Hundreds of families made their way to En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott Saturday, for round two of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open. Time Warner Cable News reporter Vince Briga explains why visitors young and old return for to see the golfing year after year.
ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- After a record-breaking crowd for Friday night's concert, hundreds of fans are making their way to En-Joie Golf Course for the second day of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open.
Golf fans in the area have had Dick's Sporting Goods Open weekend marked on their calendars for months. It's a chance for them to see some of the best players in the world play in their hometown.
"You see all of these celebrities that you see on television playing golf and you're right here with them. It's kind of cool," said Larry Rivenburg, Norwich resident.
"I enjoy the old-timers. They're my golfers. I've seen them during the B.C. Open when they were young. They were fantastic, and how many hall of famers do we have here," said Ginny Terrell, Chenango Bridge resident.
While the golfers on the Champions tour are a bit older, that doesn't keep aspiring youth players from learning a thing or two.
"I learned that when you're swinging, you want to swing swift but not fast," said Tyler Keville, Conklin resident.
Of course the tournament wouldn't be possible without the more than 1,600 volunteers, like Woody Erbstoeszer. At age 99, he's the oldest volunteer at the open. He said being around excited fans and working with friends keeps him coming back year after year.
"It's fun because you get along with the guys and you see everything that's going on and it's just a lot of fun and at the same time you're contributing something," said Erbstoeszer.
It's not only the volunteers who enjoy the weekend. The players voted the tournament as their favorite place to play on the Champions Tour, two out of the last three years.
"When they come here, they enjoy it, and want to come back, and there has to be a reason for it. We treat them right and they enjoy coming here," said Erbstoeszer.
Visitors said they're happy to see the event grow, and they can't wait to see who shows up on the tour next year. Entry into the course Saturday was free to the public.