The Regions Tradition, one of the most anticipated events at Greystone Country Club, is just around the corner!
In a recent episode of Greystone Unscripted, we learned about what makes this PGA TOUR Champions major so big each year. General Manager Dave Porter sat down with Steve Smith (Director of Golf), Jason Miller (Director of Golf Maintenance), and George Shaw (Tournament Director for the Regions Tradition) to talk about behind the scenes of preparation and exciting new things coming to this year's tournament.
What began as the Bruno's Memorial Classic has transformed into one of the most prestigious events on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Steve Smith explains, "The big thing is the tradition. And how it's a major championship now."
This elevation to major status means welcoming the best senior golfers in the world, with many who have claimed major championships during their careers on the PGA TOUR. Smith notes the dramatically increased fanfare around the event, with spectators now gathering throughout the course rather than just at the 18th green.
The tournament experience has evolved as well. The driving range has become a full entertainment venue with Coca-Cola sponsorship, and the caddie experience has intensified, with many caddies coming directly from the PGA TOUR with professional expectations.
Have you ever wondered how the course looks so immaculate during tournament week? Jason Miller says it comes down to resources. The maintenance team more than doubles in size during the tournament.
"We typically have 45 to 50 volunteers," Miller explains, including "fellow superintendents, assistant superintendents, some of our vendors, students... and also several former employees that come back to help.".
Equipment vendors provide additional mowers and people movers, while the team runs split shifts all week–starting early morning, taking a break during play, and returning in the afternoon. The dedication pays off, with players praising the greens as "perfect.”
While members see pristine fairways on tournament day, they might not realize the small city being constructed in the weeks leading up to the event. George Shaw revealed that planning for the next year's tournament begins just weeks after the current one ends, with year-round fundraising efforts that form the financial backbone of the event.
Construction begins approximately four weeks before the tournament, with specialized companies building scaffolding and tents. "We have about 110 different contractors or vendors," Shaw notes, handling everything from portable restrooms to signage (a staggering 1,700 new signs this year due to a logo update), golf carts, generators, HVAC units, furniture, and landscaping.
For 2025, tournament-goers can look forward to exciting new additions, including the expansive Coca-Cola Pavilion in the Spectator Village. This 6,000-square-foot tent will feature a swing simulator with prizes, a jumbo LED board showing the PGA Championship, a stage for concerts, merchandise areas, cocktail bars, and comfortable seating. Shaw emphasizes they're adding more buses for transportation, more cocktail and food options, and more entertainment alternatives for every type of attendee.
The tournament continues to draw top talent, with Stewart Cink, Ernie Els, and defending champion Doug Barron all committed to play. Angel Cabrera, fresh off a win and coming from the Masters, will be a new addition to the field this year. The celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday remains a massive draw, with Nick Saban, Bo Jackson, and Charles Barkley expected to return, along with newcomer Jamey Johnson and country star Riley Green.
As Shaw points out, the celebrity component has been crucial to the event's growth: "The celebrity portion of the program is really what helped the event become so big... it was almost like an endorsement of the event when you have those celebrities."
The Regions Tradition tournament makes a remarkable charitable impact on the community each year. Since the tournament's inception in 1992, it has raised more than $24 million for local charities, with Children's of Alabama serving as the primary beneficiary.
This partnership between Regions Bank, the PGA TOUR Champions, and Eventive Sports (formerly the Bruno Event Team) provides crucial support for Children's of Alabama, a pediatric hospital specializing in the care of ill and injured children.
The funds raised through the tournament support Children's of Alabama's Impact Fund, which provides for leading-edge programs, equipment, and initiatives that distinguish the hospital nationally. This support helps maintain Children's status as one of the ten busiest pediatric hospitals in the nation and one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States.
When you attend the Regions Tradition, you're not just witnessing elite golf–you're contributing to a cause that makes a profound difference in the lives of countless children and families throughout Alabama and more.
As Tournament Director George Shaw puts it, "It's a really, really good community event and... a lot of people embrace it." This spirit is what makes the Regions Tradition what it is today.
Don't miss this year's Regions Tradition at Greystone Country Club, featuring world-class golf, entertainment, and community spirit. Or, learn more about the Greystone Member experience during this iconic event.