TYLER, Texas — Golf fans around East Texas have been waiting for this week, and it's finally here -- the 54th annual M&P Group Texas State Open is back in Tyler at the Cascades Country Club.
As always, it's a very deep field this year and that definitely includes some local talent. The first group teed off Tuesday morning. There are East Texas golfers and a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who people can follow at this tourney.
Last year's winner Zach James is not in the field this year. Local golfers include Lufkin's Sam Fidone who is going out with JJ Killeen (known to many online as the West Texas driving range pro), Sam Benson from New Diana, Robert Shields from Tyler, Chapman Herwood from Tyler, Rick Wingfield from Chandler, Blake Elliott from Bullard and Lindale's Taylor Mahan.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst Tony Romo came back to East Texas again for another year playing in this event. On Monday at the Cascades, Romo took the mic for a question and answer session among those in attendance, chatting it up about football, golf, and anything in between...
It's always a nice reaction from Romo every year at the Texas State Open, and now the former Cowboys quarterback is back and ready to tee it up in Tyler.
"It's a real treat to be able to come back here every year. It's first class all the way," Romo said.
For those who may not know, Romo is a very skilled golfer and has some expectations for himself ahead of this event.
"If you'd ask me a month ago, it would've been a little lower because I had been putting my golf since I was young. Now, I think my ball striking is back.. We went to work, practiced really hard. So my expectations are really high at this point going in.."
But he also plans to work on his game. while playing at one of the best courses in the state.
But of course, when Tony Romo is there, people have to get his thoughts about the Dallas Cowboys headed into this season.
"The Cowboys have a great chance this next season. They have a great roster," Romo said. "I think they've got a great coaching staff and they've got great players. It's just going to come down to their mental fortitude."
It's going to be a very fun week of golf here at The Cascades. Play begins Tuesday morning with the final round on Friday and this year's winner taking home one big check.
CBS19 will have all those updates throughout the week.