Maverick McNealy Hopes to Cash First Check at Safeway Open

October 2, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Maverick McNealy will make his pro debut alongside a top drawer pro field that includes Phil Mickelson at the Safeway Open

NAPA, CA (October 2, 2017) - The PGA is coming to Northern California! Napa’s own Silverado Resort & Spa is hosting the Safeway Open, part of the PGA Tour Fedex Cup. This is a chance to come see some of the best players in the game, while enjoying the Napa lifestyle! This is what you need to know. The Safeway Open | Silverado Resort & Spa | October 4-8, 2017 $40 Daily Ticket, $100 5-Day Ticket | Youth 15 and under free with a paid adult | $10 Parking Tickets Include: Admission to the Safeway Open Concert SeriesAccess to the Safeway Food & Wine Pavilion, Brew Loft, Spirits Lounge and Beers Fore Birdies$10 Safeway Coupon MCNEALY’S DEBUT After some discrepancy over whether he would play golf at the highest rank or launch a potentially lucrative career in business, Stanford University’s standout, Maverick McNealy, is making his professional debut via sponsorship exemption at the Safeway Open. His first pro start will follow McNealy’s second and final Walker Cup appearance, which was his final event at the amateur level. “It’s important to do well in your early on in your career," offered two-time major champion and NBC analyst, Johnny Miller, who is a partner at the tournament host, Silverado Resort and Spa. "It’s easy for guys to get lost out there, especially if they don’t have early success. If you have good finishes early on, it makes it easier when you arrive at those defining moments later on." McNealy, whose 11 wins in his three year NCAA career ties Patrick Rogers and none other than fellow Stanford alumnus Tiger Woods, already has a strong pedigree of being in the winners circle. It would make sense that those wins should translate to the professional game, as winning even one NCAA tournament is a commendable feat in itself. But many Tour professionals -- both past and present -- say the game changes when you turn pro. There is no team to fall back on. It is just you, playing against the best in the world, some that you have been watching your entire life. The Safeway Open’s defending champion, Brendan Steele, weighed in on McNealy’s debut during the tournament's media day. “When I turned pro, there were a lot of things that were new to me. I needed to book hotels on my own. Set up transportation. I don’t know what Maverick’s situation is like but I hope he has a good support system for the transition. In terms of the golf, it could be good that he is playing his first tournament in California, close to where he attended college.” BIRDIES, BEERS & THE BREW LOFT It will not be hard to miss the cold refreshments featured at the Safeway Open. The 11th hole will be buffered by a viewing area like none other. Spectators will be able to taste more than a dozen beers on tap while watching the best throw darts at the over-the-water par-3. If visitors didn't manage to quench their thirst while watching their favorite players on the 11th, more taps will be flowing at the 16th hole where Safeway is featuring Beers Fore Birdies. For every birdie on the 16th hole, beer will be discounted. In last year’s event, 139 birdies were made on the 571-yard par-5, so come thirsty. GRIP IT & SIP IT It wouldn’t be an event in Napa if it didn't include a great selection of wine to enjoy. The viewing decks at the Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion will be the premier destination at the event to enjoy the best Napa County has to offer while enjoying a perfect viewpoint. Football fans will be happy to hear that they won’t have to forgo the weekend’s matchups to attend the Safeway Open, as the 25,000 square-foot pavilion will include a 360-degree sports bar. While watching bombers Jamie Sadlowski, John Daly, and Phil Mickelson smash tee-shots toward the green on the drivable par-4 17th, visitors can visit the greenside Spirits lounge, which will serve a wide variety of cocktails including Daly’s namesake beverage, a hard variation on the classic “Arnold Palmer” ROCK AFTER GOLF If you are still not entertained, the Safeway Open will include a concert series after the round has completed! The concert is included in the cost of admission and will be staged in front of the Silverado Mansion. Gavin DeGraw will start off the series on Thursday, Weezer will come in Friday, and Goo Goo Dolls will finish the action on Saturday.

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