterward that spiked attendance up to maximum capacity.
“Every Wednesday we have at least 40. Today I’m feeding them and we’ve got 62,” Ross said with a laugh.