by Glennon E. Bazzle, “The King of Swing”
Mr. Keith “Fig” Newton, one of the more prominent African Americans in Professional Golf, will be here at the 2014 Regions Tradition golf tournament, May 14-18. And he won’t be swinging a golf club nor carrying a golf bag. Why not? Because he is the Director of Tournament Operations for the Champions Tour. Every year since 2005 “Fig”, as he is better known, has overseen 26 of the 29 Champions Tour events. That encompasses scoring the tournament, training volunteers, supplying equipment, processing and transferring all players’ scores and statistics to media and all affiliated media outlets, as well as working on sponsor related promotions. WOW, quite a job!! And you think you’re an expert follower of golf news, huh? Bet you didn’t know that “little known” fact.
Now, how did he get there? It all started in New Orleans where he graduated from St. Augustine High School, an all-Black school ranked as one of the top high schools in the Nation. He earned a degree in journalism from LSU in 1982, then interned in the Sports Department at WDSU-TV, the NBC affiliate in New Orleans. From 1983-1986 he was Sports Director of WYLD-FM/AM radio, producing and delivering daily sportscasts covering all levels of local sports.
His impressive story continued to develop. In the summer of 1986, Keith served as General Manager of the Savannah Cardinals, the Single-A affiliate of the Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, handling day to day home game operations in addition to serving as public address announcer. From 1988 to 1990 he was Assistant Director of Public Relations for the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts.
Well, where is golf in this story? In 1991, he joined the PGA Tour/Champions Tour as a member of the Operations Staff. He was promoted to Manager in 1995 and to Director of Tournament Operations in 2005. So, this weekend go to the Regions Traditions at Shoal Creek, say hello to “Fig”, and tell him “The King of Swing” sent you. Where can you find him? Of course, on the first tee starting the pros.
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Correction: In last week’s article, “Affordable Golf Package”, contact number is 205-322-4054.
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Glennon E. Bazzle, the golf columnist, is author of Anatomy of the Perfect Golf Swing, founder and CEO of Global Golf Institute, member of United States Golf Teachers Federation for 20 years, and Master therapist specializing in sports massage since 1961. Contact: 205-322-4054 or 504-583-6842. Email: golfswing_2000@yahoo.com.
