WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Taylor Hicks Helps Tee Off Navistar LPGA Classic In Prattville

Taylor Hicks Helps Tee Off Navistar LPGA Classic In Prattville

The lady pros playing in Prattville's Navistar LPGA Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail put the final touches on their games on Wednesday, just before the official start of the tournament on Thursday. They did so, while playing in a pro-am with everyday people, who paid 35-hundred dollars for the privilege.

Make no mistake about it, when amateurs put their game on display for one of these players, they're feeling the heat. But on Wednesday, WSFA 12 News turned the tables on the pros, when they actually got a little nervous on the first tee. With everyone watching, the first tee is the toughest, and even tougher when your partner is world number one Lorena Ochoa. Drew Linn says, "It's unbelievable. You hit a pretty good drive. Uh, fair. I'm just glad I hit it."

Lorena Ochoa is the number one ranked player in the world. She says, "It's not about me, and they don't like to be around the crowds and the first tee is a little hard, but it's all about having a good time." They try to say it's just for fun, but nobody wants to duff one into the tall grass, not even a guy who performed for 40 million people on tv. American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks says, "I'm just trying to keep up with them. These girls are amazing athletes."

LPGA regular Angela Stanford has won a tournament and represented the United States in the 2003 Solheim Cup. But ask if her she's a little nervous around Mr. American idol? She says, "I respect what he does and I think it's awesome, you know, it's something different than I do, so I think it's on both sides, I think everybody's a little nervous."

As far as Hicks goes, he had fans following him all over the course, many waiting for photos and autographs. He said he didn't feel any pressure and then it came rushing at him from nowhere. Ginger Burton is a Taylor Hicks fan. She says, "I'm just here to see if you can really play golf. I know you can sing - we checked that out last night." Hicks said, "Well, you're gonna have to give me about 18 holes to figure that out!"

The participants paid 35 hundred dollars to play in the pro-am, and that money goes to help LPGA players with medical bills when they're injured. Some of the proceeds go to local charities.

The tournament tees off Thursday. Tickets are still available.

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